Celebrate Middle Level Education in March

By Dru Tomlin, PhD, Director of Middle Level Services
@DruTomlin_AMLE

As we prepare to declare the start of spring, March is also Middle Level Education Month. And while every month is critical in the middle grades, March has been set aside as a time when we celebrate the power and the potential of the young adolescent and shine a warm light on those who help improve their educational lives.  

You can explore the rich resources online at the Association for Middle Level Education’s website at www.amle.org/mlem, but also consider starting the celebration by giving thought to an important but sometimes neglected “R” in education: Remembrance.  For many of us, early adolescence was a time mixed with challenge and triumph, friendship and frustration, humor and hurt, love and loathing—a time when we needed and craved support and caring to meet our unique (and ever-evolving) needs.  Thus, remembering what we were like as kids between the ages of 10 and 15 is one of the most important parts of Middle Level Education Month.  To serve young adolescents more effectively, take time in March to think back to those times.  Who helped you grow as a learner and as a person? And how are we celebrating and supporting students in our schools, businesses, homes, service agencies, and communities today?

In addition to remembering your own early adolescence, Middle Level Education Month is a time to recognize people who work with this age group every day.  Everyone who understands and cares for young adolescents is a middle level educator: teachers, mentors, school administrators, community and business leaders, college partners, families and service providers.  March is a time to shine the spotlight on anyone who improves the educational lives of children ages 10-15.

One of the 16 characteristics in This We Believe: Keys to Educating Young Adolescents states that an effective middle grades program is propelled by those who “value young adolescents and are prepared to teach them” (p. 15).  In the case of teachers, for instance, they are not only masters of their respective content areas (i.e., math, reading, science, music, social studies), but they are masterfully aware that their students are simultaneously achieving in multiple areas—physically, cognitively, socially, ethically, psychologically, morally and more!  And those who serve through their communities, businesses and service agencies are committed to not only the wellness of their own organizations, but they are equally committed to the wellness and development of young adolescents.  With that awareness and commitment, all middle level educators live three critical truths every day that need to be celebrated:

1. Middle level educators understand that academic gains happen when we attend to students’ other achievement areas.  People who work with young adolescents support their growth through movement, activity, engagement and group collaboration because young adolescents have physical and social needs that must be met in their daily educational lives.  No matter where, when, or from whom young adolescents learn, they need people who understand the truth that “the most successful learning strategies are ones that involve each student personally” (This We Believe, p. 16).
2. Middle level educators also live the daily reality of the adage, “Students care to learn when they learn that we care.” We need to shine a light on community service providers and business partners who realize that the first critical connection with a young adolescent is through the heart.  Similarly, we need to celebrate teachers and leaders in the middle grades as pedagogical artists who know not only how to create great lesson plans and clear master schedules, but also know how to sustain great relationships built on care, trust and compassion.  We help students blossom when we illuminate and practice “qualities of heart and mind” that “make a positive difference in the life of every young adolescent” (p. 15).
3. Middle level educators know that young adolescents add and bring value to the educational conversation.  Contrary to the belief of some people, young adolescents are not aimless, contrary “tweens” who are devoid of direction.  Those who work with these children every day see them differently.  Through their daily interactions, middle level educators see young adolescents as blossoming leaders, debaters, policymakers, service providers, artists, scientists, explorers and so much more.  They see in every young adolescent the glimmering power and vital potential of a life evolving.  And they know that each student deserves learning that nurtures and grows that potential—throughout March and every month of the year.

So as you start to feel the warmth of spring and see the sun linger longer in the March sky, join AMLE as we take time to acknowledge everyone who supports and improves the educational lives of children ages 10 to 15 years old.  Remember your own adolescence.  Recognize what makes young adolescents unique.  Support and celebrate our middle grades students!

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Dru Tomlin, Ph.D., is director of middle level services for the Association for Middle Level Education (www.amle.org).

Reference

National Middle School Association [now AMLE]. (2010). This we believe: Keys to educating young adolescents. Westerville, OH: Author.  www.amle.org/twb