The Home Stretch [Youth Ministry & Getting My Middle School Education Degree]

It’s almost May—which means I am nearing the end of the semester and about to enter my final year of college in August. I’m almost to the home stretch! (CUE ALL THE PRAISE HANDS. AND ALL THE CONFETTI!)

I am currently studying Middle School Education with a concentration in English/Language Arts and Social Studies. In my program, I spent time this past semester in several middle school classrooms, teaching sample lessons, and observing teachers. In the Fall, I’ll be in one classroom two times a week, having the opportunity to observe and teach. The following semester will be my last semester of college, where I’ll be full-time student teaching in the same classroom I will have spent Fall semester.

I currently work as a contractor for Orange Students, which is part of a company called Orange. Orange Students helps youth leaders by providing strategy and resources for them to influence the next generation. At Orange, I primarily work on the Middle School curriculum team, as well as with the High School curriculum team.  

I’m sharing this because in the thick of my education classes currently, and over the next two semesters, I’ll be spending a lot of time with middle school students, in the classroom, and writing lessons. So many times, I find myself using what I am doing at work to help me with something in my education classes, and using what I am learning in my education classes for something at work.

When it comes to my education classes, I’m constantly asking myself, “How does this translate to youth ministry?”

I believe there is so much value in both. That’s why I am choosing to get my degree in Middle School Education. Not only because I love to teach, but because I believe, among many other things, that understanding teaching strategies, learning styles, and the development of middle schoolers is super important to effectively reach students where they’re at as a youth worker.

So I want to invite you to wrestle through these questions with me! Over the next year, I will be posting about what I am learning and working on in school and how I think it translates to youth ministry. I’d love to hear your questions, your ideas, your pushback, and your experiences as we all try to figure this thing out together for our middle schoolers!