Something is not the Same

 I Have Been Changed For Good

Alright... there's a chance that I've been listening to the Wicked soundtrack a little much these days.  I'm okay with it.  My 16-year-old son is not.  

I digress.  

I have been teaching middle school now for 6 years.  Which is not a lot on one hand... but on the other- it feels like a lifetime.  Middle schoolers change SO much during their time at our school- but then it's crazy to see them after they move into high school... sightings in the wild absolutely blow my mind- they change!  And usually for the better.  I try not to hold their middle school selves against them too much when I see them.  As I hope anyone who knew me in my early teen years would also do.  

However, I also think there is great power in not underestimating these young teens too much.  They are actually some of my very favorite people.  I look forward to going to school almost every. single. day. And that's the truth.  I love getting to know them.  I love hearing about their lives.  I love helping them with their struggles and cheering them on when they need it.  Our teenagers are a powerful force for goodness- but we seem to forget it because they are covered in sarcasm and sass most of the time.  

I want to tap into that here.  I want to talk about the things that are bothering our teens and discuss possible solutions to help.  Things that I notice and see every day.  And maybe we can help our not-so-little-kids out... help see the good and challenge them to be better.