Nancy Doda wowed the audience with her keynote at our Annual Conference this past October. One of the reasons her address was so powerful is that she shared the microphone with Nick, a student from Hampden. He explained why having a choice in how he demonstrates his learning is so important to him. In case you missed Nick, here is a video of what he had to say.
Here is a video of of his composition.
Nick’s 8th grade teacher was Karen Lewis (Reeds Brook MS), and she also is the Teacher Representative on the NELMS Board.
Nick will be our featured speaker at the Scholar-Leader Dinner in May.
At the Annual Conference at Point Lookout earlier this fall, Phil Brookhouse was honored as the 2014 Janet Nesin Reynolds Outstanding Educator. Because the award is always a surprise to the honoree, Barbara Greenstone kept everyone in suspense as she slowly revealed details of Phil’s career as a exemplary middle level educator. Below are her comments:
It’s my honor to announce the latest recipient of the Janet Nesin Reynolds Outstanding Middle Level Educator Award. If you’ve been to past conferences where this award has been presented, you know that it’s a surprise to the recipient, and we try to introduce that person in a way that gives out little clues to the identity and builds suspense. I don’t know how I can do that today, because this person is so well-known across the state of Maine that many of you will know immediately who I’m talking about, and so will he. That’s clue number one. It’s a he.
This teacher has more than three decades of experience as a middle level science teacher. In the classroom his practice demonstrated his passion for his content as well as his deep commitment to the young adolescents he inspired every day. Science pedagogy for him had to be hands-on and inquiry-based; he couldn’t do it any other way. I never had the pleasure of visiting his classroom, but knowing him, I’m sure his classes included many aha moments as well as ha-ha moments.
Then, in 2005, he left all of that to be a full time teacher of teachers and my partner in crime. We were Statewide Integration Mentors (SWIMs) for MLTI and we traveled the state together, providing professional development for middle level teachers. (If you don’t who I’m talking about now, you haven’t been paying attention). As we prepared for our first workshop together, I remember thinking, “This will be good. This guy’s smart, hard-working, and likable. He has good ideas, It will be okay.” I had no idea what I was in for. He showed up for that first workshop with Jolly Roger flags and a Jack Sparrow hat because it was September 19, Talk Like a Pirate Day. That may have seemed like a risky thing to do when you’re starting out with a new partner whom you don’t know very well yet. But he soon found out that I love that kind of thing. So it turned out to be a great teaching partnership, although some people mistook us for a comedy act. In fact, we were doing a workshop together one day, and we must have been in rare form because one of the participating teachers said, “You guys are so funny. You have this Sesame Street thing going on. You’re adorable.” That may have been the first and last time the word adorable was used to describe me.
But seriously, this teacher has demonstrated a deep commitment to helping middle level educators develop their practice. He understood from the beginning that MLTI was not just a technology initiative, but was a catalyst for changing teacher practice, making it more relevant for the 21st century. But you don’t have to take my word for it. Just go to maine121.org and read his posts, listen to his webinar recordings, or go to iTunesU and listen to his podcasts. You’ll hear about his work with EcoScienceWorks, developing games and simulations specifically for Maine teachers and students that were installed on every MLTI laptop. (And some components of EcoBeaker Maine Explorer are still in use today by teachers in my school.) You’ll read about visual literacy and how to use visual representations for making meaning of complex information and concepts. If you dig deeply enough into the MLTI archives, you may even find evidence of his starring roles in epic films like “Be a 21st Century Teacher with Studywiz” in which we played good teacher/bad teacher (He was the good teacher.) Or “Will it Blend: Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge” in which he played Perry Pedagogy the pirate puppet.
In a career that has spanned 4 decades, his work has directly or indirectly affected thousands of students across the state. And in our work together we learned so much from each other (and not just the location of every Dunkin Donuts and every gas station with a clean restroom in the state.) He stretched my thinking and reminded me that we teach kids not subjects and one of the most important things we do with kids is make memories. He also showed me how one can face life’s challenges with courage and grace. But maybe the best and truest thing I can say is that he’s the middle school teacher I wish my son had had.
It’s my great pleasure and honor to announce that this year’s Janet Nesin Reynolds Outstanding Middle Level Educator Award goes to my friend and colleague, Phil Brookhouse.
