The middle school years are by far the hardest years in a student's life. They are confused and need someone to walk them through this journey. In the book, Fires in the Middle School Bathroom, Kathleen Cushman and Laura Rogers talk about some of the continual back and forth that middle school students experience during this time.

• Middle school students want teachers/staff to see them as mature, but many of them still look like children
• They want to be treated as more independent, serious young people, and they still want to have recess
• They want to learn really interesting, "hard" things, but they want to learn them through games and activities
• They want to be treated fairly-"just like everyone else"-and they also want us to make exceptions for them when they make mistakes
• They want our recognition for what they do right, but they don't want anyone else to see us give it. 
• They want to experiment with the rules. 

Can you see how difficult this age group can be to navigate? All the back and forth. I think it might be the only time in someone's life when they really do not know why they do what they do.

It is a challenge, but every day, I am given an opportunity to impact a student's life. I am a strong believer in getting to know the students' on a personal level. I want to know their names. I want to see how I can help them. I have a strong desire to see students succeed and make a difference in a student's life. When people find out that I am a middle school principal, they are always surprised. They often make comments like "there is no way that I can do what you do." I tell them over and over again that I enjoy what I do and do not want to do anything else. I am thankful and blessed to be in a leadership position where I can make a large impact on a student's future. Thank you for this opportunity.