Middle school years can be some of the most difficult.

by Paul Holbrook - Assistant Principal/Athletic Director

Middle school is an amazing time in a person's life. It is the time of self discovery. It is a time when we, as humans, work to figure out who we are and where we belong; a time when friendships may change daily and your best friend may be a couple of feet taller or shorter than you; a time when children are uncertain about themselves and feel vulnerable to everything. They wonder, "Is that person looking at me?" If they are, why and what does it mean? Rarely is a quick glance or a stare thought of as a good thing. Middle school students are self conscious. If a person says hello to them, they wonder what that person meant by saying hello because "hello" couldn't really mean "hi" or "how are you doing?" Life isn't that simple in middle school. My point is, middle school aged children are very complex and uniquely different. Many children may experience many of the same things, but the way each individual processes and expresses those feelings may be completely different. This makes working with and understanding adolescents both challenging and rewarding.

My own years spent in middle school were some of the most difficult of my educational experience. Looking for acceptance from peers and trying to find a safe haven from the acts that can so often befall adolescents consumed many days. Coupling this with trying to progress academically made it clear...school could sometimes be a pretty stressful place. My middle school years had a large impact on me, and they became the catalyst that drove me to become an educator. I know other educators I've worked with had similar reasons for wanting to work in education. Our own school experiences drive us to make a difference for the kids we work with and motivate us to make Marshall Middle School a better, safer place for our students.

Lastly, I need to share, we at the middle school care deeply about the physical and emotional well being of each student. We work diligently to connect with our students and strive to create an atmosphere that allows students to be individuals without persecution. We make a concerted effort to listen to students' concerns and try to find solutions to their worries or problems. I would like to say that we have success with every situation. But, the truth is, we do not. We are not always able to find a solution to a given problem, and sometimes results come slower than parents, students, and those of us at the school might like. However, just because we do not always get the desired results, does not mean we do not care or we have not tried. I do not, nor do those I work with, profess to be able to solve every problem or answer every question. I can only state we all have a strong desire for growth and I am willing to listen and learn from our students, parents, and others. Please know you may stop in, call, or e-mail a suggestion, question, or concern at anytime. I may not be in my office when the phone rings or when you visit, but I will strive to make contact with you as quickly as possible.

For more information on this topic, contact the Superintendent's Office at 781-1250, extension 1105.

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