27 Nov Boost Middle School Motivation
Brooklyn Letters
1139 Prospect Avenue, Brooklyn
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We would highly recommend Ally! Our son always asks about her, so very thankful to Brooklyn Letters for introducing us.
~ Emily, mom of Brooklyn 2 year old -
Nicole has been an amazing therapist!! She played a tremendous role in our daughter’s speech progress and overall development. She has come such a long way and we are so happy with the therapy she received!
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I cannot express how grateful and rewarding my experience with Brooklyn Letters has been. Her tutor Ms. Daria is so knowledgeable, amazing, kind and awesome. My daughter has made so much progress in Literacy and Math and it's all … More thanks to Ms. Daria. I know my daughter is sad that she can no longer work with Ms. Daria, as she looked forward to their sessions every week. Thank you again!
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Excellent services, caring therapists.
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Christina was absolutely wonderful. She went out of her way to win my son over and it worked. He looked forward to her visits and his speech improved so much under her care. She was super flexible and it’s clear she truly cares. We adore … More Christina and we’re going to miss her. Almost sad he improved so much! She’s simply amazing and we can’t say enough how great she is. I would recommend her services to anyone and everyone, without hesitation. Thank you so much for connecting us with her!
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We could not be happier with the services Valerie provided! She is very thoughtful and knowledgeable and provided significant guidance to support our daughter's speech development outside of our scheduled sessions. She established … More a great working relationship with her, and she will definitely be missed! Your business model is amazing and it was an absolute pleasure working with Valerie. I've referred your organization and Valerie to the Executive Director of our daughter's school and friends/colleagues who are in need of speech therapy services.
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We cannot say enough good things about Effie, the ASL teacher, who was so engaged and effective with our 2 year old daughter from the very first session! Effie gladly included our whole family in the sessions! Her expertise and fantastic … More personality gave our daughter a way to communicate that she was so desperately seeking. The coordinators at Brooklyn Letters were so helpful and communicative…I would highly recommend their services!
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The company is great with outstanding customer service. They keep my horses protected. I have recommended them to other horses trainers as well that are going to get service early next year. Very professional an honest too. Respectfully … More submitted Christopher
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Ron and Ken did a fantastic job with our security system today. Installed everything very quick. Both of them were very polite and asked us throughout if the installation met our needs. Simply fantastic!
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I called Cornerstone Protection to get a Security system at a relatives out of state property, within a week it was installed! The installers worked with the client to help understand her new system and she was happy! Our relative said … More they were courteous, professional and patient! I highly recommend Cornerstone Protection for all of your security needs!
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Had blink cameras; Car was broken into multiple times so I called CornerStone & they were able to install multiple cameras very quickly & for a reasonable price. I am so happy with the app & getting alerts that are not superfluous, … More like they were with Blink. Highly recommend CornerStone & the tech Ronnie.
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Ron and Ken are great guys to work with.
Both were very knowledgeable and got our system back up and running.
Thanks to both for a job well done... -
Samantha Dalmas was fantastic! We saw her for a feeding therapy evaluation and while she doesn’t think my daughter needs more feeding therapy sessions at this time, but she gave me lots of tips to try. If my daughter's doctors want … More to see more progress at her next appointment, I wouldn’t hesitate to reach out to Samantha again.
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Amazing assistance provided by Shannon today on my security system. I’m so grateful for your prompt, efficient, professional, and courteous service. Put me down as a customer for life!
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One of the most painless experiences I've had. They came on time and was over the moon professional with still keeping a level of personability to it. The gentleman also went out of his way to say that my husband and Mines business … More was appreciated. Which is actually rare to be appreciated by such a great company. So thank you and we look forward to continuing services with this company.
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I am so happy we decided to go with cornerstone. They were quick and efficient. Shannon and the installer we very friendly. We got a lot of equipment and it was still within our budget. 10/10 would definitely recommend! Thank you
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Love the customer service and Shanon and his team go above and beyond for my restaurant. Couldn't of asked for a better security system and level of service that his team provides.
