Serving Up the Learning

This summer with the return of their Regional Summer Skills Sharpening workshops, the New Jersey Association for Middle Level Education continues its commitment to providing professional development experiences that are purposeful, practical and productive.  The learning begins in Point Pleasant on July 16 at Memorial Middle School, continues in Marlton at Marlton Middle School on July 23 and concludes with the finale in Somerville at Somerville Middle School on August 6th. All three workshops last from 8:30-12:30, include three breakout sessions and door prizes that accompany the closing remarks.

This year's focus " We Bring the Learning to You" is particularly appropriate because that is specifically what NJAMLE hopes to accomplish by providing a variety of breakout sessions presented by outstanding educators that include Technology, Stem, Literacy, SEL and Mathematics for starters. ( Visit njamle.org for the full session boards at all of the venues.) NJAMLE President Tina Monteleone when asked to consider the purpose of the Summer Skills Workshops shared that "The purpose of these workshops is to create an opportunity for Middle Level educators to come together for a few hours in a relaxing environment with other Middle School educators, reflect on their past year and reconnect with their "why"(-why they are an educator.")  She continued to reflect on what she hoped would be specific takeaways from this years experience indicating that " we hope our attendees leave with new ways to approach their content area, effective ideas to engage their young adolescent students that are developmentally appropriate and a feeling of connection to a large network of resources and educators."  From her remarks it is clear that Monteleone is passionate about working with her NJAMLE team to create professional development experiences that arm Middle School teachers with pedagogy and strategies that can best serve the needs of their students. Moreover, an environment is provided at these workshops that empowers educators to connect and potentially collaborate with each other.

While the Summer Skills workshops continue to provide for the professional development needs of Middle School educators there is always room for growth. When asked about Summer Skills workshops in upcoming years Monteleone went on to discuss possible expansion saying " NJAMLE is always looking for new opportunities and spaces to bring Middle Level educators together. We will continue to seek school districts that would like to host a NJAMLE learning event in order to expand our outreach into different corners of the state." Clearly NJAMLE remains steadfast in its commitment to providing Professional Development of the highest quality to its members as well as all Middle school educators throughout the state of New Jersey.

In the upcoming months Middle School educators and NJAME members  can look forward to the following Professional Development opportunities. The AMLE national conference in Nashville Tennessee from November 7-9, a Hungry for Learning afternoon of Professional Development in Bergen County and the New Jersey State Conference on March 13, 2020 sponsored by NJAMLE. (The Keynote Speaker announcement and Call for presenters will arrive in the early fall. Please continue to follow NJAMLE on Twitter or on their website at NJAMLE.org for all information related to this organization.)

Once again NJAMLE has provided a tremendous opportunity for Middle School educators to improve their craft and connect with other educators with the organization of the Regional Summer Skills workshops.  Registration remains open at all three venues. The cost for the Summer Skills Sharpening Workshops is free to current members and $20 dollars for all non members. However,the $ 20 dollar fee provides admission to all venues and a one year membership to NJAMLE.

Middle Level Magic!

      The magic is back! After a one year hiatus the New Jersey Association for Middle Level Educators returns to Kean University and presents their annual conference on March 15 from 8am-2pm.  This year's conference planning committee led by chairperson Christina Requa has been hard at work since October putting together a professional learning experience that is practical, purposeful and productive.  There are many reasons to attend this year's conference, especially if you are a Middle Level educator and it all begins with the innovative and energetic Rick Wormeli.

     Rick Wormeli delivers this year's keynote address and brings quite an extraordinary resumé to the podium. He has 36 years of professional experience in various content areas. He has written the award winning "Meet Me in the Middle and two other best sellers, Fair Isn't Always Equal: Assessment and Grading in the Differentiated Classroom and Metaphors and Analogies: Power Tools for Teaching Any Subject. Moreover, Wormeli is one of the first recipients in the United States to become a National Board Certified Teacher.  Unquestionably Wormeli's impressive credentials make him an excellent choice to lead off the day of learning by providing a powerful message that is sure to unite and inspire this year's attendees.

     The theme of this year's conference is Better Together based on the belief that when we learn together, when we motivate and inspire each other, we create a synergy that elevates our craft to new heights that were previously unimaginable.  The slate of presentations that was created for this year's conference was developed with the goal of providing a diverse platform of pedagogical experiences for all those in attendance. Committee Chairperson Requa is excited about offering sessions that focus on pedagogy as a whole and provide interdisciplinary skills, tools and resources for everyone.
Furthermore, she believes that this year's conference is unique because it provides a space and platform for middle level educators to collaborate, learn and grow together. 

     After distinguished Keynote Speaker Rick Wormeli finishes his address, the conference continues with an awards presentation that honors the most distinguished Middle School Teacher, Administrator and team in the the state of New Jersey.  Following the awards are three breakout sessions featuring a diverse array of topics provided by educators who are passionate and distinguished practitioners.  Topics range from STEM to Social Studies to Math and Science to Climate and Culture, Special Education to Edtech to Mindsets to Makerspace to Genius Hour to Literacy to Gaming to Leadership. Full session descriptions and our lineup of presenters can be found by visiting the NJAMLE website at www.NJAMLE.org.  There certainly is something for everyone in attendance if middle school is where you find yourself spending most of your days.

     The cost of the one-day event is $119 for non-members, $99 for members and $29 for college students while Lead Presenters are free. Registration is currently underway and can be completed by visiting the website or by accessing the Conference Registration Smore on Twitter @NJAMLE.  Requa and her committee's hope is at the end of the day attendees will take away something they can try in their classrooms on Monday and that they can build connections with other educators that continue well beyond the conference.