In order to successfully teach middle level children, the teacher needs to be aware of her own view of learning and preferred teaching styles. Even more important than this, however, is for the teacher to have an understanding of early adolescent development and the implications it has in educating middle school children.
When I think of students and how they learn from teachers, I don't visualize little pots waiting to be filled or blank slates waiting to be covered up with information. The role of the teacher is to guide the students and facilitate their learning, not just to tell students what to know. Teachers should help students take new information and make sense out of it, not just memorize it. Learning should be experienced in some way, whether it's acted out in a play or manifests itself through a self-chosen research topic. It is especially important at the middle school level to give students information that they find interesting and help them discover the relevance of this information to their lives, as they will most likely experience thier peaks of curiosity at this level and discover interests, academic and otherwise, that will persist in their futures. I also believe a hands-on approach should be used whenever possible to ensure that any children still functioning in concrete operations, which will be the majority, can benefit from hands-on experiences.
Middle level teachers have a huge but special responsibility. In addition to teaching our students academics, we will have many opportunities to guide them in appropriate social decisions and actions. We will take part every day in shaping our future generation. I don't care how silly some people may think that sounds- I believe it is an awesome responsibility and privilege. I'm not looking for perfect students and I don't expect to be a perfect teacher. I won't put that burden on my students or myself. However, I will do my best for my students and they will do their best for me. I will strive to maintain an atmosphere of mutual respect where my students will feel safe in every way and be open to learning. I will have high expectations of them and believe in them even if they don't believe in themselves. And in my classroom we will learn together.