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I have been using Cornerstone Protection service for over 5 years and I'm really happy with the service and state-of-the-art equipments and it's futures are so much in advance and friendly, I highly recommend Cornerstone Protection … More Service any and all business that need a security protection days and nights specially after business hours(Cornerstone Protection is perfect solution for your business). Owner of Cornerstone Protection is proactive with their customers and their equipments. Good experienced with Cornerstone Protection!!!
Kanu Patel -
We had a very positive experience with Alissa as a tutor for our pod of 5th grade boys from January - June 2020. She cared a lot about the boys and worked hard to create meaningful activities for them. The pod experience was invaluable … More for all of our families during a difficult year and we were so grateful to have found this partnership! We also want to appreciate Craig for helping to match us with a tutor on very short notice after we had cycled through a few folks who were not able to see the commitment through. Thanks for sticking with us!
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Dusty was the exact person we needed to help our child finish out the school year. So grateful to him for the way he steadily encouraged her and helped her stay on track and organized. He is flexible, responsive to our needs/schedule as … More a family, and a delight to be with. We are also thankful that Craig at Themba Tutors really "gets it" and partnered us with such a wonderful tutor who was a great fit for our girl.
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My child worked with Gillian D virtually for math enrichment. She is an excellent teacher. She took time to understand my child's specific learning style and provided tools that would be engaging. She was kind and empathetic- really … More made it her goal to connect with my child and build trust and rapport. My child started the school year with confidence and without the typically "brain-drain" that occurs over the summer, thanks to Gillian.
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I am going into my second year as a Themba tutor. I have met so many great individuals while working for this company. Craig and the rest of the Themba team do such an excellent job picking and choosing Themba tutors that suit each client's … More individual needs! I look forward to meeting new tutors and clients in the 2021-2022 school year!
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Our son started in a new high school, 100% remote, and was really struggling with Latin and Physics. I found Themba Tudors online and had an initial call with Craig, who was very knowledgeable, responsive, and found 2 amazing tutors for … More us. Both the Latin and the physics tutors were fantastic, connected with my son really well and helped him go from 'failing' grade to 'honors'! I will for sure continue using (and recommending!) Themba Tutors. Thank you, C, K, and W!
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Brian is a fantastic executive functioning coach. Super helpful, flexible with hours, and tailored the experience to our needs.
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Giulia Mercuri is a great Italian tutor! She was very responsive and accessible. Giulia put a ton of effort into preparing for each session and really helped our son with test preparation and projects. We are grateful that she was able … More to help, especially since our son did not receive any live teaching during COVID. We are happy that she was referred to us!
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As an adult student diagnosed with a learning disability during grad school, I knew I needed help dealing with my Master's program's demanding workload. I was seriously considering dropping out when I was referred to Themba Tutors. … More I was paired up with a wonderful tutor, Julie, who was a total lifesaver. I learned many techniques that I can utilize in the future as I embark on the next phase of my career.
I can wholeheartedly say after working with Themba for two years that I would not have finished my program without this organization. And I am so thankful I selected them. -
We were introduced to a wonderful tutor: Mcedwyn. He and our son, a freshman in college, worked well together. As a result, our son’s grades significantly improved. The tutor taught our son subject content and various methods to effectively … More study for quizzes and exams. Our son was also taught time management and organization. My son’s experience with the tutor made the first year of college a less intimidating experience.
