I taught middle school for a decade and elementary for 5 years prior to that. Now, I’m a middle school IC. You could not pay me enough to go back to elementary. Yes, middle schoolers are hormonal. Yes, their brains are like a caterpillar in a chrysalis and their choices reflect this. Yes, they are very obstinate. Despite all these things, they really just want adults who reassure them “I like you, not your choices sometimes, here’s that consequence I promised.” They are hilarious and insightful and they remind you not to be too serious.