What makes an outstanding school for 10-14 year olds? The well – research position paper from the Association for Middle Level Education, This We Believe: Keys to Educating Young Adolescents lists four essential attributes:
Developmentally Responsive: using the nature of young adolescents as the foundation on which all decisions are made.
Challenging: recognizing that every student can learn and everyone is held to high expectations.
Empowering: providing all students with the knowledge and skills they need to take control of their lives.
Equitable: advocating for every student’s right to learn and providing challenging and relevant learning opportunities.
The MAMLE Annual Conference is the perfect time for staff to reflect on the vision for their school and how it is being implemented. It is the only event in Maine that explores the current issues facing schools through the lens of effective teaching and learning for 10-14 year olds as exemplified by the essential attributes outlined in This We Believe: Keys to Educating Young Adolescents.
Just look at the opportunities at the conference:
For everyone:
Two outstanding keynote speakers: Matt Nelson, MPA Middle Level Principal of the Year and Nancy Doda, international expert on educating young adolescents.
The Auburn Land Lab – An Opportunity To Learn Differently – Phil Brookhouse, Auburn School Department
FROM CURIOSITY TO CAREER:Transforming Student Engagement into Career Pathways – Jay Collier, Educate Maine
An Interdisciplinary Approach to Field Marine Science – David Williams, York Middle School
For folks focusing on culture and climate:
Middle Level Theory into Practice – The Troy Howard Middle School Story – Kimberly Buckheit & Students, Troy Howard Middle School; Kelley Littlefield, Ecology Academy Teacher; Chris LaValle, Innovation Academy Teacher; Sarah Wyman, International Academy Teacher
The Power (and Struggles) of Shared Leadership Teams – Mike Muir, Auburn School District
Legacy: Making Education Meaningful Through Service Learning – Shianne Priest & Students, Leonard Middle School
Meeting the Standards in a Restorative Classroom – Celeste Libby, Travis Taylor, Lisa Hall, Ansley Newton and 6th Grade Guidance Counselor, Saco Middle School
Enthusiastic and engaged students at Space Day-Auburn MS
It’s All About Choice… And a Lot of Planning! – Carl Bucciantini, Auburn Middle School
The Fourth “R”-The Power of Relationships in Middle School – Jerry Kiesman, Hermon Middle School
Building Community Through Challenge – Gert Nesin & Todd McKinley, Leonard Middle School
Positive Adults + Positive Interventions = Positive Students – Sheila Underhill; Reuben Fowlow; & Tracy McKay, Central Middle School
The Anatomy of a Successful Parent Night – Ward Willis, Middle School of the Kennebunks
Student Reflecting and Conferencing – Melissa Fenelon, York Middle School
“Ignite the S.P.A.R.K!”~Students Promoting Acts of Random Kindness – Jodie Bennett & Molly Brewer, Medomak Middle School
Brain Breaks for Students – Susan Callahan, Auburn Middle School
For those who literacy throughout the curriculum remains an important topic:
Talking About the Text: Engaging Ways to Boost Comprehension and Understanding — Nancy Doda
Read 180: Increase Student Engagement, Ownership, and Achievement – Tammy Ranger, Skowhegan Area Middle School
A Culture of Collaboration in Writing – Kym Granger, Mt. Ararat Middle School
Allagash Tails and Tales – Tim Caverly, Allagash Tails
Mark Twain
Dual Purposes that Serve the Needs of Both Curriculums… Take a Risk!! – Abby Jacobs & Mike Burke, Westbrook Middle School
Classroom Blogging with Google Apps for Education – Suzanne Simmons, Bonny Eagle Middle School
Creating Visual Notes with Apple MLTI Tools (Apple MLTI Primary Solution) (Double Session D &E) – Maine-based Apple PD Specialists
Writing Power: Creating Authentic Audiences for Student Voices – Joyce Bucciantini, Auburn Middle School
Meeting Literacy Standards in Health and the Other Allied Arts – Strategies to Help Students Excel in Your Class – Doreen Swanholm & Courtney Belolan, Mt. Ararat Middle School