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We have been with our tutor, Cailin Schiller, for two years, from 5th - 7th grade. She started as an executive functioning tutor with my daughter. From the start, she demonstrated a depth of expertise and a selective use of techniques skillfully … More adapted to my daughter’s ADHD and Math disability. Cailin made Math accessible and understandable to her in a way that even her teachers had not been able to do. She differentiated reading, writing and math tasks and assignments to tailor them to my daughter’s unique learning differences. Not only did it have an effect on her grades and her work efficiency, but she finally could do her work with less anxiety. Even my daughter’s teachers used Cailin’s guidance to modify their work with her. But most importantly, she became my daughter’s favorite resource. I can’t say how invaluable Cailin has been to my daughter’s progress and well-being. I’d recommend her a million times over. She is a gem.
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Victoria is a superb tutor. She helped my high school age daughter with her writing. Victoria's skills as a tutor, as well as her sense of humor and her engaging personality went a long way with my daughter.
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Themba Tutors provided a leaning specialist that was a perfect fit for my daughter. I told them what we were looking for and they delivered. Our tutor is responsive and flexible and makes it easy for my daughter to reach out to her own … More her own, which gives her an added sense of responsibility over her learning. As a therapist myself, I now regularly recommend Themba to my patients. A much needed and well provided service to the community!!
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The tutors at Themba are fantastic! Caitlyn McNeill helped our son academically, but also with getting organized in every subject, which he so desperately needed. She offered great advice and useful strategies that helped our son become … More a more successful student. We are using Themba tutors again this year for our daughter. We're so happy to have been referred to them!
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I'm so glad we were referred to Themba Tutors. After a great initial conversation to learn our needs, we were connected with an excellent tutor, Felicia, who is helping our high school daughter learn better organizational and executive … More skills. Highly recommended.
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We had a wonderful experience with our tutor Micaela. She helped our son not only academically but at every level. We will be forever grateful to have her in our lives.
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The tutors at Themba are fantastic! Caitlyn McNeill helped our son academically, but also with getting organized in every subject, which he so desperately needed. She offered great advice and useful strategies that helped our son become … More a more successful student. We are using Themba tutors again this year for our daughter. We're so happy to have been referred to them!
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Paul Smith at Themba has been an exceptional tutor for my son, both in terms of teaching the subject matter and teaching how best to approach the process of learning math and executing assignments. We feel very fortunate to be working with … More Paul.
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We were very lucky to have found Edwouine Swift, my son's therapist through Themba Tutors. Thomas is 12 years old, and it is extremely difficult to get him to write. Edwouine just works her magic with him, he adores her and is so … More eager to follow her guidance. I have no doubt she will be a positive driving force in his academic future.
WHY THE MIDDLE SCHOOL MOTIVATION CRASH HAPPENS AND HOW TO FIX IT
How to Boost Middle School Motivation
Middle school is often described as one of the most unpredictable stages of childhood. According to psychologist and author Dr. Lisa Damour, depending on the day, a middle schooler can be 14 going on 4 or 14 going on 40. She points out that this is an age when kids need to know they are lovable. Unfortunately, this chaotic period, where insecurity and identity are being affected, often impacts motivation and success in school.
A child who once rushed to finish assignments suddenly turns into someone who avoids even simple tasks, and the shift often confuses parents. Parents often expect middle school to feel like an upgrade from the elementary years. How do you ensure that your child maintains or increases their level of motivation and focus to deal with the higher academic requirements of middle school? That’s exactly what we’ll find out in this article.
Understand that School Culture Plays a Big Role in Student Motivation
The middle school years are when many students begin wrestling with their sense of who they are as people. Small interactions with teachers, staff, and peers can influence how they see themselves. A positive climate makes students more willing to try, ask questions, and take part in class activities. But when the environment feels unsafe or dismissive, their motivation drops.
Recently, a gym teacher in a public school in Carmel County, CA, threw a cone at a student, striking him under the eye. However, the investigation into the matter ruled in favor of the teacher, who will likely get his job back.
These situations and incidents cause more physical harm than people expect. This is because they often trigger insecurity, resentment, and, in extreme situations, affect personality development based on how their peers reacted. On the one hand, you’ll have justifications that public school teachers are overworked and stressed out. However, that is no excuse.
