Middle Level Education Institute 2011

 

 

Achieving Student Improvement

 

Effective Middle Grades Now!

 

Thomas College, Waterville Maine

 

 

 

In Partnership With

The Maine Association for Middle Level Education  

 

 

 

August 1-5, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The Middle Level Education Institute was founded to provide a significant professional development experience for Maine teachers, administrators, and parents to learn about all aspects of young adolescent growth and development and establishing and improving middle level schools.”

Dr. Ed Brazee on the founding of MLEI in 1985.

 

 

A Message for Principals

 

Principals, be a hero and give your staff the gift of time. MLEI gives teachers the opportunity to hold critical conversations and do long term planning, resulting in improved student performance. It's the gift that keeps on giving.

 

Patti Kinney

Associate Director of Middle Level Services NASSP

2002 National Middle Level Principal of the Year

2009 MLEI Consultant

 

 

And From a Principal

 

"I urge all principals to roll up their sleeves, take off their ties, and come with a team of teachers to work on  teacher-initiated projects at the Middle Level Institute.  The MLEI provides a professional setting where you and your staff can work together on an issue with minimal distractions and expert support, while improving the cohesiveness of your team!"

 

Tom Leonard - Principal, Hall-Dale Elementary School

 

 

To see a slideshow of images from MLEI 2009

click on this link to slideshow.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                               

 

 

 

Components of the Institute that offer participants a unique experience!

 

 

•    Participants are encouraged to come in teams to work on a common project.

 

 

•    Significant blocks of time are reserved for teams to collaborate.

 

 

 Consultants who have state and national perspectives support and coach the teams.

 

 

 

•    All sessions and/or components model exemplary middle level teaching practices. 

 

 

•    Interactive daily general sessions engage participants in conversations about thought-provoking topics. 

  

 

 

•    Upon registration, participant questions will be collected and used to plan concurrent afternoon sessions.  These sessions feature outstanding teacher presenters sharing what works in the classroom.

 

 

•    Unique evening programs stimulate and offer a relaxed exchange of ideas as well as socializing and fun.  

 

 

•    The use of technology and digital learning opportunities are integrated into all aspects of the Institute. 

 

 

 

•    Networking opportunities with others from across the state and nation abound.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9 Compelling Reasons To Attend the 2010 Middle Level Education Institute

  

 

•    Explore ideas to continue to build or rejuvenate the major components of exemplary middle level programming, curriculum and instruction in your school. 

 

 

•    Expand your integration of digital learning whether in a technology rich environment or a single computer classroom. 

 

 

•    Learn how other teams and schools are dealing with current challenges like RTI, test scores, student physical and emotional health issues, very tight budgets, and the disparity in access to digital tools & resources. 

 

 

•    Recommit to your team as you collaborate on a project. 

 

 

•    Bounce ideas around with colleagues and nationally acclaimed consultants. 

 

 

•    Practice strategies that will transfer to your classroom or advisory group or other professional responsibilities. 

 

 

•    Leave with a plan of action or project that will positively impact your students’ growth and development. 

 

 

•    Earn graduate credits. 

 

 

 

•    Pump up your personal commitment to your teaching and your students.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traditional Elements of the Institute That Bring People Back

 

 

 

•    Focus on Young Adolescents:  Everyone at MLEI enjoys working with young adolescents and appreciates their uniqueness.

 

 

 

•    Emphasis on Effective Practices in the Middle Grades: The interconnectedness of curriculum, instruction, digital learning, relationships, teaming, advocacy, leadership, health and wellness, and community/parental support within the framework of 21st century challenges and possibilities will drive our work.

 

 

 

•    Team Time: Blocks of time each day to work on your own project.

 

 

 

•    Team Coaches: Every team with have a pair of coaches to bounce ideas off of, suggest resources, and offer ideas.

 

 

 

•    Super Teams: Time to network with schools that are working on similar projects as you.

 

 

 

•    One to One Consultant Time: Each consultant and "staph" member is available for small group/individual conversations.

 

 

 

•    Open Computer Lab: Support will be available to explore programs, web resources, and ways to integrate digital learning into any classroom—whether 1:1 for students or 1 computer for the entire classroom.

 

 

 

•    MLTI Experts On Tap: Questions answered, demonstrations provided, trouble-shooting offered.

 

 

 

•    NoteShare Notebook & Institute Wiki: All session handouts will be available through a NoteShare Notebook and wiki which anyone on any computer can access this summer and next year.

 

 

 

•    Amazing Atmosphere: Intellectually stimulating, supportive, energized, fun, and a willingness to push the education envelope describe the climate at MLEI!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are examples of ideas and resources from last summer's Institute!

They'll give you a taste of the type of programming at MLEI.

 

 

Patti Kinney's Student-Led Conference Info

 

 

 

Rick Wormeli's PowerPoint on Motivation

 

Found Poems

 

 

Open Space Technology

 

 

  

 

Meet the 2010 Consultants!

 

 

 

   

 

A Little About Our Consultants

 

 

 

 

Dr. Wally Alexander: Wally is an assistant professor of education at Thomas College, Executive Director of MAMLE and Editor-in-Chief for MAMLE publications.  A former middle school teacher, he presents nationally and is the author of Student-Oriented Curriculum: A Remarkable Journey of Discovery. 

  

Phil Brookhouse: Phil travels the state of Maine as one of the Statewide Integration Mentors (SWIM) for the Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) and presents nationally on integrating technology across the curriculum. He also works with preservice teachers. Previous to joining the MLTI team, he was a middle school science teacher who used inquiry to engage his students in challenging projects that stretched their learning.

