AMLE/HIDOE Hawai’i Island Middle Grades Summit

January 16, 2024
OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa

Offered in partnership with the Association of Middle Level Education (AMLE), please join the Hawaii Department of Education’s (HIDOE) Middle Level Program for an empowering, professional summit! We’ll explore best practices for middle level education and work toward a shared vision of young adolescent student success. From keynote and featured presentations to speed learning and networking across schools, attendees will leave with a wealth of knowledge and practical insights that can be implemented the next day in your school communities.

Conference Topics

Featured Voices

Schedule

Conference Sessions

What can I expect?

Attendees can expect a deep-dive into middle gradesʻ best practices as outlined in AMLE’s definitive landmark The Successful Middle School: This We Believe. Together we’ll explore the 18 characteristics of successful middle schools across three overarching categories:

Curriculum Instruction and Assessment

“The goal of the middle school should be to stimulate in the child a love for learning, an attitude of inquiry, a passion for truth and beauty, a questioning mind. The learning of right answers is not enough…beyond answers alone, we must help children ask the right questions, and discover their answers through creative thinking, reasoning, judging, and understanding.” – Dr. William Alexander

Leadership and Organization

“If we are to build the real middle level school, the school that is developmentally responsive and intellectually vigorous, it will take convictions and the courage to carry them out.” – Dr. John H. Lounsbury

Culture and Community

“Middle school educators purposefully foster a culture that sustains the dignity of all members within the school community. This includes students, their families, local community members, and the staff who work within the school. Affirming classroom communities, whether physical or virtual, are formed when students’ identities are valued and respected.” – Dr. Penny Bishop and Dr. Lisa Harrison

Conference Topics

Come ready to be inspired and elevate your learning as we renew our collective commitment to middle level education. You will leave with a vast array of insights and strategies on AMLE’s 18 essential middle level characteristics that can be applied across grade levels:

Healthy Habits, Healthy Schools
- Strong Student Relationships
- Strong Educational Workplace Relationships
- Positive School Climate and Culture
- Restorative Practices and Positive Discipline
- An Impactful Advisory Program
Effective Academic Practices
- Instructional Strategies
- Subject Specific Strategies
- Project-Based Learning
Action Oriented Data Decision Making
- Instruction based on Formative Assessments
Responsive Capacity Building
- Building Leadership Capacity within your Complex Area/District
- Young Adolescent Development
- Successful Middle School Teaming Practices

Keynote and Featured Voices

Nathan Maynard
Keynote Speaker

Todd Brist

Laura Hinds

Katie Johnson

Jennifer Rose

Schedule

Tuesday, January 16
Registration	7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Opening General Session	8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Deep Dive Workshop #1	9:40 AM – 11:50 AM
Breakout Session #1	9:40 AM – 10:40 AM
Breakout Session #2	10:50 AM – 11:50 AM
Lunch	11:50 AM – 12:50PM
Deep Dive Workshop #2	12:50 PM – 3:00 PM
Breakout Session #3	12:50 PM – 1:50 PM
Breakout Session #4	2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
This I Believe Closing Session	3:10 PM – 3:30 PM

Schedule is tentative and subject to change