Future all planned out

My first adventure in teaching middle school was in a small rural town, teaching 8th grade at the local middle school. The school operated by using the teaming method, which works really great. I was the sped teacher for the two eighth grade teams that year.

The best advice that I go t that year was, you will either love them or hate them. There is no in between. At first I thought it was interesting advice, but have come to firmly believe this myself. Here is part of the reason I have come to love my middle school kids.

I was in the hallway during a class period, going from point A to point B. When one of my students comes up to me and wants to tell me about his life plans.

Student: Hey Ms. D! Guess what!

Me: What?

Student: I have my whole life figured out!!!

Me: Oh, please do tell because I have yet to figure this yet.

Student: Well see I have a girlfriend. I really love her and I am going to ask her to marry me soon, using my grandmothers ring.

Me: Really

Student: Yep.. and we don’t have to worry about kids, because she already has one. You know cause she already has one. She’s older than me which is good. She’s like 19. (He’s 16 at the time)

Me: And how are you going to get money for this family? Housing?

Student: Oh no worries! I’m going to work at McDonald’s to support us, and we are going to live at one of our parent’s houses until we get enough money.

Me: Ok then!! Let me know how that works out for you!

Student: Thanks Ms. D