The name of this school is Einstein Middle School NOT Albert Einstein Middle School which is located in a different state (California). Einstein is NOT to be confused with Albert Einstein, they are different things. That was made abundantly clear in the two years I went to school here. We covered that Einstein was a family name and Albert Einstein was not the only Einstein rather one of many. A subtle/not-so-subtle way of highlighting the importance of family through the curriculum. I still think it is a kind origins to name a school after a family. So many things were/are named after individuals that it was nice to be attending a school that was founded and centered on the importance of family by being named after a family. I felt that way when I attended here (2004-2006) as well.
This school is for 7th and 8th grades. I attended for the whole grade for both 7th and 8th grades (I was 12 years old in 7th grade and 13 years old in 8th grade). We used the trimester system while I was there. The mascot is the Tiger. Combined with Einstein that makes the elongated version the Einstein Tigers. A principal was Mr. Dunbar both years I attended Einstein Middle School.
The physical education classes here changed my life. In order to prepare for our physical fitness assessments (the Beep test and the Fun Run) I started running and lost 40 pounds over the course of approximately two trimesters. That snowballed in to a more active lifestyles on a day-to-day basis outside the sport season (I swam, played soccer, and tennis from a young age). As a result I developed self confidence and honed my self-motivation and self-determination skills. Which are useful life skills to have and continue to strengthen to this day.
Health classes were also good, not as squeamish as those who took them before those in my grade made them out to be. Foreign languages were not required for middle school, however three years of a foreign language were needed for high school. If you took two years in middle school they would count towards your high school requirement and you would only need to take one more year in high school. I took Spanish for two years and was fortunate to have the same amazing teacher both years.
I enjoyed the selection of electives, some of the ones I took included Cartooning, Sculpture I, Sculpture II, Web Design (through which I learned to code in HTML), and Home Economics (sewing and cooking/baking). I also was a Teacher T.A. for a physical education class and Home Economics. The skills I developed in these electives I have continued to develop over the years and integrated into both my life and career. One of the activities I partook in was yearbook. We took great pride in designing and making the yearbooks and the school had a day dedicated to year-book signing each year.
Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, and English I had both grades. I liked the subjects covered and diversity of approaches to teaching used. Seventh grade was the first time I bought a mathematics textbook to keep. We also had a period called Enrichment where we learned about various social issues and how to combat problems such as cyberbullying. Some of the tips and guidance provided in regards to cyberbullying I continue to use to this day. We covered other topics as well that were aimed at further enriching our education.
My first and only school food fight happened here during one of the school lunch periods. Most of us made a dash for the exit when we realized what was happening (myself included). Someone threw yogurt and some of it got on my bag before I got out. It was a bit of a ruckus and school bell schedules and operations changed as a result of this event. At least that is how we interpreted it at the time and the next couple years that followed.
Teaching here was overall amazing. Individually and collectively the teachers (and administrators) did an excellent job. In my two years I only one negative experience from my perspective in regards to schooling. I had a teacher lose one of my assignments, give me an F, find the assignment and not change the grade even though he was the one to lose it... What a douchebag. I suppose the silver lining is that this happened in middle school and not high school where grades play a role in determining where one goes to college. Still this experience did not detract from the excellence of the other teachers for me, and on the whole I have fond memories of this school.
Go Einstein Tigers!!! read more