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Step 1
Decide what kind of middle school you want to teach in--some are scheduled more like elementary schools, and some are more like high schools. In some schools. a teacher teaches one group of students most or all subjects. In other schools, a teacher teaches one subject and has different groups of students come to her. Visit different school setups to decide what you want.
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Step 2
Investigate your state's certification requirements. If you want to teach all subjects, you'll probably want to get certified in elementary education with a middle school add-on. If you want to specialize in one subject, depending on the grade ranges your state certifies, you may still need to pursue elementary education with a specialization in that subject. Otherwise, you may be able to be certified in that subject for the grade range you want to teach. In Wisconsin, for example, you would be certified 7-12, so if you wanted to teach sixth grade, you would need an elementary certification.
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Step 3
Find a college or university that offers a program leading to the teaching certification you desire.
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Step 4
Complete coursework leading to certification.
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Step 5
Seek out experiences working with middle school students throughout your degree or certification program. This will emphasize your interest in this age group when you put together your resume.
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Step 6
Student-teach or intern at a middle school.
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Step 7
Create a resume emphasizing your experience with this unique age group. Apply for middle school jobs and interview.
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Step 8
Have patience with yourself and your students! Every day will be very different, both because you are a new teacher and because these are middle school students with lots of new things happening in their lives. Realize your lesson plans need some flexibility, as do you.
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Step 9
Put fun things on the walls. This is not just an elementary thing! Middle school kids are still kids and still enjoy this. The same goes for stickers; they can be even more fun now.
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Step 10
Be sensitive to the unique relationship issues students encounter at this age.
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Step 11
Allow opportunities for group work; developmentally, this is a great time for cooperative learning because students are so social.
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Step 12
Give students lots of opportunities to take responsibility and do things for themselves. Adolescents need increased independence. Offer guidance without doing things for them.
