Missouri English Language Arts Teacher, Kristen Engle, Selected for Top Honor from the Association for Middle Level Education

“Kristen is so deserving of this honor,” said Stephanie Simpson, AMLE CEO. “We know that middle schoolers are most successful when they have adult advocates who are invested in both their academic and social and emotional growth. Kristen is clearly an exceptional advocate for her kids. She shows up for them, sees them as individuals, and cares deeply about their development. She is just the ambassador for middle level education that the field needs.”

Engle began her teaching career in Jefferson City, Missouri in 2014 as a 7th grade Language Arts teacher, and has taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade English Language Arts at Rockwood School District in Fenton, Missouri since 2021. In addition to incorporating engaging project-based and interdisciplinary learning experiences in her instruction, she also empowers her students to use their voices beyond the classroom by submitting to regional and national writing contests. Kristen is well-known across the district for her ability to build meaningful, positive relationships with her students and their families. Her impactful instructional strategies have been noticed nationally, and she recently contributed to the book Writing Their Future Selves: Instructional Strategies to Affirm Student Identity. In addition to her work in the classroom, Engle also serves on the AMLE Teacher Leaders Committee.

“Ms. Engle strives to ignite a passion for reading and writing within our students and then empowers them to share their work with others,” said Dr. Laurie Birkenmeier, Principal of Rockwood South Middle School. “Both inside and outside the classroom, Kristen has demonstrated that she is a learning leader who immensely cares about the well-being of our students. I often find her working well beyond the school day, seeking feedback from others, planning for the needs of her students and our school, and/or participating in activities with students. It is a common occurrence for Ms. Engle to be the lead cheerleader for students at their sporting events, concerts, and more.”

“There are not enough words or ways to express my gratitude and appreciation for being selected as the 2024 AMLE Educator of the Year,” said Engle on her receipt of the award. “To be the first educator from Missouri to receive this award is such an incredible honor! I’m so fortunate to be supported, uplifted, and inspired by fantastic colleagues and school leaders who motivate me to be the best educator I can be for our students. What I especially love about teaching at the middle level is students’ curiosity in learning about the world around them as well as witnessing students come into their own as individuals. In general, every student at the middle level deserves a champion – someone who believes in them reaching their highest potential personally and academically even when they might not believe in themselves. To be able to have opportunities to be that champion for middle school students year after year is priceless.”

Engle’s impact extends beyond inspiring the next generation of writers; she also inspires future teachers. Hannah Nilges, one of her former students, is now a college student majoring in education. “Ms. Engle has impacted me because our relationship has gone far beyond just my one class with her,” Nilges said. “I think it made me realize why I want to be a teacher because the impact goes far beyond just that one subject, that one class, that one year. I want to be that support for other students like she was for me.”

###

Media Contact

Stephanie Simpson | AMLE | ssimpson@amle.org