Middle School Matters!

By: Gordon Beinstein 

This is my be my 32nd year in education. I taught for 14 years at Central Middle School from the late 80’s to the early 2000s and am entering my 18th as an administrator, that past 7 here at Western. More importantly, (or more incredulously?) all of this time has been spent with 10-15 year olds. Thirty plus years and I have yet to graduate middle school! I have recently come to an epiphany! (or perhaps it’s heartburn?) We do not simply teach English or Math, or Social Studies, or SPED, or ESL or Art, etc. We teach children. We teach them how to communicate effectively, advocate for a cause and respect cultural differences. We coach them in how to deal with success graciously and failure gracefully. We help them to become more empathetic, consider the perspectives of others and build their resilience. We aim to produce young men and women who can think on their own, collaborate with others, conduct themselves ethically, and contribute to their communities. In time, your children may fail to recall the ‘elements of plot’, the ‘order of operations,’ the causes of the Civil War or how to solve for ‘x’. However, what will shape them as they move forward are the relationships they forge and the above mentioned characteristics. It is these traits which will endure, long after the information asked for on assessments has faded from memory.

I love the passion, the curiosity, even the ‘mind-numbing’ decisions that your children make as they struggle through the most emotionally, physically and intellectually tumultuous three years of their lives. I also understand that where students stand academically and socially by the end of 8th grade is the greatest indicator of future success; even more so than socio / economic factors. This is why these three years are the most important in your child’s educational life. It disturbs me when I hear people comment that ‘middle school doesn’t matter.’ While it is true that the grades and transcripts do not follow them to high school, the habits they learn here do. It is these habits that will predict their future success. We matter a great deal! What does this all mean: We have a huge responsibility and one which Western takes very seriously. Yet, we cannot forget that we aren’t dealing with numbers but with children. We will be humane in our approach without ever losing our sense of purpose. That is the challenge we will face together!

We do not do this work alone. The need for a strong school/family partnership has never been more vital. While I have the utmost respect for the work that goes on in schools, I am not naive enough to think that we have the most influence on the growth of a child. That distinction belongs to the family. We ask that you work with us as we help your ever-changing children navigate this complex world. Together, we can shape these young men and women into citizens of whom we can all be proud! I look forward to taking this journey with you.

I leave you with the following quote: Something to think about as your kids drive you crazy …you are in good company!

The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers.

Socrates: (469-399 B.C.)

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