Author: Jill Spencer

I taught middle school for many years and consulted with schools across the country and internationally in the areas of curriculum and instruction, including technology integration. Now, I partner with two great guys at BoomerTECH Adventures. We work with boomers and seniors to help them be as digitally savvy as their grandchildren.

Mainers Honored at NELMS Annual Conference

Posted on by Jill Spencer

Two of Maine’s newest  and brightest middle level teachers were honored this week as Promising Practioners at the 2014 NELMS Annual Conference.  The criteria for the award are:

  • Enjoys teaching middle level students
  • Makes a positive difference in the school
  • Fosters community connections
  • Seeks professional development and implements innovative ideas
  • Meets the needs of individual students, using effective middle level practices such as:
    • Incorporating activity-based learning
    • Developing a sense of student ownership in their learning
    • Integrating higher order thinking
    • Fostering curriculum connections
Congratulations to…
Photo of SaraSara Donahue, Special Education Teacher at Presque Isle Middle School

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

photo of MollyMolly Brewer, Spanish teacher at Medomak Middle School

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NELMS also presented two Distinguished Service Awards, also known as the James Garvin Award.  Criteria for this award:

  • A record of service that reflects a high level of dedication and commitment to the cause of quality education for early adolescents.
  • A life that models the human qualities which, one day, we would want early adolescents to emulate.
  • A record of scholarship invested in helping others to better understand the unique needs of early adolescents.
  • A record of activities that clearly demonstrates a concern for those less fortunate, in need of special leadership.
  • A record of leadership in organizing and directing others to excellence in middle level education.
This year’s recipients of the Distinguish Service Award are Chris Toy and Jill Spencer.
Chris Toy and Jill Spencer Recipients of 2014 NELMS Distinguished Service Award
Chris Toy and Jill Spencer Recipients of 2014 NELMS Distinguished Service Award

 

 

Argy Nestor Honored by National Art Education Association

Posted on by Jill Spencer
Photo of Argy Nestor
Argy Nestor

Argy Nestor, Director of Arts Education at the Maine Arts Commission, recently was honored by the National Art Education Association at their annual conference in San Diego, California.  She received their Distinguished Service Award.  Congratulations Argy!

Argy is well know in Maine middle level circles.  She was an art teacher for many years where she loved to be involved in integrated units.  And here are a few more of her accomplishments:

Once again, Argy–Congratulations from all of your friends at MAMLE.  We think it’s time for you to come back to our annual conference in October!  What do other MAMLES think?

Cool2Career

Posted on by Jill Spencer

Jim Moulton posted this announcement on the ACTEM listserv so we are passing it along to our members…

On May 2, 2014 please plan on coming to NESCom <http://nescom.edu/> and
learn how Maine students, grade 7 – 12 can move their enjoyment of video,
audio production, programming, marketing, or digital imagery forward and
begin to see themselves on a pathway from “Cool2Career!”

Cool2Career registration opened on Thursday March 6 at 10:00 AM. Now, with
over 350 registrations in place, schools are able to increase to, or create
a new registration, with up to 25 students and 5 adults. Registration fee
will be $15 per student or adult participant, and includes lunch and
snacks. As of March 27, approximately 125 seats remained available for
Cool2Career.

Because of this, schools who have previously registered are now able to
register up to 15 additional student participants, and 3 additional adult
participants. New registrations will now be able to register up to 25
student participants and 5 adult participants. (with 1-5 students, 1 adult
required; with 6-10 students, 2 adults required; with 11-15 students, 3
adults required; with 16-20 students, 4 adults required; with 21-25
students, 5 adults required – all in a 5:1 ratio)  Capacity for this
initial Cool2Career is a total of 480, and registration will close when
that number is reached. Questions? Please contact Jim Moulton at:
moulton@apple.com

 

Website: http://cool2career.com/

Promising Middle Level Educator Award

Posted on by Jill Spencer

We bet you know an educator who fits the criteria for MAMLE’s newest award–Promising Middle Level Educator:

Basic Criteria:

  • Nominee has one to five years of education experience
  • Nominee is currently teaching at the middle level
  • Nominee is a member of MAMLE (a teacher is a member or his/her school is a member)

The recipient of this award practices the following Core Beliefs of MAMLE:

  • Meets the developmental needs of young adolescents
  • Enjoys teaching middle level learners
  • Participates in professional development
  • Promotes a healthy learning environment for students and colleagues
  • Uses research to guide practice and make instructional decisions
  • Invites participation by students, parents, and/or the community
  • Incorporates technology effectively to enhance learning experiences

Who in your school meets these criteria?  Download the nomination form: PromisingMiddleLevelEducatorAward.  The deadline for submissions is June 1, 2014.  The award(s) will be announced at the MAMLE Annual Conference in October at Point Lookout. Shhhh….it will be a surprise to the honorees so don’t tell them you are nominating them!

Recognize the hard work of your exemplary new teachers with this award!  Questions? Email MAMLE’s Executive Director, Dr. Wally Alexander: wallace_alexander@umit.maine.edu.

 

MAMLE Partners With NELMS on 1:1 Digital Learning Institute

Posted on by Jill Spencer

MAMLE is delighted to partner with NELMS to offer the 1:1 Digital Learning Institute on June 26-27. 2014 in Kennebunk, Maine.  Three expert teams of Maine educators from elementary, middle, and high schools will work with attendees from around the nation and beyond to develop strategies with clear steps to help them move forward with their own 1:1 initiatives.

