She walked like a penguin as we headed toward my office. It was a familiar waddle that looked as though her toes were not able to bend as they usually do when walking. I looked down and my familiarity with the waddle was confirmed: she was trying to avoid creasing her fresh Air Force 1’s, the same exact kind of sneakers that were popular when I was in middle school 13 years ago. I think I convinced my parents to let me buy Air Force 1’s in at least five different colors.

I have been working as a Prevention and Intervention Specialist (read: counselor) at a middle school since September 2014, and I am realizing that I have never before reflected so much on my own middle school years. All of the students’ angst, identity searching, drama, and silliness, as well as the staff and teachers’ reputations among students, have been frequent reminders of my three years in middle school.

Those three years were three very awkward and refining years for me. Middle school marked the beginning of growing up for me. We had open campus for lunch, and were allowed to go off school grounds for our lunchtime. Being in Manhattan, my school’s location was perfect for quick lunch trips to Burger King, pizza places, Chinese restaurants with cheap take-out prices, delis, and the best fried chicken wings in the neighborhood. Part of growing up was learning to choose my own meals. I certainly made countless unhealthy food choices. But, the freedom to choose was awesome!

Simon Baruch Middle School was a very diverse school. I believe this is where my journey of social identity really launched. I was a floater between social groups, and had no trouble finding someone to hang out with. Among the friend groups that I spent time with, there was rarely a majority or minority ethnicity because everyone came from a different ethnic background. This experience of multiculturalism in friendships set the norm for my social identity and is reflected even in my adult life now.

Middle school was also the time when I got my first cell phone, my first digital camera, my first MD player, my first AIM screen name, and my first CD. I played a lot of basketball, was into playing Magic: The Gathering for a year, got hooked on playing competitive Tetris online, and then developed an interested in playing handball (with the blue rubber ball). I started taking public transportation alone, walked to explore parts of the city further away from home, had my first major crush on a boy, and started candy trends among the kids at church. I rarely smiled, had a lot of changes and challenges going on with family, and felt most comfortable in basketball shorts, a t-shirt, and my Air Force 1’s.

It was also during middle school that I broke down in tears in response to the gospel for the first time, and learned how to play guitar so I could be on the youth group worship team when I got to high school.

When I reflect on my middle school years, I realize that those were the years when many interests, hobbies, and passions were sparked in me for the first time. Though I no longer rock my middle school outfit, I still enjoy basketball, guitar, Tetris, exploring cities, and walking in the faith.

I often forget how significant those years were for me.

I am so grateful to be a part of the experience for middle school students that I get to counsel and advise. What an incredible opportunity to impact the next generation.

Liz Chang resides in Seattle, WA and works for Navos as a substance abuse prevention & intervention specialist at a local middle school, and as a child and family therapist. She graduated from Seattle Pacific University with a Masters of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, and is working towards certification as a Chemical Dependency Professional.