National Association of Professors of Middle Level Education

Latest News

Fall 2013 CIMLE Journal

The AMLE and NaPOMLE Conference Newsletter

Look at some of our programs and people

Outstanding Middle Grades Program and People

Outstanding Middle Grades Program - The John H. Lounsbury School of Education at Georgia College and State University (pdf)

NaPOMLE Outstanding Professors of Middle level Education Recipients 2011

Dr. Kim Gray, middle level professor at Kennesaw State University was recognized as the Kim Ligon 2011 recipient of the Outstanding Professor of Middle Level Education from NaPOMLE. Dr. Gray has worked tirelessly for the past six years to improve teacher education on her campus. She is passionate about building constructive relationships with students, colleagues, and site coordinators in partnership schools. She is best known for her high level of advocacy for young adolescents. To that end, she developed a unique yearlong internship program at Kennesaw that resulted in a new esteemed perception of her middle grades teacher candidates. Dr. Gray also developed a unique economic strategy for sustaining this pilot program in a time when funding was extremely limited. Teacher leadership, young adolescent development, responsive curriculum and instruction, and authentic field experiences are the hallmark of Kim’s outstanding service to the profession. Her passion for bringing positive change to education is admired by all who know her.

Dr. Kimberly Ruebel, middle level professor at the University of Texas-Arlington was recognized as the 2011 recipient of the Outstanding Professor of Middle Level Education from NaPOMLE Kim Reubel . Dr. Ruebel was nominated for this award because of her advocacy for middle level education and her collegiality in working with students, faculty, and public school partners. She is an example of what it means to be a good team member, to be a visionary, to be an advocate, to work tirelessly, and to share one's passion for young adolescents. Her vision for and impact on the UT-A middle level program for the past five years has been outstanding. Dr. Ruebel’s work with Teacher Induction Website, an on-line professional development website, is one of the hallmarks of her recent service to local middle level teachers. Another highly regarded program that she developed at UT-A is the two year apprentice based program for teacher candidates. Kim worked hard to develop and implement this program because she believed it to be ideal for mid-level teacher candidates. For those who know and work with her, it is clear that her unselfish leadership has improved the lives of university students as well as her surrounding professional community. Ultimately, she impacts the lives of young adolescents by sending them truly well trained, talented teachers.

Paul George's introductory speech Middle Level Symposium (pdf)

On May 18-20, 2011, over 100 of America’s best and most experienced minds in middle level education gathered in Milledgeville, Georgia for the special Southeastern Regional Professors of Middle Level Education (POMLE) Symposium, “Celebrating the Legacy of the Middle School and Envisioning Its Future.” This landmark meeting was held on the campus of Georgia College where POMLE was born in 1987. Included in this extraordinary collection of intellectual prowess were most of the pioneer leaders whose works comprised the volume, The Legacy of the Middle School: In Their Own Words, which was released at the symposium.

The American Middle School Movement: Taking The Long View (pdf) Paul S. George

Interview with Will Waidleich, AMLE (11:24) (Download as MP3)

New Digital Book - Keeping Middle Schools Successful (2011)
Edited by Dr. Betty Dore, Radford University

In Memoriam

Gordon F. Vars, by Tracy Smith

NaMOPLE morns the loss of a bright and shining star, Dr. Jennifer Lee Wilson, 36.

Jenniferwas a highly regarded NaMOPLE colleague, andprofessor in The University of South Carolina's (USC) College of Education Department of Instruction and Teacher Education. She was known for her work with beginning teachers and students in Columbia and around the world. A globe-trotting, energetic education professor, she was respected by colleagues and loved by students. She had worked with children and teachers worldwide, in places like Norway , Tanzania and China , as well as at Hand Middle School in Columbia . She led writers' camps for young people.

Joining USC in 2005, she won many grants, including the prestigious Fulbright scholarship. Her latest award was in 2010 — a USC distinguished early career teaching award, based in part on peer reviews and student feedback. In 2011, Jennifer was promoted with tenure.

USC Provost Michael Amiridis noted, “She was one of these very gifted individuals who brightened the room with her contagious smile, enthusiasm and positive and exciting statements, and had passion and pride in the academic world and vision.