AMLE

Exciting News! The Call for Presentations and Early Bird Registration for the 53rd Annual Conference for Middle Level Education are NOW OPEN! View the schedule overview, registration breakdown (with group discounts available), and presentation formats: amle.org/annual #AMLE26

Brain science is not a fad! Research shows when an entire faculty understands how learning works, collective efficacy rises & students benefit. Glenn Whitman joins our podcast to share guiding principals from his school's 18-year focus on the science of learning, covering key concepts like neuroplasticity, belonging, executive functioning, and the need for stronger reading instruction in middle and high school: ow.ly/AStP50YwwTH

Don't forget! The deadline to participate in this year's global Middle School Student Soundoff Contest is April 3! Students can sound off on their middle school experience by responding to one of our prompts. Because we know that each middle school has different interests, talents, and ways of expressing themselves, they can submit in the format that most appeals to them: ✅ Artwork or photography ✅ Video or music ✅ Essays or poetry Submit here 👉 amle.org/soundoff

Nominations are now open for the prestigious AMLE Educator of the Year award! Do you know a phenomenal middle level educator who has made an impact on the lives of young adolescents with a significant body of work while advancing the field of middle level education through leadership, vision, and advocacy? Gather inspiration from last year's honoree along with this year's application, due July 15: ow.ly/Ukxz50Yt2n2

Join us for our next Middle School Leadership Roundtable on Wednesday, March 25 at 4 p.m. ET to explore the art and practice of conducting effective observations. Presenters and attendees will share the evaluation systems they use and examine varied approaches for structuring pre‑observation, observation, and post‑observation cycles. Expect meaningful conversation, practical strategies, and a supportive space to learn from each other’s successes and challenges. Register to receive the meeting link: amle.org/marchroundtable

🍀Who's feeling extra lucky this week? Time to share your total points earned so far in the Middle Level Education Month Quest for Prizes! ow.ly/U7fW50YpZ2e We'll send a $25 Amazon Gift Card to the person who comments by 11:59 p.m. ET Friday, March 20th with the most points earned so far! (The winner will be determined as the person with the highest points recorded across all our socials; limit one prize per person across all weekly online contests.) There's one more week to take the lead, so keep tallying those points! 🥇 #MLEM26 #crossposted

📢We are pleased to be sharing some BIG NEWS for educators serving students in the middle grades! Today marks the launch of a new reciprocal membership program between @amle and @naesp. 🙌🙌 This new initiative gives eligible members of one organization access to complimentary membership in the other, for access to even more resources, professional learning, leadership tools, publications, and networking opportunities tailored to elementary and middle-level educators. Whether you're focused on young adolescents (10-15) with AMLE or supporting pre-K through 8th grade principals with NAESP, this collaboration strengthens support across the continuum and encourages greater collaboration in our field. ➡️Read the press release: ow.ly/nrFF50YvmKn ➡️Learn more about reciprocal membership: amle.org/naesp-membersh… 🫵Tag a colleague to share this awesome opportunity!

Don't miss out! Spots are going fast for AMLE's 2026 Institute for Middle Level Leadership, June 28–July 1. Connect with educators from across the country, gain actionable strategies from top faculty, and recharge in the Big Easy. ⚜️Learn more & register: amle.org/leadership

Applications are now being accepted through April 30th for the Dr. Conrad Toepfer Award: amle.org/toepfer ✨Toepfer's legacy award advocates for educational opportunities, including using the arts, that link students’ concerns and questions about themselves and their changing world and that help them relate facts, skills, and concepts to their own interests and real-world problems. Any person, group of educators, or community members who work with 10-to-15-year-old students may apply or be nominated. AMLE membership is NOT required to be eligible.

Did you know AMLE members can earn four hours continuing education for completing the self-paced Successful Middle School Course Series? The course explores each of the essential attributes and characteristics of a successful middle school in a self-paced, virtual format with exercises and reflections throughout to help learners understand how to realize and embed these principals in their daily practice. Complete these individually or together as a team based on your learning preference. amle.org/smsonline

Do you know a middle level educator who has a talent for helping students feel both supported and challenged to grow? The AMLE Adult Advocate Award honors educators with a knack for building authentic relationships with students who deserve recognizition for helping students feel seen, valued, and understood. Nominations are due March 31: ow.ly/A3cJ50YoTFn

What's it really like to be a middle schooler in 2026? Calling all young adolescents aged 10-15 to tell us in your own unique and authentic way. See full contest details: amle.org/soundoff #mlem26 #mlem

Great news! We've created another opportunity to attend the Middle School Leadership Roundtable on conducting effective observations. Join AMLE School of Distinction Principal Chad Corey as we dive into the art and practice of effective evaluations. This session will offer time for an open discussion of approaches to pre-observation, observation, and post-observation cycles. Our Leadership Roundtables are a great chance to connect with fellow middle level leaders, share successes and challenges, and walk away with actionable ideas. Mark your calendars for the new date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET. Register for the meeting link: amle.org/marchroundtable

Don't dread Friday the 13th this week: let's turn superstition into celebration! 🚫🐈‍⬛=🥳 Comment below with the total points you've earned so far in the Middle Level Education Month Quest for Prizes. ow.ly/U7fW50YpZ2e 💥This week; because we know #FridayThe13th already brings about enough challenges, we'll select a winner for a $25 Amazon Gift Card from ANYONE who comments with their point total across our socials, no matter the number! **Plus** Get a bonus entry for each middle level educator friend you tag! #MLEM26 #crossposted

ICYMI: This one's perfect for #MLEM26! Educational leader and leadership wellness expert, Vernicca Wynter joins Middle School Walk & Talk sharing actionable tips for teachers and administrators to cultivate thriving school cultures and combat burnout. ow.ly/fF3c50YoLUZ 🥇Don't forget to award yourself 5 points in AMLE's Quest for Prizes for listening: ow.ly/cZqR50YoNnQ

ATTENTION AMLE MEMBERS🤩 The application window for 2026 Successful Middle School Grant is NOW OPEN! View highlights of past grantees along with this year's application👉 amle.org/smsgrant

How are you doing on your Middle Level Education Month Quest for Prizes? ow.ly/U7fW50YpZ2e We'll send a $25 Amazon Gift Card to the person who comments by 11:59 p.m. ET Sunday, March 8 with the most points earned so far! (The winner will be determined as the person with the highest points recorded across all our socials) ⏰Need more time to catch up? We'll be giving away a gift card each week this month, so keep your 👀 out for more notices, and keep tallying those points! 🥇

Research shows that students who can name a trusted adult at school experience many benefits, including greater engagement in the classroom, lower likelihood of bullying or being bullied, and reduced participation in risky behaviors. Each day, thousands of adult advocates show up for kids in ways that matter to them, from teachers and administrators, to counselors and coaches. ✨✨NOW is your chance to nominate the middle level educators who deserve recognition for going above and beyond for young adolescents! ✨✨ Nominate a colleague today: ow.ly/nm2g50YoTFp

Making summer PD plans? 😎 Join us for the AMLE Leadership Institute: a learning retreat rooted in middle grades best practice, tailored for aspiring and current middle grades leaders and teams. View the preliminary schedule and register at Early Bird Rates now! amle.org/leadership

It's Middle Level Education Month, and we're thrilled to be kicking off the fourth annual MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT SOUND OFF. 🗣️ Students can sound off on their middle school experience by responding to one of our prompts. Because we know that each middle schooler has different interests, talents, and ways of expressing themselves, they can submit in the format that most appeals to them! Submissions are due April 3 👉 ow.ly/6bTw50YoSjj