For participants who believe the Allied Arts are an integral part of any outstanding middle grades program:
Recreating Radio Dramas – Barbara Greenstone, Boothbay Region Schools
Empowering Students Through Assessment Techniques and Strategies – Jane Snider, Hancock Grammar School
Tricks and Tips to Help Students Take Really Good Pictures – Jill Spencer, BoomerTECH Adventures
Legacy: Making Education Meaningful Through Service Learning – Shianne Priest & Students, Leonard Middle School
Dual Purposes that Serve the Needs of Both Curriculums… Take a Risk!! – Abby Jacobs & Mike Burke, Westbrook Middle School
Proficiency-Based Education in an Art Class – Gloria Hewett, Mount View Middle School
Dual Purposes that Serve the Needs of Both Curriculums… Take a Risk!! – Abby Jacobs & Mike Burke, Westbrook Middle School
Meeting Literacy Standards in Health and the Other Allied Arts – Strategies to Help Students Excel in Your Class – Doreen Swanholm & Courtney Belolan, Mt. Ararat Middle School
A STEM Model For Problem Solving – Sara Nason, Sanford Middle School
Start Developing iOS and OS X Apps Today! (Double Session D &E) – Maine-based Apple PD Specialists
World Language Market – Tad Williams & Ellen Jardine, Middle School of the Kennebunks
For attendees whose interest is personalizing learning and MCL:
Teaching MCL: Beyond the Theory – Erin Hoffses, Presque Isle Middle School
Proficiency-Based Education in an Art Class – Gloria Hewett, Mount View Middle School
Assessment with iPads – Barbara Greenstone, Boothbay Region Schools
May the Force Be With You: Planning for the Unique Needs of Young Adolescents – Lindsay Mahoney & Hope Herrick, Messalonskee Middle School
Metacognition and the Middle Schooler – Andrea Logan, Lake Region Middle School
Back to Basics: How to Create Learning Targets and “I CAN” Statements – Jennifer Etter, York Middle Schools
Motivating Students With Engaging Tasks – Mike Muir, Auburn School District
Customize the Brain – Bill Zima, Mt. Ararat Middle School
For folks who help their students develop a world view:
Hands-On History: The Bangor Community Heritage Project – Ron Bilancia & Pricilla Soucie, William S. Cohen School; Larissa Vigue Picard, Maine Historical Society; Bill Cook, Bangor Public Library
World Language Market – Tad Williams & Ellen Jardine, Middle School of the Kennebunks
TOP’s Turning Points and Timelines! Kids Get Chronology! – Jacqueline Littlefield, Goethe-Institute Washington -Transatlantic Outreach Program
From History to Action, Using the Lessons of the Holocaust and the Civil Rights Movement to Empower Students – Elizabeth Helitzer, Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine
Models of Courageous Citizenship: Connecting students to themes in social studies, language arts, science and other curriculum areas – Connie Carter
Especially for leadership teams and administrators:
Jeff Rodman, President of MAMLE and John Keane, President Elect
Developing Teacher Expertise – Ben Harris & Mick Roy, Bonny Eagle Middle School and Stacy Penna with Learning Sciences
Apple’s Five Best Practices of Excellent Schools! – (Double Session A &B) – Maine-based Apple PD Specialists
Middle Level Theory into Practice – The Troy Howard Middle School Story – Kimberly Buckheit & Students, Troy Howard Middle School; Kelley Littlefield, Ecology Academy Teacher; Chris LaValle, Innovation Academy Teacher; Sarah Wyman, International Academy Teacher
The Power (and Struggles) of Shared Leadership Teams – Mike Muir, Auburn School District
Making Sense of Chapter 180: Implementing the New Teacher Evaluation System in Two Districts – Bill Zima, Mt. Ararat Middle School & John Keane, Leonard Middle School
The Anatomy of a Successful Parent Night – Ward Willis, Middle School of the Kennebunks
Administrators Roundtable – Jeff Rodman, Middle School of the Kennebunks
Meeting the Standards in a Restorative Classroom – Celeste Libby, Travis Taylor, Lisa Hall, Ansley Newton and 6th Grade Guidance Counselor, Saco Middle School
All of these sessions plus more form the backbone of our conference. What school wouldn’t benefit from having teachers and administrators participate in such a rich experience?
