Get Involved

AMLE unites more than 35,000 global educators dedicated to enhancing middle school education for students aged 10-15. We know how special and impactful the middle grades years are for our students. Your involvement means that together we can promote our mission to grow professionally, reach every student, and create great schools. 

The easiest way to get involved is by joining as a member. Membership dues support the mission of our non-profit association – and come with some pretty awesome benefits. Explore membership opportunities for students, individuals, schools, and districts. 

Already a member and ready to take the next step to become more involved? We need your passion and involvement! Explore available opportunities and check back throughout the year as new initiatives get underway. 

Volunteer

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Apply to Serve on a Committee

AMLE relies on volunteer committee members to guide the work of our association. Committees contribute to AMLE’s mission in a variety away, including authoring publications and position papers, presenting at the Annual Conference, spearheading new initiatives and programming, and providing input to the AMLE Board of Trustees.    

If you are passionate about middle level education and want to volunteer your time to advance your profession, there’s a role for you. Our current constituent committees include: 

  • Principals Committee
  • Assistant Principals Committee
  • Equity in Middle Grades Education Committee
  • Early Career Educator Committee
  • Teacher Leaders Committee
  • Advocacy Committee

Learn more about our current AMLE Constituent Committee members.

Committees provide advice to AMLE staff and leadership on their areas of expertise, help develop new resources and programs to meet their constituencies needs, design and present sessions for the Annual Conference, and author articles for AMLE publications, among other tasks. Committees typically meet quarterly and members are expected to commit an estimated 10 hours/year on special projects/initiatives. In gratitude for their service, committee members receive a $100 discount of all AMLE live events, including the Institute for Middle Level Leadership and the Annual Conference, the opportunity to network with passionate colleagues and give back to their professional community, and an annual appreciation gift from AMLE. Interested members should complete the AMLE Constituent Volunteer Committee Interest form.

Applications are now open for 2025 appointments! Complete your application by January 17 for consideration. Candidates will be notified by January 31 as to the status of their application. 

Write for AMLE

Write for AMLE

AMLE actively ideas and perspectives on teaching and reaching 10- to 15-year-olds. Have research to share? Or just a great idea or initiative happening in your school? There are several ways to share your insights:

  • AMLE Focus on the Middle: Contribute an article for our bi-monthly membership newsletter. Articles are published weekly on AMLE.org and promoted through our social media channels. Must be 1,000 words or less an include references to cited research. Submit article proposals to membercenter@amle.org.
  • Middle School Journal: Contribute to our refereed journal. We also accept middle school student submissions to highlight the voices and perspectives of young adolescents. Explore our Submission Guidelines and latest Call for Manuscripts.
  • AMLE Publications: AMLE accepts publication proposals from prospective authors on an ongoing basis. Prospective authors should review AMLE’s Publications page for more information about proposing a new publication.
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Submit an Initiative

AMLE is a member-driven community and values the input and ideas of each member. The initiative petition process ensures that every member has a way to bring his or her issues of interest to the board’s attention. Initially, members must raise the initiative with a trustee prior to submitting a petition in order that available channels for Board consideration be exhausted prior to commencement of this process. Connect with a Trustee or View the Initiative Petition Form.

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Serve on the AMLE Board of Trustees

The AMLE Board of Trustees works collaboratively with AMLE staff to develop policies, procedures, and regulations for the operation of the Association; to monitor the Association’s financial health, programs and overall performance; and to provide the Chief Executive Officer with the resources to meet the mission, goals and objectives of the Association.

Meet our current Board members, learn about elections, and find out how to submit your name for the ballot.

Nominations for open 2026 positions on the Board of Trustees will open in April, 2025.  

RECOGNIZE A COLLEAGUE

AMLE recognizes exceptional middle level education professionals each year through our awards programs. Learn more about each award, past awardees, and the nomination process:

Jeanneine Jones Lounsbury Award

John H. Lounsbury Award

The John H. Lounsbury Award for Distinguished Achievement in Middle Level Education is the highest award given by the Association for Middle Level Education.

AMLE Educator of the Year

This award, previously known as the Distinguished Educator Award, recognizes outstanding practitioners in middle level education—those who have made a significant impact on the lives of 10- to 15-year-olds through leadership, vision, and advocacy.

AMLE Distinguished Service Award

This award recognizes outstanding service by an organization or an individual who makes a significant contribution to advancing the work of the Association for Middle Level Education in reaching educators, schools, and students.

Tom Erb Award

This award recognizes an outstanding article published within the last three years in one of AMLE’s two peer-reviewed periodicals: Middle School Journal and Research in Middle Level Education Online.

APPLY FOR A GRANT

Our AMLE Foundation Fund supports grant programs for both schools and middle level education student chapters. Learn more about each program and the application process:

2024 Toepfer Award

The Conrad Toepfer Award for the Civic Engagement of Middle School Students

  • Purpose: To recognizes initiatives that actively engage middle level students in meaningful experiences that address the social-emotional, psychological, and/or moral/ethical developmental needs of young adolescents.
  • Award: $1,000 cash award and invitation to present/complimentary registration and travel stipend to the AMLE Annual Conference
CMLA Grant Winners

Collegiate Middle Level Association (CMLA) Chapter Grant

  • Purpose: To provide funding to a CMLA chapter that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the preparation of future teachers of middle level education.
  • Award: $2,000 cash award and complimentary registration to defray the cost of attending the AMLE Annual Conference.
SMS Grant Program

The Successful Middle School Grant

  • Purpose: The Successful Middle School Grant provides funding for educators engaged in promising, research-based practices that fulfill one or more of the 18 Characteristics of Successful Middle Schools.
  • Award: $5,000 cash award and complimentary registration to present at the AMLE Annual Conference.

BE AN ADVOCATE FOR MIDDLE LEVEL EDUCATION

You are an advocate for middle level education just by showing up for your students each and every day. Amplify our mission of promoting the educational needs of young adolescents and the professional needs of the educators who serve them!

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Sign up to receive updates and opportunities to advocate for middle level education, including during Middle Level Education month each March.