You may get some odd questions when interviewing for a teaching job; here is a sample answer you may need.
Question: “How would you describe middle school students?”
Answer: Middle school students are qualitatively different from younger students. Early adolescents are at a different and usually challenging physical and emotional development stage. Kids begin to create, seek their self-image, try new behaviors, and wonder. Improving student-teacher relationships should always be at the forefront of your mind.
Students at this age can be sensitive. They seem mature but can lack the experience to understand the changes they encounter. Many find coping with the ever-changing academic and personal expectations and requirements challenging. Some students worry about their ability to learn and keep up. They are torn between the desire for independence and to accommodate adults’ expectations.
By this stage, most students have begun developing the ability to understand symbolic ideas and abstract concepts. Piaget observed that most learners in this age group operate on the concrete level of intellectual development. At this level, students only see black-and-white issues, not shades of grey as adults do. Students have a strong sense of justice, and abstract concepts may be discussed but are less often understood.
Most Students Share the Following Characteristics
- They are curious and willing to learn things they consider helpful.
- Enjoy solving “real-life” problems.
- They are focused on themselves and how their peers perceive them.
- Resist adult authority and assert independence.
- I am beginning to think critically.
Middle School Social Development
Most middle students experience conflicting values due to their changing roles within their family structure and peers’ increasing influence. Generally speaking, most students share the following characteristics:
- They desire to feel like they are part of a peer group of teens influenced by peer pressure, peer approval, and conformity to their group.
- They prefer active over passive learning activities that involve working with their classmates.
- Require frequent physical activity and movement
- Need adult support, guidance, and calm direction
If you understand how middle schoolers think, you can adjust your teaching style and behavioral management. Demonstrating a comprehensive knowledge of early adolescent behavior will make the hiring choice much easier for a school district.
If you need help preparing for this or any other interview question — never fear! Candace is here to help.