The Messalonskee Middle School staff and Olympian Julia Clukey recently accepted the ALSice bucket challenge! After hearing Clukey speak about overcoming obstacles and persevering to accomplish personal goals, 42 lucky MMS students had the privilege to dump water over the heads of their teachers and Ms. Clukey. Students were able to purchase tickets for the chance to dump buckets of ice water over their teacher’s heads while teacher’s paid $10/each to participate. After spending time reading, watching videos, and discussing this cause and craze that has gone viral, students and staff collectively raised over $600. After all the excitement, we forgot to challenge other schools so maybe yours will be next!
It’s late August and once again it’s butterfly season in Maine. No, not the season for any of the more than 55 species of butterflies that inhabit our great state, but the ones that we feel in our stomach as another school year approaches. These are the butterflies that keep us up at night wondering about those first days of school. Will I have a good class? Will the students like me? Am I prepared? Did I remember to zip up my fly?
Teaching middle school is a great challenge as each fall enthusiastic, energetic, eager, and well-rested budding adolescents arrive to begin a new school year. The students come to us in all shapes and sizes with a myriad of abilities and needs. They are simple, yet complex. Just when we think we know our students, we find out there is so much more to learn about them. Middle school students are truly a wonderful enigma. As middle school educators, we need to understand what it means to be simple, yet complex. We are lucky to work with them but we have an incredible task that takes great skill, great patience, and great humor.
We should expect to bring to our students a firm and professional commitment to their educational, intellectual, and social-emotional well being that will ensure their growth and development toward becoming positive members of our schools and our communities. Teaching is an obligation we have all made. We have all dedicated ourselves to being the best teachers we can be. I am confident we will all succeed in this endeavor. There is so much to be accomplished in all of our schools but there is no better place where it can happen than in our middle schools.
As my mother-in-law, who was a great teacher herself, always said, “If you don’t feel a little nervous before the school year starts, it’s time to retire.” This year, I begin my 38th year in education, and thankfully, I guess I’m ready as I’m still feeling the butterflies.
I wish you all a successful school year. May it be filled with great learning, great patience, and great laughter.
Sincerely,
Jeff Rodman
Principal, Middle School of the Kennebunks
President, Maine Association for Middle Level Education
This post is from Denise Friant, seventh and eighth grade science teacher at Woolwich Central School
“We look at this as an authentic community effort to help educate our students about the effects of invasive European Green Crabs on our local soft shell clam population.“ Denise Friant, Woolwich Central School’s seventh grade science teacher.”
Saving the clam flats on Montsweag Bay
Theentire 7th Grade at Woolwich Central School conducted a population study on soft-shell clams on May 23rd in the clam flats of Montsweag Bay, Woolwich. This was in collaboration with Marine Biologist, Dr. Brian Beal, University of Maine at Machias, The Woolwich Shellfish Committee, Tim La Rochelle and Dan Harrington and the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust, Ruth Indrick and Becky Kolak. We look at this as an authentic community effort to help educate our students about the effects of invasive European Green Crabs on our local soft shell clam population.
The population study methods are developed by Dr. Beal who has worked with many schools throughout Maine to engage students in understanding about the soft-shelled clam. We will plant clam seed in plant pots, cover them with screening of two types to protect them from predators and compare clam seed mortality to plant pots without screening.
Seeding clams
This study will give us more information about the decimating populations of clams and the effect the European Green Crab is having on them. Thank you to Dr. Beal and members of the Downeast Institute for Applied Research and Education for assisting our students with the scientific methods and education in the mud flats.
Invasive European Green Crab
Many thanks to Ruth Indrick of the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust, who helped facilitate a grant to furnish our students with 25 pairs of clam boots for the project. Ruth and Becky Kolak spent time previously with our students, dissecting clams and teaching about water quality. Ruth was a great asset in the flats assisting and encouraging students through the muddy conditions.
Woolwich Central’s seventh graders hard at work with Dr. Beal from the University of Maine-Machias
Another highlight of our day was the Maine Campus Compact who joined us in the field to observe our project. They represent higher education institutes throughout New England looking to incorporate similar models into their instruction.
