I choose teenagers

What words do you associate with the word teenager? By the reaction I get when I say that I teach junior high I have a feeling that a lot of negative words come to mind. When I say I teach/taught junior high these are common phrases...

"Oh bless your heart."

"Oh you are so brave."

"That is a hard age group."

And the list could go on and on. Yes it is true... it is a hard age group, but I love them and I chose them. It was the perfect fit for me. Yes, they are awkward, and sometimes cruel, but they are so impressionable and cute at the same time. Oh I just love them and miss them and they make me laugh. They also give me strength. One of my favorite, most memorable lessons I ever taught was a lesson about Sacajawea. I had the students get in a circle and we discussed the difficulties that Sacajawea had to deal with in her life. We then went around in a circle and one by one shared something that was difficult in their life. They shared, they were mature, they were so wise. Sometimes teenagers get a bad reputation, but they are good and they are strong. This evening I have been reading notes left by many of my students on facebook to our little one who passed away. They have such hope. They have courage and faith and love. Yes I chose teenagers and I choose teenagers.