Wednesday, January 23, 2019

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.



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