Let’s discuss the elephant in the room…the classroom that is:

Let’s get one thing straight: teaching middle school is not for the faint of heart.

You are entering a world where deodorant is optional, emotions are unpredictable, and sarcasm is practically a second language. But if you can laugh through the chaos and learn to love the weirdness, teaching middle school might just be the most rewarding job out there.

Here are some “interesting” (but very real) tips to help you not just survive—but thrive—in the middle school jungle:

In my opinion anyway…

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1. Accept That You’re Never the Coolest Person in the Room
And that’s okay. Even if you think you’re trendy, have a TikTok account, or know how to dab—don’t do it. Just… don’t. Middle schoolers can smell desperation.

Just when you think you understand the next trend, or studied their language and try to use it in daily conversation, it changes, and you’re back to knowing nothing. So just accept that most of the time, you know nothing, and that’s okay.

2. Be Prepared for Random Facts (and Questions) at All Times
You’ll be knee-deep in a lesson on verbs or how to write an introduction when someone suddenly asks, “Do you think pigeons have feelings?” Just roll with it. Bonus points if you turn it into a teachable moment.

3. Stock Up on Extra Supplies
Because they will forget their pencils. Every. Single. Day. Even if they just came from math class with one. You’re basically running a small office supply store out of your desk.

4. Master the Poker Face
Middle schoolers are hilarious—sometimes unintentionally. But the moment you laugh at something inappropriate, they’ll think it’s a green light to turn your classroom into a comedy club. Stay strong. Smile on the inside.

5. Don’t Take the Mood Swings Personally
They love you, they hate you, they forgot you assigned homework, and then they love you again. It’s not you. It’s the hormones.

6. Set Boundaries, But Keep a Sense of Humor
They’ll test limits, but they also love teachers who are fair and fun. You can be the “cool” teacher without being the “do whatever you want” teacher. A well-timed dad joke or a themed dress-up day goes a long way.

7. Find Your Fellow Middle School Warriors
You need a team. A group text. A place to vent about hallway chaos and mystery smells. These are your people. Cling to them like the last dry erase marker that still works.

I have one, and they’re my lifeline on the good days and bad. So find your people. You know, the ones you want to bother during plan time without really planning.

8. Celebrate the Weirdness
Middle schoolers are figuring out who they are. They’re awkward, loud, quiet, brilliant, confusing, and often all of those things in a single day. The best thing you can do is let them be themselves while gently guiding them toward something better.

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Bottom Line?
Middle school is messy. And noisy. And often smells like a mix of Axe body spray, gym socks, and whatever that thing is in the back of their locker. But it’s also full of life, laughter, and lightbulb moments that make it all worth it. I love my students, really, I do. They’re the reason I come back to teaching year after year. I love the challenging ones, the ones who always ask for more, the ones who don’t listen and the ones who do. ALL OF THEM.

So if you’re in the middle with them—you’re doing something incredible. Keep showing up. Keep laughing. And keep a stash of emergency chocolate in your drawer at all times.

You’ve got this. ✨

No cap.