Navigating Middle School

Speaking directly to students from an informed and experienced perspective, Navigating Middle School: A Guide to Friendship, Growth, and Self-Discovery by Dr. Roger M. Jack is a resource-rich read offering a wealth of practical knowledge for young students. From facing the universal struggles of self-esteem and identity establishment to implementing strategies for good mental health and educational engagement, this book highlights the foundational opportunities and rewarding challenges of middle school. Written with the age group in mind, the book is well laid out with bullet points, highlighted tips, and interactive worksheets, while the real-life examples are both relatable and instructive. It will take a certain kind of student to dive into this book, as not every child is necessarily ready for a work of self-help, but this cumulative journey of advice covers the gamut of issues, and can ease a student’s concerns before and during the transition.

Editor, SPR

As a school psychologist, I am constantly seeking new and fresh resources that can effectively support the emotional and social development of middle school students. They need this now more than ever!

Cree Brooks, M.A., Ed.S, NCSP

Nationally Certified School Psychologist

“Navigating Middle School” is a book I would highly recommend for middle school students, parents, educators, and counselors seeking a comprehensive guide to navigating the challenges and opportunities of middle school.

Diana Betz, B.S., M.C., NJSCA, BCSCA

Certified School Counselor

Loved it! From goal-setting to friendships, a practical toolkit of skills and knowledge about navigating various aspects of middle school.

4-star Reedsy Review

Dr. Roger Mark Jack is a first-time author and accomplished educator with over two decades of experience in K-12 education. He has been a Teacher Leader, Assistant Principal, Seal of Biliteracy Supervisor, and Multilingual Specialist at a college in Maine. His academic journey includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Film from CUNY-Brooklyn College, a Master’s Degree in Literacy Education from the University of Southern Maine, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of New England.

Growing up in Trinidad and Tobago and transitioning to life in the United States on a soccer scholarship, Dr. Jack’s experiences are both relatable and motivational. His personal journey and professional insights shape his work, making him a beacon of inspiration for students and educators alike.

As an author, Dr. Jack has written Navigating Middle School: A Guide to Friendship, Growth, and Self-Discovery, designed to help middle school students thrive. His writing emphasizes resilience, overcoming hardship, and the importance of faith and perseverance. The book was inspired by his experience as a long-term substitute teacher in 2006, when a refugee student’s question—”Why don’t teachers smile at me?“—left an indelible mark on him and motivated him to ensure a better middle school experience for all students.

Dr. Jack is also dedicated to community service. He has served on the Teacher Leader Committee for the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE), as a school board director, a youth soccer coach, and currently as a member of the Delaware County Commission for Immigrant Affairs.

Dr. Roger Mark Jack lives in a Philadelphia suburb with his family. He enjoys going to church, playing soccer, traveling to Maine to visit friends, and playing board games like Catan, Risk, Wingspan, or their favorite family video game, Minecraft Dungeons. He fondly misses his family and homeland, Trinidad and Tobago.