Fearlessly Reaching Out to Some of our Neediest Students

 I saw this blog article on Mindshift  over the long weekend and kind of put it on the back burner to think about later. But recent events at my own school caused me to reflect over the course of my teaching career, thinking about the students I know who needed mental health services and what we could have done for those children. Two questions guided my rereading of this awesome article.  What can the education community do to help those students who suffer with mental health issues? What needs to change at the state, district and school level to offer more support for those kids before they do something desperate to themselves or to others?  I wish the answers were simple. The suggestions are good.  Are they feasible for every school, every district, across the state. I don't know. I just know it is a conversation we must have among teachers, administrators, counselors, and mental health experts if we want to effect change for these students. Here are some links I found that might spark conversation. What do you like?  What do you disagree with?  Please feel free to share your comments. At least, talking is a start.

Mind/Shift Blog by Linda Flanagan

http://www.schoolmentalhealth.org/

http://time.com/3479351/mental-health-schools/

Genius Hour

I heard about genius hour last summer when I attended my first ISTE conference. I was intrigued by the idea of giving up class time to give some autonomy and voice to my students, and I found Chris Kesler to be amazing! I want them to let their passions drive their creativity and innovation. The students become fearless learners!  This school year, I've pondered and processed this whole idea of genius hour, but I confess, I have not really implemented it. I was not fearless. So, next school year, we are going to give it a try. I will complete the FREE online course on the website below and truly take the first fearless step!  Who's with me? 

Genius Hour, the website

Fearlessly Teaching Middle School Students

We are finishing out a year of school with only 2 weeks to go. My colleagues and I are ready for summer, and I don't have to tell you how excited the students are. I've noticed over the last couple of weeks that they are less patient with each other, with their teachers, and with themselves. The teachers (me included!) have to consciously add an extra dose of patience in our interactions with our students. We tell the students,"Just hang on, it's almost over" and "Remember to THINK before you speak or act." Middle School students are special. This is the time in their lives when they are no longer little, but not grown enough for the "grownup privileges" they crave. These are the kids that will tell you in one breath, loudly, that they are NOT A CHILD! and in the next breath ask you for a band aid for the bruise they got when their locker door hit their arm. They are hormone magnets with emotional ups and downs that rival a roller coaster. I admit, I worry about them every day. Students come with baggage, and for a middle schooler, sometimes the baggage can hurt more. They are becoming more aware of the world around them and the space they occupy in it. So not only are they dealing with issues but they are aware of how those issues affect them and their families. Awareness of your environment and all the implications that entails is a hallmark of growing up. And sometimes it hurts. It hurts because the middle schooler is not grown up enough to cope with often very adult problems. They know something is happening and they feel powerless to deal with it. The laughing bubbly student we see in the hallway may have problems we aren't even aware of. She fights battles we can't conceive and maybe don't even want to contemplate.  But we do. We middle school teachers deal with each child, giving out extra doses of patience, extra time, extra attention. That's what we do. Even in the last two weeks of school.
Middle school teachers are special. So, when you see a middle school teacher, give them a smile and maybe a hug. They deserve it.