Adolescence is a period of transition that we will all experience. What sets adolescence apart is that it is a time in our lives that connects what we experienced in our childhood to the development and formation of the individuals we will become as adults. This particular area of ​​psychology requires a focus on the developmental abilities, strengths, and needs of young people. There is a lot of research that focuses on adolescent development and its social, emotional, and psychological impact on an individual. While research that supports youth development is ongoing, it is extremely important for educators to focus on adolescent psychology in order to be well-versed in the concepts of youth in the context of education. Taking this course allowed me to deepen my knowledge in this area with a strong emphasis on theories that have shaped the way we think about adolescent development. Not only did I learn about youth development, but I also had the opportunity to reflect on my own upbringing during my teenage years and perhaps find answers to questions I had never bothered to to lift at the time. I take learning about adolescent psychology very seriously because as a future educator, it would better prepare me to be culturally competent in the classroom. Instead of making judgments about my students' behaviors or attitudes, I would try to understand them from the cognitive level in which they are. As a future teacher preparing to enter a middle and high school next semester for my student teaching experience. Being in the education field will allow me to delve deeper into the principles and practices of adolescent education, consider my role as an advocate, and reflect on how you...... middle of paper.. .... Information document for adolescents. (nd). Plastic surgery and adolescents. Retrieved May 9, 2014, from http://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/briefing-papers/plastic-surgery-for-teenagers.htmlRoberta G. Simmons, Blyth (1987). Transitioning to adolescence: the impact of puberty timing and physical characteristics. The socio-psychological effects of puberty on white men, 131-170. Office of Adolescent Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (nd). Office of Adolescent Health. Retrieved May 9, 2014 from http://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/resources-and-publications/info/parents/just-facts/puberty.htmlWasserman, RM, Holmbeck, GN, Lennon, JM and Amaro, CM (2012). A longitudinal assessment of the timing of early puberty as a predictor of psychosocial changes in adolescent girls with and without spina bifida. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 37(7), 755-768.