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MIDDLE SCHOOL, OFTEN CALLED THE “IN-BETWEEN” phase of youth, is a time of transition and transformation for young adolescents. While it may seem like a period of hormonal chaos and uncertainty, it’s also a crucial time for personal growth. Middle schoolers embark on a journey of self-discovery and exploration, and one significant aspect of this journey is learning to take risks.
through a nurturing relationship with teachers who approach mistakes with kindness and warmth, supporting students to pick themselves up and try again. Students get comfortable with taking risks in the Lower School, through everything from optional enrichment activities like Lower School Chorus and submitting jokes for assemblies to leading the lunch table and assisting younger “buddies” during cross-grade activities.
Risk-taking in middle school plays a pivotal role in shaping a student’s character and development.
“How we talk about risk-taking here at Peck is really important,” explains Head of Lower School Ashley Tabor. “We acknowledge positive risk-taking by talking about courage and awarding Job Well Done Tickets to students for going outside their comfort zone.”
“Learning only happens when you are outside of your comfort zone,” says Chris Weaver, director of curriculum & faculty development. Peck faculty deliberately create spaces for risk-taking opportunities throughout a student’s journey at the school, first in small, private ways and progressing to more significant and public moments. This might mean presenting in front of your homeroom or grade before you speak in front of your division or the entire school. At the root of developing this comfort level with taking risks is the development of trust with faculty. That trust is cultivated
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Building the courage to take risks is more effective when coupled with student reflection. “One of the things reflection does really well is it gives you a sense of what’s possible,” Weaver says. “You look back on situations and think of different ways you could handle them. As your definition of what’s possible expands, you give yourself permission to take risks.”
