Press Release

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April Tibbles, 1-614-895-4730

May 6, 2010

NMSA Announces Next Editor of Research in Middle Level Education Online

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WESTERVILLE (OH)—National Middle School Association (NMSA), the nation's largest organization focused solely on middle grades education, welcomes Dr. Karen Weller Swanson as the next editor of Research in Middle Level Education Online (RMLE Online). Swanson will serve as associate editor during the first year, working closely during the transition with current editor, Dr. Micki Caskey of Portland State University (OR), before assuming the role of editor-in-chief. The RMLE Online editorship is a five-year term.

Karen Weller Swanson was previously a middle school science teacher at Mount Elden Middle School in Flagstaff, Arizona. She is currently an associate professor teaching doctoral research methods for the Tift College of Education at Mercer University in Atlanta, Georgia. She earned her doctorate in curriculum and instruction at Northern Arizona University (NAU). Her research topic was "How does high-stakes testing pressure influence collaborative practices of middle school teams?" Her master's and bachelor's degrees were in secondary education and biology from NAU. Additionally, Swanson was named a 2010 Carnegie Academy of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (CASTL) Scholar.

Karen has been involved with NMSA since 1992, serving as a reviewer for Middle School Journal, a session reviewer and presenter at several conferences, the writer of a research summary on block scheduling, and a member of the Curriculum Committee.

Karen brings a strong research background to RMLE Online, with research encompassing transformative education, teacher professional development, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. Her publications include book chapters on blended learning, self-assessment, collaborative teaching, and transformative learning. Her peer-reviewed journal articles were published in Journal for the Practical Application of Constructivist Theory in Education, Journal of Educational Technology and Society, Studying Teacher Education, and Childhood Education.

"The goal of RMLE Online is to make current middle grades research available to both practitioners and higher education faculty," Swanson states. "The nexus of theory and practice is a continuous goal. My intention is to create spaces for dialogue between the authors and readers each month." Serving as RMLE Online editor is a culmination of Swanson's love for research, teachers, and middle grades students.

Dr. Carl Martray, dean, Tift College of Education states, "The selection of Dr. Swanson to the editorship of RMLE Online reflects Karen's level of scholarship and significant contributions to the profession. We in Tift College of Education at Mercer University are in support of Dr. Swanson's efforts and those of National Middle School Association."

About National Middle School Association:
National Middle School Association (NMSA) is the largest professional organization serving educators and parents who work with 10- to 15 year-olds. NMSA's membership represents 180,000 teachers, principals, school administrators, parents, and others who work with this age group.