The importance of student engagement in schools is ever-increasing, particularly in the middle years area. Student achievement is directly linked to a student's level of engagement. Middle years teachers have a responsibility to work hard to understand the needs of their adolescent students, establish connections with their students, and provide them with the opportunities to become decision makers in their own education. Building relationships with students, providing rich educational experiences, and creating positive learning environments are the keys to student engagement, which leads to student success in the middle years.