Ms. Eutsey, one of GEMS’ seventh-grade math teachers, has recently transitioned from teaching at a high school to the middle school level. So, what’s it like to make the shift from high school to middle school? What are the differences?

One of the key things Eutsey has noticed is that middle schoolers tend to be more energetic, while high school students are generally calmer and more collected. She also observed that middle school students are often focused on building relationships and friendships, whereas high school students are more in the process of discovering themselves. Behavior also differs significantly: middle schoolers can be more clumsy and immature, sometimes even falling out of their seats or throwing things across the classroom. In contrast, high school students tend to be more concerned with what’s going on internally in their own lives, rather than being so focused on external surroundings.

Of course, transitioning between grade levels comes with its challenges. Eutsey mentioned that sports seasons at GEMS feel like they fly by too quickly. Another challenge has been motivating students, especially as she adjusts to teaching a younger age group. Despite these hurdles, Eutsey is excited about the opportunity. She chose to come to GEMS after the school sought a new seventh-grade math teacher, with her other option being Twelve Bridges. She ultimately decided to stay at GEMS because the school is closer to her home, and her own children attend the school. She also wanted to provide stability for the community here.

Ms. Eutsey’s teaching methods have evolved with the change in age group. In middle school, she focuses on providing more support, ensuring students have the materials they need and giving them time to collaborate in groups. She also uses color-coded information to help students organize what they need to write down during lessons.

In high school, teachers often juggle teaching three or four subjects and have more people to collaborate with. At the middle school level, teachers generally teach one or two subjects, and there’s a smaller, more close-knit group to work with. Additionally, middle school students attend six classes, while high schoolers have eight.

For Eutsey, teaching at the middle school is a fresh start, but she’s excited about the new opportunities it offers. She’s looking forward to helping her students thrive in this new setting.