By Farrah Cureton, Tiffany Wilson-Pugh, and Dr. Yuvraj Verma
The first six weeks of a new school year are essential. In middle school classrooms, those weeks are not just a warm-up. Rather, they are the foundation on which the entire school year is built. What happens during this crucial time period can make or break the year for both students and teachers alike.
Every grade level benefits from strong starts, but middle school presents unique challenges due to shifting identities, emotional rollercoasters, and growing independence. Therefore, a clear, consistent, and relationally rich approach to the first six weeks is paramount.
Farrah Cureton is a science teacher at Bessemer City Middle School in Alabama. She holds both a BA and an MEd in Elementary Education from Alabama State University. Cureton is pursuing an EdD in Educational Technology from William Howard Taft University.
Tiffany Wilson-Pugh is a veteran social studies teacher at Bessemer City Middle School in Alabama, with over 24 years of teaching experience. She holds a BA in History from the University of Alabama, an MAEd in Secondary Social Studies Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and an MEd in School Counseling from the University of West Alabama.
Dr. Yuvraj Verma is a TEAMS math teacher at Bessemer City Middle School in Alabama and an Adjunct Professor of Graduate Education at William Howard Taft University in Colorado. He holds a BA in Sociology from Iona University, an MAT in Elementary and Special Education from the Relay Graduate School of Education, and an MBA in Healthcare Administration, EdS in Education Administration, and EdD in Technology and Leadership from William Howard Taft University.