In the above situation, it would be perfectly normal for parents to read about the incident and choose or switch to a private middle school in Carmel instead. The fact is that children in middle school are in a very delicate time in their development. This is why it’s crucial that the environment they’re in helps instead of hinders them.
As All Saints Day School explains, parents want their children to attend an inclusive institute where kindness is encouraged and kids can have joyful learning. They are already navigating an emotional rollercoaster, so predictable adult behavior becomes a stabilizing force in their day.
Nothing Destroys Motivation To Study Like Bullying
Bullying is unfortunately still a major issue in many schools, and the effects reach far beyond temporary embarrassment. The reason bullying can have long-term effects is because of the state of the brain in that period, says clinical psychologist Dr. Jessica B. Stern. Likewise, kids rarely talk about how horrible being mocked is, says Dr. Dorothy Espelage, another psychologist and bullying expert.
A child who feels targeted begins to use their energy to stay emotionally safe rather than academically productive. School stops feeling like a place to learn and starts feeling like a place to survive.
If your child decides to open up and talk about bullying, it’s important that you listen without judgment. A child needs space to describe what is happening in their own words. Another important action involves working with the school. Start documenting incidents, follow up consistently, and request clear monitoring plans that help your child feel safer.
You can also encourage your child to find a supportive ally because sometimes, even having one friend who stands with them can cause bullies to lose interest. It also goes a long way in helping your child feel like they aren’t all alone against their bullies.
Give Your Child A Little More Autonomy
Middle schoolers reach a point where they want to feel capable and trusted. When everything in their daily routine is decided for them, motivation tends to shrink because they begin to feel powerless. Autonomy gives them a sense of ownership over their choices, and this ownership becomes a powerful spark that brings effort back into their schoolwork and daily responsibilities.
According to Phyllis Fagell, a school counselor, middle school is the time when kids become acutely aware of any perceived weaknesses in comparison to others. While it’s natural to want to be closely involved, autonomy and self-advocacy skills are crucial. Without them, kids will have difficulty navigating other situations later on in adulthood, says Erlanger Turner, a clinical psychologist.
Of course, autonomy does not mean letting children make every decision. You simply choose specific areas where independence is appropriate. Parents can let their child decide which assignment to start with, how they want to organize their workspace, or which after-school activity they want to commit to.
These small freedoms teach responsibility in a manageable way. They also lower resistance because the child feels heard and respected. Over time, these small choices build internal confidence.
This is because a child who believes they can handle small responsibilities becomes more willing to tackle bigger ones. Their motivation grows because they feel capable, trusted, and part of the process rather than controlled by it.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What age is a middle schooler?
Middle schoolers are usually between 11 and 14 years old, depending on the school system. It’s that in-between stage where kids aren’t little anymore but not quite teenagers either, so they’re figuring out a lot about themselves and their social world.
2. What is considered bullying in middle school?
Bullying is anything that repeatedly targets or hurts a student—physically, verbally, socially, or online. It includes things like mocking, exclusion, spreading rumors, threats, or any behavior meant to intimidate. In middle school, even “jokes” can cross the line if one kid is always the target.
3. What is the hardest year in middle school?
Most students say 7th grade is the toughest. It’s when the work gets harder, friendships shift, and kids are dealing with major emotional and physical changes. It’s that awkward middle year when everyone’s adjusting, and things can feel a bit overwhelming academically and socially.
Ultimately, the middle-school motivation crash can feel confusing and discouraging, especially for parents who remember a more enthusiastic child from earlier years. It’s key to remember that these changes are caused more often by developmental complexity than disinterest.
With patience and the right strategies, children will begin to reconnect with their strengths and rebuild confidence. It just takes parents and educators working together to provide the right learning environment.
Contact Themba Tutors now!
📞 (917) 382-8641 | 📲 (833) 565-2370 | ✉ [email protected]
Craig Selinger
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