Research is clear that family engagement in middle school is essential for student success. Yet it sometimes feels like schools and families are more divided than ever. Middle school leaders must build stronger partnerships that help both constituencies achieve their shared goal: success for the whole student. In celebration of Middle Level Education Month #MLEM,
Read More… from Leading from the Middle: Four Things Middle School Leaders Want Parents to Know
Strong leadership is essential to a successful middle school. This statement may seem obvious, but a leader who possesses the unique skillset to lead from the middle can be easy to take for granted. In fact, decades of research tell us that middle grades leadership is so essential that it’s included as the third pillar
Read More… from Leading from the Middle: The Unique Skillset of the Middle School Leader
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In a recent episode of the Middle School Walk & Talk Podcast, Kevin Armstrong, middle school principal and incoming President of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), recounted a story from his career as a middle grades leader. After serving as a middle school assistant principal for four years, he received a call
Read More… from Leading from the Middle: Finding Your Place and Your People in the Middle Grades
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“Bless your heart.” “I’m so sorry!” “Why?” If you’re a middle grades educator, it’s likely you’ve heard one of these reactions when you tell someone your profession. It’s not uncommon for people to recount negative memories from their own time as a middle schooler or bemoan, “kids these days.” Even though 10–15-year-olds are experiencing the
Read More… from Middle School Gets a Bad Rap. It’s Time to Flip the Script.
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Post-pandemic, students are yearning for connection. This has made the shared purpose that school mission statements and core values provide for a school community critical. And, I argue, one of the best ways to realize this collective “why” is through advisory. Done well, successful advisory programs are designed around the needs of students, giving them
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Research makes clear that to be successful, middle schools must address school safety proactively, justly, and thoughtfully. We also know that school safety is first and foremost rooted in school culture. Unfortunately, it’s sometimes the case that schools’ approaches to safety can actually cause students to feel less safe. That’s why when I heard about
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