Who's in charge here?

I've been teaching English for almost 20 years.

While in college everyone ask me, "What grade do you want to teach?"

I always answered, "Anything other than seventh." You can probably guess what happened. I put in applications everywhere. There just weren't any openings. In late July, I was beginning to panic. I was retracing my footsteps - going back to schools where I had already put in an application. Finally, an opening and an offer. Teaching seventh and eighth grades.

I have taught at different levels, but honestly, I love seventh graders. They are unique little people. They make me laugh. And I love to watch as they process new information.

I'll never claim to have all the answers. But I know what works in my classroom. This is where I'll share that info.