Educating middle school students

MFLTC creates Arizona’s first middle grades teacher prep program.

Early adolescence can sometimes feel like learning how to drive on a winding road with lots of detours and confusing signage. This stage of life is often about breaking away from childhood, starting to test rule limits and learning to navigate all sorts of terrain. 

Middle school educators have a unique role in guiding early adolescents during this developmental crossroad that is also critical for college and career readiness. Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College recently launched the only middle grades teacher preparation program in Arizona to prepare educators to work with youth during this unique life stage, which is often defined as between the ages of 11 and 14.

Carlyn Ludlow, who is the associate division director of undergraduate programs and clinical associate professor at ASU’s MLFTC, shares how the new program is designed to address these academic and human development needs in grades 5-9. Ludlow is a former middle school social studies teacher.

What makes middle school students unique?

Middle school students are at a unique crossroads—they are no longer children, but not yet adults. They are literally navigating a new world where they learn to move from one teacher to many teachers, from one classroom full of peers to class periods surrounded by a rotating group of peers. It is a significant shift, and middle school teachers get to help students maneuver this uncertainty as they discover who they are and what they want to become.

Research by developmental scientists into brain development in the preteen years indicates that the brain undergoes a “second spurt” of development during this stage. As their teachers, we have the opportunity to guide students through these transformations. This transition makes the role of a middle school teacher both challenging and rewarding, as we witness and support the growth of students in real time. 

What are some of the areas where educators can have an impact on middle school students?

Middle school is where foundational skills are solidified. We teach them critical thinking, problem-solving and the ability to work collaboratively. These skills are not just academic; they are skills that will serve them throughout their lives. This is also the time when students begin to take more responsibility for their learning. We help them develop study habits, time management skills and the ability to set and achieve goals. At this age, students are naturally curious and eager to explore new ideas. We have the opportunity to ignite their passion for learning. Whether through a science experiment, a historical debate or a creative writing project, we can inspire them to see the world in new and exciting ways.

What did you find surprising about teaching middle school? 

There’s something special about this age group that makes them so wonderful to work with. Their combination of humor, curiosity and energy means that no two days are the same. When middle schoolers connect with a teacher, they can be fiercely loyal. They often rally around their favorite teachers, creating a supportive classroom community. Middle schoolers also have a unique sense of humor that can be downright hilarious. They love to joke around and enjoy being creative, which makes for a lively classroom atmosphere. When we embrace their energy, we build strong connections and can make learning and teaching fun.  

How important is it for educators to develop expertise in human development?

Middle school is an emotional rollercoaster. Students are dealing with friendships, crushes and all sorts of social pressures. They are incredibly sensitive to what their peers think, which makes it a crucial time for us to create a supportive classroom. The middle grades program at MLFTC emphasizes human development as part of the learning process so that students can apply that knowledge to reach middle grade learners where they are emotionally and academically. At this stage, students are demonstrating critical thinking skills and asking deeper questions. As educators, we can capitalize on that intellectual curiosity and design lessons that challenge them even further. 

What are some different approaches to teaching middle school compared to other grade levels?

Middle school often allows teachers to create engaging project-based and interdisciplinary learning approaches. We can mix subjects and get students working on hands-on projects that connect to the real world, as is done in service-learning experiences. This not only keeps things fresh for us as teachers but also makes learning exciting for the students. 

At the school or district systems level, some approaches that can be effective include pairing students with advisors and mentors to help them through middle school, as well as creating interdisciplinary teams of teachers to encourage positive relationships with students. These and other recommendations are outlined in a report by Chiefs for Change called Middle School Strategy: Leveraging the Science of Learning and Development to Inform Education in Middle School. Strategic school staffing models, such as those being advanced through MLFTC’s Next Education Workforce™ initiative, can also serve as a foundation for these approaches. 

What are ways that MLFTC can help candidates prepare for working with middle school grades—what does this new program offer that is distinct?

Teacher candidates will learn from faculty teams that include people like me who have taught middle grades ourselves. As with all MLFTC teacher preparation programs, this program emphasizes research-to-practice connections. Students learn how adolescent development impacts learning as well as how to create inclusive learning environments, design and deliver meaningful instruction, and assess learning. We have individualized academic and support services to ensure that our students have the resources they need to succeed throughout their academic journey and in their own classrooms. Through these supports, we encourage the development of teachers who have not only the academic background to be effective educators but also the heart for working with adolescents.

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Learn more about the MLFTC middle grades education program, which prepares graduates to earn an institutional recommendation from ASU for Arizona teacher certification in Middle Grades Education, and an endorsement in Structured English Immersion, PreK-12, from the Arizona Department of Education. In order to teach in an Arizona public school, graduates must pass the appropriate Arizona educator exams: National Evaluation Series or Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments.