Association for Middle Level Education

Attention junior/senior undergraduate students & pre-service teachers! 📢Don't miss this awesome opportunity to apply to be a Student Ambassador at in Nashville!

As an Ambassador, you’ll:
🌟 Gain an insider’s view of the world’s largest middle level education conference
🌟 Build your professional network with leaders and peers
🌟 Receive mentorship on your job search
🌟 Earn valuable resume experience through meaningful volunteer roles

Learn more & apply by August 30:

Collegiate Students/Pre-Service Teachers - AMLE26 Discover exciting opportunities for collegiate students and pre-service teachers at the AMLE Annual Conference, including the CMLA Summit, student ambassador program, and chapter grants designed to support future middle level educators.

Want to expand meaningful student leadership in your school or district? Our latest survey data reveals key trends for building student voice, agency, and collaboration for middle schoolers:

A Survey of Middle School Student Leadership Programming - AMLE Survey results from middle schools nationwide reveal how student leadership programs are structured, who participates, and where opportunities exist to expand access and impact.

✏️ Want to sharpen your students’ thinking? Better questions = better learning. ICYMI, check out this great article + podcast with Connie Hamilton on the power of effective questioning in middle school:

Teaching Students to Think: Connie Hamilton on the Power of Better Questions in Middle School - AMLE Connie Hamilton, known to many as the questioning guru, joins the latest Middle School Walk & Talk to share how effective questioning can transform middle school learning. Connie’s practical strategies and small shifts in teacher practice have yielded noticeable results that even help students bec...

At Dorseyville Middle School, an AMLE School of Distinction, a unique initiative called Exploratory Time (ET) is keeping kids excited to come to school while building stronger relationships between students and school staff.

Gather recommendations for implementing a similar program at your school in the full article below.

DYK? 📩AMLE members receive a bi-weekly digest of articles delivered to their inbox!

Fostering Student Voice and Engagement Through Exploratory Time - AMLE At Dorseyville Middle School, an AMLE School of Distinction in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania a unique initiative called Exploratory Time (ET) has yielded powerful benefits for the entire school community. This article explores how Dorseyville Middle School implements ET, and how they’ve leveraged the p...

Join an experience that will create lasting impact at your school for months and years to come! Limited spots remain for the 2026 Leadership Institute. Collaborate with expert faculty in interactive sessions and small-group “homeroom” communities, where you’ll focus on proven strategies that drive success in middle schools. ⚜️ Our amazing faculty will work directly with you (and your team if you’re bringing them!) to adapt these strategies to your unique school context and real-world challenges with young adolescents and the educators who serve them.

Register while spots last! amle.org/institute-for-middle-level-leadership

🌟Would you like to play a leadership role in advancing the middle level education movement? AMLE is accepting nominations for two open positions on our Board of Trustees.
🌟Trustees serve six-year terms beginning January 2027. To self-nominate or nominate a colleague, you’ll need a completed nomination form, a high-resolution photo, and three letters of reference.
🌟Learn more and submit by June 30:

Get Involved - AMLE Middle level educators can find ways to get involved with AMLE, through membership, calls for submissions and volunteer opportunities.

ICYMI, we're resharing this powerful case study from Jefferson County Public Schools featured in our Playbook for Career Exploration in the Middle Grades. What steps are you taking to boost student engagement as you head into summer planning?

Building Futures Through Explore - AMLE Learn how the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE)’s “Building Futures Through Explore” initiative guides middle schoolers in discovering skills, interests and career-paths early—creating a bridge from classroom learning to real-world opportunity

Counselor, educator, and author Emily Kircher-Morris recently shared her expertise on what neurodiversity really means and how middle level educators can support a wide range of needs during a time when social awareness intensifies and differences become more visible.
Worth noting:
☑️Common misconceptions about neurodivergence
☑️How strengths-based accommodations benefit all learners
☑️Practical strategies for fostering belonging, supporting executive functioning, and disrupting rigid social patterns in the middle grades

Read the full article with the podcast interview: https://ow.ly/tX0E50YVhEt

🎉A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Katie Johnson, Principal at Belmont Ridge Middle School who was recently named Principal of the Year by Loudoun County Public Schools! Katie was recognized for making an extraordinary impact on her school community, leading with an open-door policy, and always making herself available to parents, staff, and students no matter how busy she is.

👆Which is saying a lot, considering Katie was also named a Principal of Distinction by the Virginia Department of Education - VDOE last month. Katie was one of 25 admins to successfully complete all requirements demonstrating strong leadership in improving student achievement, providing effective instructional leadership, and cultivating a school environment that reduces non-academic barriers. 🎯The program is made in partnership with the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals, the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals, the Virginia Board of Education and the Department.

Katie currently serves as a member of the AMLE Board of Trustees. Join us in congratulating Katie on her exceptional contributions to her middle school community! 🙌

Save the Date! Our last Leadership Roundtable of the school year is coming up Tuesday, May 26. Topics for discussion include:
☑️ year-end priorities, including evaluations, school events and activities
☑️ planning for the summer, and
☑️ preparing for the upcoming school year

Don't miss this valuable time to connect with other leaders in the middle grades!

Register for the meeting link: https://ow.ly/foKX50YZ7S3

Teacher Appreciation Week may be wrapping up, but the celebration doesn’t have to end!

As a special thank you in honor of our global network of middle level teachers, we're offering a 20% discount at the AMLE Online Store through the end of this month.

Discover high-quality, research-based resources created specifically for middle level educators. Use code TYTeachers at checkout: my.amle.org/Shop/Store
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