Week 5

          Regarding this week’s reading from AMLE This We Believe, it talked a lot about school culture. One of the aspects of school culture that the text talked about is having a school climate in which there is limited harassment and positive interactions. One way in which the book stated this is when teachers and staff talk to each other in a respectful manner, staff and other administration call students by name, and the way in which students interact while in school. The text also talked about the idea of advisors meeting the needs of every student. The text mentioned that advisors for students can look like someone who is not necessarily a teacher, but a volunteer at a local business, retired teachers, and coaches, etc. It was particularly encouraging to read that advisors would be the person who recognizes behavioral changes in students from their spending time with the student. That advisor would report to the teacher or counselor and action would take place. Not only that, but advisors serve as a great support for middle school student’s enduring drastic change during that time in life. The advisors section reminded me of my own college advisor at Trinity. I think that school advisors in any area of life are beneficial to students of any age. I was able to talk to my advisor about my school issues and as well as my personal life. It was beneficial in college to have an advisor because I was (and still am) walking through new areas of life that I have little experience in. My advisor helped with that transition and prepared me for my upcoming college years. Although a little different than a college advisor, I think that the idea of having advisors in middle school or younger is a great idea. I was a very anxious and emotional grade schooler, who often did not want to be in school due to various life circumstances. If I were to have an advisor, he/she would have been helpful in my academics and my life at school. The advisor would be able to communicate and advocate for me to my teachers and my parents in ways that I did not know how at the time.

          The text also talked about guidance counselors at school. They often communicate with teachers and parents about the student and how to best help. In many of my placements, I have seen the open communication between teachers and counselors, but particularly my time in a 4th grade class. The counselors have been very willing to work with the teacher and determine ways to best help the student in the classroom. The counselor was able to help better give an understanding of what the student was going through at home in ways that a teacher could not have come up with. I have also been in schools where I am not even sure if they have a counselor because they are never there or don’t pop into classrooms. I have seen the difference between a counselor that is actively involved: he/she will go and get their student, talk to other students while in the classroom, and greet the teacher. I have been in other placements where the counselor doesn’t do any of those things and the classroom teacher simply tells the student to go to see him/her. There is a distinct difference in the two scenarios I have seen, given that I do not know what occurs while the student and counselor meet.

          The text also talked about the importance of talking about heath and being active while in school. This is so important, especially in middle school, to make students aware of different topics such as drugs, sex, alchohol, eating habits, and more. This is so important, especially since middle schoolers undergo immense peer pressure. I attended a private, Christian school. I gained a lot of knowledge at my school and I am glad that I went there. However, I do not feel as if my school talked about these topics in enough depth. I remember going to a place called Robert Crowne (I cringe at the name) where they talked about puberty. I don’t remember anything from that experience. I don’t feel that my school talked about sex, drugs, or unhealthy eating habits well because they didn’t want to get ideas in our heads. But that just led us into a lack of knowledge of what to do in those areas or what happens if we try those things. I’m not sure what the case is in other schools, but there needs to be greater emphasis on serious topics in middle school rather than later in high school (if they even happen). I think a lot of the time, we don’t give students enough credit for their maturity. Middle schoolers can handle these topics regardless of the giggles and laughs initially.

          Overall, I thought that the text gave a lot of great insights as to what it means to have a safe, healthy, and positive school climate. I think these ideas from the text can occur with a better understanding and perspective from middle school teachers.