FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2026
Columbus, OH – The Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) announced today that Christopher Woodside has been selected as its new CEO, effective later this month. Chris brings almost two decades of experience serving nonprofit organizations, most recently as Executive Director of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). Prior to his work for associations, Chris was a Capitol Hill congressional aide. Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Miami University.
At NAfME, Chris built a results-oriented advocacy organization championing the cause of music education and fostering agency in music teachers and students to advocate for the profession. His achievements included growing the association’s advocacy footprint through state-level capacity building, creation of the Music Education Policy Roundtable, expansion of the NAfME Hill Day and Collegiate Leadership Advocacy Summit, founding of the Arts Education Alliance, and federal lobbying which culminated in the inclusion of music and arts specific provisions in federal law. In 2016, Chris received the honor of Lowell Mason Fellow in recognition of his advocacy work on behalf of the music education profession.
As Executive Director, Chris fueled innovation through inclusivity. Chris steered NAfME during the COVID-19 global pandemic, ensuring financial stability and continuity of mission-driven activity on behalf of all music educators, both those teaching in-person and in remote environments. Because of Chris’s efforts, NAfME persevered, adapting quickly to the virtual landscape by listening to the needs of members and affiliates, partnering with like-minded groups, and responding by incorporating online gathering spaces, professional development experiences, and advocacy engagements into the organization’s existing membership offerings. Post-COVID, Chris guided NAfME in a successful return to in-person PreK-12 and higher education conferences and events, while also permanently incorporating lessons learned during the pandemic about the importance of accessibility.
Additionally, under Chris’s leadership, NAfME pursued challenging conversations about barriers to participation in music education which eventually led to the development of a historic new strategic plan aimed at building a collaborative community supporting music educators. As a result, NAfME made meaningful changes to its bylaws and policies which expanded the pipeline to participation in the association’s leadership and committees and increased the breadth of its programming offerings to serve more music teachers. Every year, hundreds of music educators from across the country gather in Washington, DC, at the NAfME National Leadership Assembly, to ensure representation in decision-making, and to speak out in the halls of Congress on behalf of their profession.
“On behalf of the AMLE Board of Trustees, I am thrilled to welcome Chris Woodside as our next CEO at such a pivotal moment for middle level education,” said Chandra Diaz, Chair of the AMLE Board of Trustees. “Chris brings a powerful combination of advocacy expertise, strategic leadership, and a deep commitment to building inclusive, results-oriented professional communities. His demonstrated success in expanding influence, strengthening member engagement, and advancing policy aligns directly with AMLE’s aspirations for the future.
I also want to extend our sincere gratitude to Interim CEO Derek Neal for his steady and thoughtful leadership during this period of transition. Derek’s commitment to AMLE’s mission has been instrumental in ensuring continuity, stability, and forward momentum, and we are deeply appreciative of the way he has kept the association strong and focused.
We are excited to build on AMLE’s strong foundation and to further position the association as the go-to source for high-quality resources, research, and advocacy that support middle level educators and the young adolescents they serve. Under Chris’s leadership, we are confident AMLE will continue to elevate the field, amplify educator voice, and drive innovation that meets the evolving needs of our profession.”
“As an education association champion and the father of two soon-to-be middle school students, I couldn’t be more thrilled to join AMLE in this critical work on behalf of the middle-level education profession,” Chris said. “Middle level educators are tirelessly devoted to meeting the unique developmental and cultural needs of young adolescents. The contributions of AMLE members around the globe are literally changing lives. I am so excited to work with AMLE leadership and affiliate organizations to maximize middle level education through the delivery of benefits that meet the needs of today’s middle level educators, and advocacy that will make certain their voices are heard.”
AMLE conducted a comprehensive national search in partnership with Maneva Group. The search engaged 487 prospective candidates through a combination of direct applications and targeted outreach, resulting in a highly competitive pool of leaders from the association, nonprofit, and education sectors. A Search Committee chaired by Chandra Diaz and comprised of James Barnes, Rachael Graham, Lisa Harrison, Maya Kratzke, and Sabine Phillips guided the process, ultimately recommending Chris Woodside to the full Board of Trustees, which unanimously approved his appointment as AMLE’s next Chief Executive Officer.
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About the Association for Middle Level Education
AMLE is the only international organization of its kind for middle school educators. With a community more than 35,000 members strong, AMLE is the go-to source for middle level education peer-reviewed research, best practice, and professional development. Explore our content and resources to learn why we are so passionate about young adolescents and get a sense of what’s possible when middle school educators support each other with a shared vision of success.