You Are Amazing

A teacher's glowing reminder for middle school girls

Neon signs reading "We can do hard things," "You are amazing," and "Believe" glow in Mrs. Rachel Scott's classroom in purple, blue, and pink, an aesthetic she chose deliberately to appeal to middle school girls.

“I wanted an affirmation wall that wouldn’t feel ’cringy,’” she says. The trendy neon lights create a reminder of resilience and self-worth that students can return to when things feel difficult.

Now in her sixth year of teaching sixth-grade earth science and pre-algebra, Mrs. Scott discovered a gift for guiding girls through a season of big social and emotional change. “In middle school, your body is changing, you’re learning to be independent, you’re learning how to juggle social issues with friends. So much is changing for them. It’s a position of privilege to be with them during this season,” she said.

Each morning, a student flips on the signs, a small responsibility that reinforces ownership and community. The neon words are more than décor; they are a steady, colorful reminder that these girls are capable and valued.