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New Teacher on the Block: How to Transition into a New School

Five tips for finding teaching success in a new school. Transitioning to a new school after 10 years can be overwhelming to say the least. I know from experience. However, the transition can be smoother and less stressful with the help of friends, colleagues, administrators, and these Five Rs: 1. Re-familiarize yourself with standards, goals, and

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Transitioning to Higher Ed: Reflections of a Middle Grades Professor

Comparing middle level and college instruction. Career changes often come with feelings of apprehension, excitement, and concern. At the same time, they also present an opportunity to reflect, process information, and use the change as a springboard for future and greater success. After 15 years in the public schools as a teacher and administrator, I

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Pick Me! Pick Me! Experimenting with Discussion Interventions

Creating a balance during classroom discussions. “Fine! Don’t call on me!” My student was obviously upset. I hadn’t called on him during the entire lesson. I wasn’t trying to be mean or purposely picking on him. I was experimenting with different lesson interventions, hoping to improve students’ speaking and listening skills in my seventh grade

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Finding My Way Back

Making a comeback to teaching in the middle. I miss teaching. I’m shocked even to admit that. I’m even more shocked to admit that I’m considering a comeback. I’ve spent the past five years trying to separate myself from the teaching profession. My Arkansas Teaching License has done nothing but gather dust since 2010, used

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AMLE Celebrates Inaugural Schools of Distinction

AMLE recognized its inaugural class of Schools of Distinction earlier this month, in conjunction with the organization’s 49th Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida. The twelve schools were selected for their fervent commitment to implementing the essential attributes and characteristics of successful middle grades schools. In addition to being celebrated during a special awards ceremony, each

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Reimagining School – What should it look like and who is it for?

Cornelius Minor and Kass Minor help #AMLE22 attendees find their bottom lines as educators Cornelius and Kass Minor believe that kids don’t just learn in school. They become. It’s an attitude reflective of what we know about middle grades best practice, making them the perfect keynoters for #AMLE22 and our return to in-person conference. We

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Kindness is harder than it looks.

Houston Kraft reminds #AMLE22 attendees that connection doesn’t happen by accident. Houston Kraft, author and co-founder of CharacterStrong, took the main stage at #AMLE22 yesterday for his keynote address on Deep Kindness. From the outset, he made clear that he had a mission for those in attendance. “If we want more kindness on our campus,

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