In late October, Woolwich students will visit the site again and collect data from the study. We will present a community showcase to inform the public of our findings.
The end of May and the entire month of June are tough…
Teachers are stressed when they compare their curriculum guides to the remaining days left on the school calendar.
Principals are trying to figure out how to complete the necessary observations and write up the resulting evals.
The students see, feel, and taste the warm weather and want to do anything but school work.
Parents juggle one end of the year event after another with work and family obligations.
It can be crazy out there.
Sometimes we all just need to slow down and take a deep breath. Take some think time.
Tom Burton, director of administrative services for Cuyahoga Heights Schools in Ohio, writes a regular column for the AMLE Magazine. His May article entitled “Polishing Our Sea Glass” reminds us that “reflecting on the year’s successes and failures is not only a good practice, but a necessity if we are to be the best middle level educators we can be.”
Maine Sea Glass
He also make the point that that “…middle level students are like pieces of sea glass. Sometimes students feel discarded, tossed around during the day with hectic schedules, slammed against the floors, and wondering when they will finally wash ashore.”
Building on the metaphor, Tom continues…”Great teachers and leaders who support true middle level education understand that even the most hardened glass can be polished into a beautiful piece of sea glass.”
So as the year winds down, may we all pause and reflect on shining moments, the humdrum, and the frustrations of the year and begin the cycle of renewal–thinking about next year and how we will continue to serve our students to the best of our abilities.
Educators never stand still; we are always moving forward to the next week, the next semester and the next year. Keep Tom’s closing words in mind, “And moving forward, take the time to recognize the beauty in all your middle level students and to create programs that will allow them to shine like polished pieces of sea glass.”
Autumn Hunter, Windy City Blues, & Eric the Great and other poems captivated the audience at the 6th Grade Poetry Cafe last week at the Durham Community School. Sixth grade teachers Devon Koenig and Jacky Arellano and their students shared original and favorite poems with friends and family.
Students invited friends and family to the 6th Grade Poetry Cafe!
Keonig and Arellano are a two person sixth grade team. Jacky Arellano who teaches the math and science enthusiastically joined forces with LA/SS teacher Devon Keonig to stage the Cafe. In fact, the Cafe was her suggestion when the two were exploring different ways to end the poetry unit. Tablecloths and votive candles helped transfer the cafeteria into a cafe for the event.
Becca reads her onomatopoeia poem “Autumn Hunter”
Devon reports, “We wanted give the students an opportunity or not only celebration of the incredible writing they accomplished, but also to give them an authentic audience with whom to share their hearts.”
Students and friends gather around tables to listen to the shared poems.
Many students shared their original writings, others read favorite poems from the famous,
and some…
Devon and Eric read a poem written by his grandmother for his birthday, “Eric the Great”
recited meaningful verses written by a family member. The teachers also shared their writing.
Jacky Arellano shares her original poem “Windy City Blues”Caleb reading his poem “Where I’m From” inspired by George Ella Lyons’ “Where I’m From” poem
Sarah Rubin and Sherry Coyne and their students from the seventh grade Little River Team at Gorham Middle School participated in the Chewonki Foundation’s Zero Waste Challenge. According to the Chewonki website, middle school classrooms (grades 6,7,8) are invited and encouraged to take the challenge to help their schools save money and resources by evaluating their waste stream and creating a plan to reduce waste.
Sarah reports that the team visited Ecomaine earlier in the year. Ecomaine is the waste to energy plant and single stream recycling facility where all of their waste goes. Sarah reports, “Our kids got to see first hand where their trash and recycling goes from their homes and our school.”
“Our project has focused on analyzing our school’s waste, improving the recycling program, introducing composting, and trying to ‘buy smart’ which means buying reuseable and sustainably made products rather than disposable or unsustainable products.”
The team did well this year! They have not decided what they will do with the prize money yet, but the team is looking to improve composting at their school and to improve sustainability education for the other students.
Nancy Doda wowed the audience with her keynote at our Annual Conference this past October. One of the reasons her address was so powerful is that she shared the microphone with Nick, a student from Hampden. He explained why having a choice in how he demonstrates his learning is so important to him. In case you missed Nick, here is a video of what he had to say.
We have moved! 