Talking with Eighth Graders

I have endeavored to meet with all the eighth graders before the end of the year. I am soliciting their opinions about everything from how to make the school better to what their hopes and dreams are for the future. They say the darndest things. It is encouraging to hear what they aspire to do and how things could be better. My hope is that I will get real information that is useful and to validate their thoughts about the world around them. They truly are big fish in a small pond and are ready to move on to the world of high school and all its trappings; independence, challenges, and new friends. I am glad I finally have a chance to do this.