 

    

Dr. Nancy Doda: Nancy is devoted to improving middle grades education across the globe,  Nancy is currently a full time professional development facilitator, conference speaker, and author. Formerclassroom teacher and university professor, professional development coach, and recipient of the National Middle School Association’s John Lounsbury Award for her global influence, Nancy blends research, practice and wisdom in her work with middle grades teachers and leaders.

  

Barbara Greenstone: Barbara is known across the state of Maine as one of the Statewide Integration Mentors (SWIM) for the Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI). A former middle school English/language arts/literacy teacher, Barbara blends the perspectives of student literacy needs with cutting edge digital learning to provide a unique perspective on 21st century learning skills. Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine (ACTEM) 2002 Teacher of the Year, Barbara presents nationally on various digital learning issues.

 

Sherry Littlefield: Sherry is a teacher at Warsaw Middle School in Pittsfield, a past MAMLE Middle Level Educator of the Year, and the Theresa Poulin Kane Visiting Consultant. A presenter at state, regional and national conferences, Sherry inspires the participants in her sessions to rethink their units and lessons.  She is a master teacher who engages her students in complex and creative thinking as they work collaboratively in a technology rich environment.

 

 

Argy Nestor: 

Argy is the Maine Department of Education's consultant for the Visual and Performing Arts. She is also their go-to person for middle level education.  Well know across Maine for her advocacy for the arts,  she brings many innovative ideas to the Institute in the areas of cross-curricular integration of the arts and creative thinking.

   

 

Mark Springer: Mark's two books, Watershed: A Successful Voyage Into Integrative Learning and Soundings: A Democratic Student-Centered Education have inspired teachers to reflect upon their classroom practices as they strive to increase student learning and achievement. He is master at developing classroom cultures that encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning and achieve at high levels.

 

 

 

Video Conferences

 

We will also be video conferencing with these three outstanding middle level educators!

 

Brenda Dyck, Canadian writer, presenter, teacher, and innovator in digital learninghttp://tiny.cc/Dyck)

 

Todd Williamson, outstanding teacher and digital learning innovator (http://tiny.cc/Williamson)

 

Rick Wormeli, internationally known author, presenter, consultant (http://tiny.cc/Wormeli)

 

 

Meet our STAPH!

(Yes, we know this is an unusual way to spell STAPH--It's because they have an infectious enthusiasm that infects everyone at the Institute!)

 

 

   Carol Duffy is a language arts teacher at the Lamoine School.  Creativity is a hallmark of her classroom where her students may be involved in a class play on a local historical figure or making books to publish their writing.

 

Tug Kellough is our renaissance man--boat building, opera, teaching, and being a surrogate parent for baby red squirrels are some of his talents.

 

Kara Smith has been with us for two years. No one can fail to return her bright smile.  Kara is a student and is a daily reminder why our work at the Institute is so important.

 

 

 

 

What Past Participants Have to Say About MLEI

 

 

 

“I keep going back to MLEI because it inspires me for the next school year! It’s awesome, from learning new teaching strategies to new technology.”

 

"Love that they treat you as a professional and let you work on what you need to,   You/ team choose your focus."

 

"Great that it gives you concentrated time to meet with a group and problem solve/collaborate that you don't have during the school year. Time for us is a gift.  The team time was abundant and well placed in the day.”

 

“Support staff were available to offer information and ideas. "

 

"Extremely informative- speakers and workshops gave us a wealth of knowledge.  The leaders' enthusiasm was contagious.  Great to hear so many people who value adolescence.  All the speakers were available to offer help.  It rekindled our enthusiasm and helped us remember things or goals that we had previously planned to use or focus on."

 

"Technology support was outstanding."

 

“One of the highlights of the Institutes was meeting new consultants from around the country – - the ones that wrote the texts we used in courses and the articles we read in journals. (WOW!) They were always accessible during the Institute, willing to talk with us about our small school and what we might do to improve our middle level program.”

 

 

FAQs

Click here to check out the page of Frequently Asked Questions!

 

 

 

Schedule

  

 

Monday (August 1): Check- In & Opening Sessions

 

Tuesday-Thursday:  (AM) General Session & Team Time; (PM) Concurrent Afternoon Sessions & Optional Evening Programs 

 

Friday: (AM)  Final Team Time, (PM) Closing Session & Check-Out

 

 

 

Graduate Credit

 

Three graduate credits are available through Thomas College.  Questions about the syllabus and course requirements should be directed to Dr. Wallace Alexander: 

Phone: (207) 859-1362 

 

Fax: (207) 859-111

 

E-mail: wallace_alexander@umit.maine.edu

Syllabus   Click on the word Syllabus to download.

 

 

Costs

 

 

These costs include three graduate credits or 4.5 CEU’s. 

These were costs for 2009 Institute and will be updated in 2010.

•    $950 for commuters includes lunch each day

 

•    $1200 to stay on campus which includes both housing and meals  ****Bedding & towels provided; however participants staying on campus need to bring their own pillows & soap.

 

While MLEI is clearly a great investment in professional development, money is always an issue. Depending on how participation is framed, state and federal grant monies can be allocated for attendance. There may be also be support available depending on negotiated contracts.  Another great strategy to use is the ACTEM (www.actem.org) professional development benefit of $400 to offset the cost of the Institute.t

 

 

 

Questions????

 

 

If you have questions about the Institute, please contact one of our co-directors:

 

Jill Spencer, Co-Director MLEI      spencerj51@yahoo.com          (207) 353-2746

Chris Toy, Co-Director MLEI         christoy.net@gmail.com         (207) 653-3163

 

 

 

 

Registration

 

Please contact:  Mikaela Ziobro   campusevents@thomas.edu   (207) 859-1211