FreeportMS

Complete description of the Institute:

1:1 Learning Experts to Share Best Practices and Practical Advice

Digital 1:1 Learning Summit Scheduled for June 26-27 in Kennebunk, ME

KENNEBUNK, MAINE (March 5, 2014)–Digital 1:1 learning has revolutionized the learning experience, empowering teachers to personalize learning and connect students to the world like never before. An effective 1:1 program goes far beyond the purchase of laptops or tablets—yet, many schools don’t know where to begin.

A team of education experts from the Maine Association of Middle Level Educators (MAMLE) and the New England League of Middle Schools (NELMS) have organized the first annual Digital 1:1 Learning Institute, which will take place at the Middle School of the Kennebunks in Kennebunk, Maine June 26-27, 2014.

Keynote speakers at the two-day event include Senator Angus S. King, Jr., a visionary leader who, as governor of Maine, launched the world’s first and most comprehensive 1:1 initiative to bring learning technology into all Maine middle level schools; and Dr. Mike Muir, a Maine educator and expert on engaged learning for all students. A member of the original advisory team for the Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI), Dr. Muir helps lead the nation’s first full primary iPad project in Auburn, Maine.

HSblogger4Organizers say the conference will provide participants the knowledge and confidence to develop a vision and plan for their specific educational setting, as well as practical advice on what to do – and what not to do — from Maine teachers, administrators, and technology education leaders who have been at the forefront of digital learning for over a decade.  A panel of students whose learning was transformed by 1:1 will share their experiences.

Participants are encouraged to bring a team from their school that includes teachers, administrators and technology professionals. There will be three tracks from which to choose—elementary, middle school and high school—so participants can learn strategies appropriate to the level they teach.KinderKid reading

The cost of the conference, not including accommodations, is $295 per person if registered before May 15; when a five-member team is registered together, a sixth registration is free. Participants will receive 12 continuing education credits for attending this conference. For more information or to register, visit http://www.nelms.org/pages/conferences/1to1learning.html

Contacts:

Chris Toy
christoy.net@gmail.com
207-653-3163

Jill Spencer                                                                                                                  jillspencer51@gmail.com
207-353-2746

Using Primary Sources

Posted on by Jill Spencer

Susie Simmons is the tech integrator down at Bonny Eagle.  She has created a webinar on using primary sources with students.  Here is the link: http://www.simmonsclassroom.com/2014/02/webinar-on-aiming-students-to-primary.html

Check it out!  Actually, it’s worth checking out her website–Susie has posted many useful tutorials: http://simmonsclassroom.sharedby.co/3f1f2490e4d14bea/?web=c5d913&dst=http%3A//guides.simmonsclassroom.com

Moose Tech: March 14 in Dexter

Posted on by Jill Spencer

The Second Annual Moosehead Regional Technology Conference (Curiosity, Learning and You) is being held Friday March 14, 2014 at the Ridge View Community School in Dexter. Registration is $25.  They are offering over 100 sessions. Some titles of sessions include:

Making History on the iPad

Technology Petting Zoo

Digital Storytelling with Cut Paper Animation

STEM in Our Communities

They limit 20 participant to a session so it is important to register early.  Registrations close March 1. http://www.moosetech.org/

Auburn MS Hosts iPad User Group

Posted on by Jill Spencer

Carl Bucciantini from Auburn Middle School reports via the ACTEM ListServ...

On Thursday February 6 from 3:00 – 4:45 PM, please join us at Auburn
Middle School for the initial Auburn Area Middle School iPad Users
Group. This meeting is intended to be an informative, purposeful, and fun
gathering for middle school teachers who are using iPads in their
classrooms.

This will not be formal professional development, but rather a gathering
of practitioners to share ideas and knowledge around how to make the most
of iPad in the middle school setting. It will be a gathering that will be
of value to all levels of iPad users – from the beginner to the advanced.
To make this happen:

• this event will be led by Auburn Middle School teachers who are using
iPads in their classrooms.

• this event will provide time for teacher-to-teacher sharing of ideas
and resources.

Via the Apple Primary MLTI solution and other implementations, iPads are
being used effectively in middle school classrooms across Maine. This
event will be a time for middle school teachers from Auburn and
surrounding communities to share knowledge & experience, successes &
challenges – all with an eye towards making everyone, including your
students, more effective and innovative iPad users.

Topics addressed during this gathering of the Auburn Area Middle School
iPad Users Group (Auburn MSIUG) will include:

  • Managing the iPad classroom
  • Flipping the classroom
  • APPetizers
  • Managing the workflow

Participants are encouraged to bring their questions and stories of
success.

Please be sure to bring along your iPad and Apple ID information so you’ll
be able to download some of the apps you’ll hear about – wireless access
will be available.

Sixty (60) places are available for this Auburn Area Middle School iPad
Users Group, and registration will close when that number is reached.

Registration is available through the link below:

http://bit.ly/1dQBrgb

Please be in touch with any questions – Jim Moulton – moulton@apple.com

Lindsay Mahoney Honored!

Posted on by Jill Spencer

Lindsay teaches math and science at Messalonskee Middle School in Oakland (Also a MAMLE Board Member).  Recently she was honored by B98.5 Radio Station as their Teacher of the Month.  http://b985.fm/saluting-b98-5s-teacher-of-the-month-lindsay-mahoney-of-messalonskee-middle-school/  Needless to say, her students were really excited when representatives of the station came to their classroom to present the award.   Congratulations Lindsay!

Messalonskee Middle School was also recently honored.  It was named one of the top 38 elementary and middle schools in the United States to visit becasue of its innovative practices.  Way to go Messalonskee!  Read all about it at http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/on_innovation/2013/11/38_elementary_middle_schools_worth_visiting.html?cmp=ENL-EU-NEWS2