They want to learn.
Just not the way we teach them.
So we listened.
Middle schoolers are asking for more relevance, more responsibility, and more real-world learning.
Explore the findings:
🔗 listeningtomiddlegraders.org
Supported by @Britebound
#StudentVoice #MicroSociety

At Eugenio Maria de Hostos MicroSociety School, students are gaining real-world, hands-on experience through Micro, where three days a week they run their own ventures—both for-profit and nonprofit. Students earn a weekly paycheck and take on real job responsibilities, building From working in a post office and advertising agency to serving in government offices and more, students are learning what it means to be part of a thriving workplace.

It’s never too early to learn about business! ✨#YonkersMagic

🗳️ 🇺🇸 Scottieland Elections 2025 are in full swing, our future voters can’t wait to for the results! 🐾📊 A big THANK YOU to the @EP_Elections for your continued partnership in helping our students learn the importance of civic engagement. 💙🤍❤️
#FutureVoters #EPCountyElections

Even our Kinder, 1st graders, faculty, and staff showed up to vote — proving that every voice matters and student voice is powerful! 🗳️🐾 #FutureLeaders #StudentVoice

💰 Our students dove into financial literacy today during MicroSociety lesson! They explored the power of money—learning how to earn, save, spend, and donate wisely. Real-world lessons for tomorrow’s leaders! 🧠📈 #FinancialLiteracy #MicroSociety #FutureReady

A special visit from Superintendent Xavier De La Torre and Board of Trustees member Connie Woodruff as we celebrated Boss’s Day with our amazing leaders! 💙🍎 @AVillanueva_AP @SagelandMicro #BossDay #scotties

Durable skills like critical thinking & communication are key to success—so why wait until high school to build them? Join us at @ASUGSVSummit w/@ASA_Impact to explore #middleschool skill development! #ASUGSVSummit 📅 Tues, April 8 ⏰ 3:00-3:40 PM PT bit.ly/4kENWBI

We’re thrilled to be named a 2025 @ASA_Impact grantee! 🎊
With ASA’s support, we’re scaling our work to help middle-grade students explore careers, build skills, and shape their futures. #careerreadiness #careerexploration #microsociety
Learn more: bit.ly/3DI4us9

“I loved being a web developer because we got to design [our sites] in our own way!” - Mikayla at #MicroCon22, where students from @PHCSE shared what they thought of Micro 2.0, our new digital-first version of #MicroSociety. They love it!

#KidsInCharge #AskTheKids #webdesigner

“The future belongs to the curious… the ones who are not afraid to try it, explore it, poke at it, question it, and set it free” #MicroCon22

"Create a post about the wisdom of children, and you will get back great results." - LinkedIn #influencer Richard DiPilla at #MicroCon22. He says #teachers can build their influence in society by making quick daily posts featuring positive messages. #spreadpositivity

Micro Mindset Metaverse is awesome! What a fun way to interact with technology and Micro. #MicroCon22 #AskTheKids @SagelandMicro @SagelandMicroES @mrnavas #YISD

"Invest in creating a culture where students want to be and want to work." - Wayne Banks, author of the new teacher/facilitator #MicroSociety Business Day manual, speaking at #MicroCon22. Developing intrinsic motivation thru #work in a society is central to how we drive learning.

Day 2 of #MicroCon2022! @Dr_Armstrong tells us to stoke the natural #genius of kids by creating a "genial" environment conducive to #imagination, #play & creativity. When kids invent a new #MicroSociety venture, “that’s the genius of childhood and adolescence manifesting itself.”

Be an #authoritative #teacher, not an authoritarian one. “Give students a rationale for what you’re doing and why it matters” – that’s how you build #trust in the classroom and a safe place for learning, says Kimberly Tan, speaking at #MicroCon22. #MicroSociety #education

"Children will tell you the #truth. They will tell you things you may not be ready to to hear but that you need to know." - Dr. Nadira Jack of Jersey City Global Charter School at #MicroCon22, where we are challenging #MicroSociety #educators to #AskTheKids and give them power.

Why have courageous conversations?
At #MicroCon22, Dr. Karla Manning says they allow us to:
-Create community
-Foster common ground
-Dispel stereotypes and biases
-Decrease fear of differences
-Broaden our horizons
-Enhance feelings of belonging

#MicroSociety

Q to attendees: What is the #MicroMindset?
As from attendees:
"Creating a safe environment that allows students to take risks and leadership opportunities."
"Letting go. Giving kids control. Having trust in the process."
#MicroCon22 #AskTheKids #MicroSociety

"It's not just about kid's voices, it's about putting them in the center." - Dr. Kiana Smith, speaking at #MicroCon22, where educators at #MicroSociety schools are diving deep into the #MicroMindset and learning that's driven by students. Learn more at microsociety.org.