There's a saying that goes something like this: "Those who can, do; those who can't, teach." That's a rather harsh thing to say for professional educators in America today. In our classes, we shape America's future. We take raw talent, and then proceed to hone and refine it into the leaders of tomorrow. It's not a responsibility I take lightly, and neither should you!

Those adolescent years can be rough, challenging, and sometimes downright frustrating for middle school teachers (such as others like me). As professional educators, we play a major role in the lives of those students who enter our classrooms. The 1989 Carnegie report on early adolescence, entitled Turning Points, stated that the ages of 10-15 is the last best chance for youth to build those steps into having a successful adulthood. And you and I are instruments in that very process. Professional educator? That's what you are! It is a profession that you have chosen, and you are responsible (in part) for the education of America's youth. That's a heady task, and we need to be up to the job.

Today's youth are seeking for a place to fit in and get acceptance from their peers. Youth who are 10-15 years old are growing through what can be an awkward time of their lives; they are faced with physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual challenges. They are looking for boundaries to keep them in line, although once you set them, they will fuss and debate, and give every reason under the sun why they want to do it their own way. But there is good news, because most youth will stay fairly close to the boundaries that were originally set for them.

Parents, teachers, and other adult authority figures are still looked up to by youth for guidance, authentic approval, and support, and you and I are in such a position. When was the last time you earnestly worked to develop a lasting relationship with those bright-eyed students in your class?

I have some students who like to hang around just a little longer than they probably should, and they want to take time to chat and find out how things are going, or just talk about the latest and greatest technology with me. Believe me, there are intense pressures on my time with a full teaching load! But I absolutely love it when they want to be with me, or they like to give as well as receive hugs, because that indicates that they trust me, and we have a real relationship that is growing and vibrant. It's a scary thing when the parents of your students tell you, "My son loves you and your classes." I wouldn't trade that statement for all the tea in China! That's what motivates me in this profession.

Not all youth have disdain and scorn for us, even though there may be times in which they may come across with the supposed "I hate all adults" mentality. So in light of that, we need to be guide them gently and gradually from a place of total dependence on us to one of independence. Setting reasonable behavior limits in class and at home today help prepare them for successful living tomorrow.

You and I can make a difference. The family, and society in general, is under strong attack today. We see divorce breaking apart families, debt is skyrocketing, and it seems that government wants more yet from our paychecks. There are more demands for our time on top of an already overloaded schedule, and when we step into our classes, demands to educate some of the roughest of society and get done what needs to be accomplished are overwhelming. We sometimes begin to wonder whether it's worth the hardship at all.

It is, I assure you. Hard-to-reach students are just hard-to-reach. You have to find different and innovative ways to do that. It comes with a willingness to learn and understand what world those students are living in, and then make your move. Even though we have the position of professional educator, we still need to learn, by becoming pupils ourselves. Learning about how our students learn, think, what interests them, what concerns or worries them, are a few of ways that we need to start learning about our classes and the super-duty role we play in the lives of our students. Each student in our classes is still moldable, and we must share as much knowledge and guidance as we can impart to ensure that we have done our part to prepare them for a bright future.