The middle school years are important for social and emotional learning, and the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated social-emotional learning needs. At this age, young people are paying attention to the social world and exploring their identities and need learning environments that respond in kind. Jessica Shiller and Inte'a DeShields describe a model for middle school learning built on their need to connect with their peers, learn about their cultural identities, and receive social and emotional support. Pairing college students with middle schoolers, the model for literacy instruction produced positive results.