A new middle school learner this year is years behind when it comes to social / emotional behavior. While he thrives at academics and is years beyond his peers in subjects like reading and writing, the area of growth we focus on with him are social / emotional. Though he is in middle school, we meet him where he is at (developmentally to what you would compare to a five or six year old). This is not shared in a manner of embarrassment or shame; rather, it is shared because we approach these conversations in love as we recognize this is what he needs to grow in. Just as Jesus meets us where we are at, that is our deep desire with each learner.
Here is a little more backstory: At a young age, their family moved to Pennsylvania away from extended family. He attended a local public school and struggled with peers and being bullied. He was homeschooled for a year because of his social anxiety and fear of going to school. Their family’s house burned down this past summer in a fire, which spurred on a move back to West Michigan to be closer to family, and with hopes to find a school that would meet his needs. They visited a few Christian schools in the area before the start of this school year.
After his visit at Bethel, he immediately said, “Mom, Bethel’s where I want to go.” His presence has blessed our community as he peer edits papers and as he shares his writings with us. I believe he will be an author some day. We have witnessed him grow in his social anxiety. When his doctor asked him about his school, and what their transition to Michigan has been like, he shared: Bethel is the BEST school in the world! I would give it a 12 out of 10.
