Evolution of the Middle School Student in the Last 4 years: The Good and The Worrisome

1. What might bring an educator back to teaching from retirement?

2. What were some of the salient changes that you noticed in the middle school student?

3. Is it COVID or screens or both or neither?

4. Middle school student is struggling with learning, grammar, math, spelling, etc. Why?

5. What are some strategies that you employ as a teacher to overcome these challenges?

6. Do you allow cellphones in your classroom?

7. How have smartphones impacted your parenting?

About Rhonda Sillesky

Marketing Director, HGI (Hegemon Group International) and Educator

"This is my 28th year in education. Four years ago, I retired to go into business for myself in financial services, which I still do on the side. I received a call in March 2023 asking me to come back into the classroom and it absolutely felt right, so I jumped back in. After all, it is my passion and I certainly feel it is what I was called to do! In the few months I have been back in the classroom, I have some fascinating observations about some of the changes I have seen in the middle school child in a short four years.

I am the proud mother of two beautiful daughters, 22 and 24 years old. They have always been a big part of my “why” as an educator!”