MAMLE Conference

Middle Level Education

Recently I attended the Maine Association Middle Level Education conference at Point Lookout. I was thrilled by the number of arts education sessions that were offered and how many times I heard participants mention the importance of the arts. I heard: “the arts engage students”, “hands-on opportunities in the arts are so needs for young adolescents”, and much more.

Tammy Ranger providing the keynote

Keynote speaker, 2017 Maine Teacher of the Year, Tammy Ranger, set the tone for the 2-day conference with stories that paralleled The Wizard of Oz. Her presentation was very inspiring. (I hope to provide the entire keynote in a future blog).

Connie Carter and Rob Shetterly provided a workshop with information about the Samantha Smith Challenge. The challenge asks middle school students: “How/why can creative arts and writing inspire action on serious issues?” What a great opportunity for arts teachers to bring this important question to students. Learn more from the post I provided last week on the Samantha Smith Challenge. I hope you will consider participating with your students.

Kristen Andersen, Katie Rybakova, Allysa Anderson

Camden Rockport Middle School music teacher Allysa Anderson and art teacher Kristen Andersen were recognized for an Exemplary Practice Award along with two colleagues for a very successful integrated unit. Afterwards they shared the unit in a session. Congratulations Allysa and Kristen!

A team from the Middle School of the Kennebunks, art teacher Mary McCarthy and STEM teacher Evan Chase were recognized with an Exemplary Practice Award as well. Congratulations to both!

Both awards were presented by new executive director of the Maine Middle Level Association Executive Director Katie Rybakova who teaches at Thomas College.

Evan Chase, Katie Rybakova, and Mary McCarthy

Save the date for the 2018 MAMLE conference – October 18-19 – Point Lookout, Northport. Providing a keynote is musician, teaching artist Monte Selby.