Understanding 7th Grade: What Every Parent Needs To Know

Seventh grade can feel like a rollercoaster for both kids and parents. In this episode of What Great Teachers Know That All Parents Can Use, Peyten Williams sits down with Shazeen Porbandarwala, a seasoned seventh-grade math teacher and grade chair at The Westminster Schools, to unpack the unique challenges and incredible growth that define this pivotal year. With warmth, wisdom, and insight drawn from years in the classroom (and her own parenting journey), Shazeen shares what really goes on in the minds and hearts of seventh graders. You'll walk away with practical advice, developmental insights, and the reassurance that you're not alone in navigating this exciting (and sometimes baffling) stage of parenting. Shazeen currently serves as the 7th Grade Chair at The Westminster Schools, where she has taught for 12 years. She also teaches Algebra. Shazeen holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Emory University, graduate degrees from Georgia State University and Lincoln Memorial University, and she is pursuing a doctorate in education at Johns Hopkins University, focusing her research on cumulative low math achievement and mindset. Shazeen also serves on the Board of Trustees at Trinity School. Outside of work, Shazeen has two children and enjoys playing pickleball, traveling, and cooking.