Chrissy Emmons: Building Community Through Middle School
This year marks Chrissy Emmons’ 23rd year teaching Middle School, the last 11 of which have been with Canyon Middle School.
This year marks Chrissy Emmons’ 23rd year teaching Middle School, the last 11 of which have been with Canyon Middle School.
This year, she is again teaching 8th-grade History and is in her third year of teaching Ethnic Studies as an elective. She also serves as an AVID Coordinator, a program that helps students with average grades learn to advocate for themselves as they move through high school and toward a college or career skill path. Last year, she celebrated the graduations of nine of her original AVID students and is looking forward to more.
In her career, Emmons says Middle School is a critical place where teachers, staff, and parents help shape student education and their appreciation for the place they live. To this end, she advocates for more involvement at all levels to ensure the students actively participate in their community.
The Forum sat down with Ms. Emmons to understand more about the Middle School's role in our community and the critical lessons for parents and school partners to support student success.
“I’m a middle school teacher, but I am also now a parent of a middle schooler myself,” Emmons told the Forum. “I think to understand middle schoolers, and just this stage in life is to realize that they are still kids. They are kids who still need to be able to know that people care about them. They're not ready to be pushed out into the world and be completely independent. They need to know that adults care about them, whether they are family, friends, teachers, or staff members, and that we will go to bat for them.”
Emmons started her career in San Francisco and moved to Castro Valley to buy a home. She says the experience has been fulfilling because the students see representations of themselves through various posters and displays featuring influential individuals from diverse backgrounds, both past and present, in her classroom.
“On my desks, I highlight influential Americans from different communities to help students see themselves in what we are learning,” Emmons says. “I also share pictures of my family and my interests to humanize our space and emphasize that we are all in this together.”
As the year progresses and students produce work, she replaces posters with student creations to empower them and instill pride in seeing their work displayed for others to appreciate. She also sets up students in small groups, encouraging collaboration and support.
“This setup helps prevent feelings of isolation and promotes a supportive learning environment,” she adds.
While Middle School teachers and staff support student success, Emmons advocates for community participation in middle school, including volunteering in the classroom, being active in a school fundraiser, or attending a school sporting event.
“Even if you don't have a kid there, show up,” Emmons says.
For example, teachers appreciate adults coming in to view career days and talking to kids about their experiences of colleges or various professions, she said, which is one way the community could support students and help them explore what's out there.
“It is crucial to build relational capacity with our students,” Emmons says. “Students of all ages and levels need to feel welcomed and safe every day when they walk through our doors. As educators, we have the power and responsibility to create these spaces and show up for them. We might not know the weight on their shoulders, and they might not see ours, but by finding ways to learn about and care for each other, we can create a special and meaningful learning environment for everyone.”