What pisses me off?


The fact that some middle school students do fuck all at school, and know that they won't be failed. Hell, kids aren't even given "F" anymore, it it "R" for "Remedial". The fact that some have this sense of entitlement to EVERYTHING, including grades that they have not earned. The fact that the parents of said students have the EXACT same attitude. Why the hell should the students have to work at getting an education? They and their parents know that they will all just get pushed right through the educational system.

Yes I am all for having all students feel successful (the theory behind not giving failing grades) but at what point does this become detrimental for the students? In "real life" they certainly will have failures that they will be unprepared for and won't have the tools to deal with them, and will be unable to help themselves.

The fact that as a teacher, I have to deal with the repercussions of such attitudes. Sometimes, it seems like a losing battle. I had a shitty Monday.

you're there for the maybe one or two students that do give a fuck and want to make something of themselves.

I just replace "bad grades" with "crippling psychological abuse."

You're in middle school?

Posted by willskith You're in middle school?

I think she's a teacher man.

I was being sarcastic...

There is no room for that here.
F for Fucking not Funny

Posted by willskith I was being sarcastic...

Posted by willskith I was being sarcastic...

My bad, I just woke up when I typed that.
Half asleep and shit.

Posted by Samurai you're there for the maybe one or two students that do give a fuck and want to make something of themselves.

Yes indeed, and they are the ones that keep me going back

Middle school kids always seem to be the worst behaved kids of all the age groups. They are just beyond the point of being innocent and nice, and just before the point of being smart enough to negotiate with. I do not think I would have the patience to deal with them.

One thing I was wondering: do they all have cell phones at school now?

Posted by Seventh Stage Middle school kids always seem to be the worst behaved kids of all the age groups. They are just beyond the point of being innocent and nice, and just before the point of being smart enough to negotiate with. I do not think I would have the patience to deal with them. One thing I was wondering: do they all have cell phones at school now?

They do. They are not to have them in class with them, but they manage to sneak them in places. If we see one, we confiscate it. They tend to do things with the camera on their phones of which their parents would not be proud.

I try to remember what it was like when I was in middle school, but it is just different now. We were a more innocent bad.

I honestly think, as the generations go by, Kids are getting stupider and so are some of the parents that let them slide. Our society is getting dumber.

Posted by sYnOnYx I honestly think, as the generations go by, Kids are getting stupider and so are some of the parents that let them slide. Our society is getting dumber.

Point taken, "stupider" isn't a real word.

My boyfriend is currently a substitute teacher until he lands a permanent position.

Whenever they send him to the middle school (which is extremely rare), I ask him "how was your day in the snake pit?"

I had a psych teacher that told me once upon a time that kids should be sent off to "pick berries" during their middle school years, as they are absolutely useless.

Posted by spirit730 They do. They are not to have them in class with them, but they manage to sneak them in places. If we see one, we confiscate it. They tend to do things with the camera on their phones of which their parents would not be proud. I try to remember what it was like when I was in middle school, but it is just different now. We were a more innocent bad.

It's good that you do not allow them in class. When I look back to middle school a lot of it was defined by it being a controlled environment. To have phones or other tech gadgets that link you to the outside world would seem to unbalance the power structure.

Posted by MutantMandias I just replace "bad grades" with "crippling psychological abuse."

Hehehehe I LOL'ed, as this is EXACTLY what I replace it with ;)

I read an article (in like... 6th grade) somewhere that described the interaction between the neurons of adolescents as similar to that of a "brain-dead" adult.

Posted by jukebox fuckup My boyfriend is currently a substitute teacher until he lands a permanent position. Whenever they send him to the middle school (which is extremely rare), I ask him "how was your day in the snake pit?" I had a psych teacher that told me once upon a time that kids should be sent off to "pick berries" during their middle school years, as they are absolutely useless.

That made me chuckle...I have never heard the "pick berries" solution to the middle school years. I love it.


The grade 6 kids aren't so bad. The grade 7 kids are getting there, and the grade 8 kids are really a challenge. It isn't as bad as I perceived it to be, but still very difficult at times.

Posted by spirit730 The grade 6 kids aren't so bad. The grade 7 kids are getting there, and the grade 8 kids are really a challenge. It isn't as bad as I perceived it to be, but still very difficult at times.

I had almost an entire degree in elementary ed., specializing in mild/moderate SPED and English. Wanted to teach middle school. I left the program literally RIGHT before I did my student teaching hours (all I had left to do) because 6t and 7th graders ruined me during practicum hours ;)

I now sit at a quiet desk in a quiet room and edit boring things. I love my job. <3

How many years have been teaching?

There is a sweet spot for middle school kids that is awesome and a true joy to teach. Around 12, most kids are getting smarter and more aware of the world around them... they are at a peak of optimism, they are idealistic, and they think anything is possible. Their eyes sparkle, and they are genuine and honest.

When I get a class full of kids like that, it is fucking on. Magic happens in there.

But it is fragile, and once the change starts, it comes fast. Like apples in a bag, one kid going over the edge can speed up the other ones.

And then, for the most part, it is the most unpleasant part of life, both for them and for anyone who has to be around them.

Fucktards.

Posted by MutantMandias There is a sweet spot for middle school kids that is awesome and a true joy to teach. Around 12, most kids are getting smarter and more aware of the world around them... they are at a peak of optimism, they are idealistic, and they think anything is possible. Their eyes sparkle, and they are genuine and honest. When I get a class full of kids like that, it is fucking on. Magic happens in there. But it is fragile, and once the change starts, it comes fast. Like apples in a bag, one kid going over the edge can speed up the other ones. And then, for the most part, it is the most unpleasant part of life, both for them and for anyone who has to be around them. Fucktards.

I agree completely. I started teaching about 9 years ago. I began teaching grade four and they were great. About 4 years ago I moved to teach grade 4 in a a k-8 school, and quite frankly was very intimidated by the grade 7-8 students. They were terrors. Long story short, the school was then converted to just a middle school and I either had to move schools again, or teach 6-8. I stayed, and realized that actually teaching them instead of being on the peripheral makes a huge difference.

I teach art to seventeen different classes. Grade 6 and 7. Some classes the magic happens on a regular basis and I LOVE my job. Then there are the few classes that I dread getting...they are the fucktards (love the word) that make me want to say mean things and not give a fuck if I lose my job. Of course I never would say mean things to them, (and I do love my job) but it can get very frustrating.

Last year I taught six grade 8 classes as well. I was very excited to do many different art projects with them, thinking that because they were older they would be able to create some interesting and more complex works. Some did, but for the most part they broke things and didn't give a shit.

I am inspired right now. I am doing photojournalism with my grade 7 students, and they are coming up with fantastic ideas.


Mutant: What do you teach?