AMLE Podcasts

Check out this podcast with Heather Boltz, sixth grade English teacher and author of the AMLE Magazine article, "From Students to Relationships: Transforming Your Classroom." Listen in and get valuable insights about how to make relationships work in the middle level.

AMLE talks with Angela Falter Thomas about her article entitled, "Dealing with Death: The Toughest Lesson" from the May 2015 edition of AMLE Magazine. We discuss how to support our young adolescents and ourselves when tragedies happen inside and outside of the school house. Listen in on this impactful interview and continue to reach every student, grow professionally, and create great schools.

Listen as AMLE talks with Melinda, a third year principal, about the hopes she has for her school, her students, and herself as the school year begins. Continue to follow Melinda's journey as we keep the conversation going throughout the school year.

Listen in as AMLE talks to Abbey, a first year teacher, about the hopes she has for herself and her students as the school year begins. Continue to follow Abbey's journey as we keep the conversation going throughout the school year.

AMLE talks with Ashley Butler about "Lead2Feed" from her January 2015 AMLE Magazine Partner Spotlight article. We talk about the Lead2Feed program and how we can grow service-learning and community engagement in our middle schools. Listen in, reach every student, grow professionally and create great schools!

AMLE and hosts Shawn McGirr and Troy Patterson of Middle School Matters speak with Dr. Kristina Doubet, associate professor of middle and secondary education at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Dr. Doubet shares how formative assessment is a critical first step in differentiating instruction, itemizes misconceptions about the concept, and includes tips on effectively using formative assessment in the classroom. With more than 10 years of experience teaching middle and secondary English, Dr. Doubet prepares future middle and high school teachers for careers in the classroom. She completed her M.Ed. and Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction at the University of Virginia where she studied the impact of differentiated instruction on student performance in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms. Dr. Doubet works regularly with practicing teachers from all grade levels and content areas as a staff developer for schools and districts implementing initiatives in the areas of Common Core State Standards, formative assessment, and differentiated instruction.

Our inaugural podcast with partner Middle School Matters, show hosts Shawn McGirr and Troy Patterson speak with Todd Williamson, director of technology and science for Carteret County Schools (Beaufort, NC), MiddleTalk participant, and NCMSA Technology Specialist. Todd discusses the Tech-in-20 series, a program designed to introduce teachers to technology with flexibility to differentiate staff development for various learners. Also covered is the Middle School Portal-Math and Science Pathways project.

Mary Henton, manager of the Middle School Portal Two, talks with Cally Stockton, author of Minds and Motion: Active Learning for the Classroom.

Jack Berckemeyer, assistant executive director for NMSA, is joined by Kim Campbell, classroom teacher and member of the NMSA Site-Based Services Speakers Cadre. Jack and Kim share ideas about student motivation and the role of the classroom teacher. They discuss practical ways to motivate the young adolescent.

Join Jack Berckemeyer, assistant executive director for NMSA, and Howard Ormond, principal and member of the NMSA Site-Based Services Speakers Cadre, for a discussion on specific strategies to motivate young adolescents. They examine the importance of building positive relationships with your students and how teachers can truly impact the lives of young adolescents.

The impact of school uniforms is an issue that affects schools, parents, and students alike. Join Jack Berckemeyer, NMSA assistant executive director, and Ms. Ernie Rambo as they focus on this timely topic. Ernie is a classroom teacher in Las Vegas, Nevada, and has been directly involved with the implications of the uniform issue. Jack and Ernie examine the advantages and disadvantages of school uniforms and talk about questions the teachers might have regarding the uniform issue and how to address students concerns.

Jack Berckemeyer, assistant executive director of NMSA, talks with Rita Pierson about her upcoming speech at the NMSA09 Annual Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. Rita shares her thoughts on what topics she will cover as the Teacher Luncheon speaker. Rita's vast knowledge in staff motivation, poverty issues, and school climate make Rita a must hear speaker.

In this second part of a two-part discussion about formative assessment, Kate Garrison, Manager of Products and services for Professional Development with Measured Progress, discusses the culture of formative assessment.

Bob Spear and Jack Berckemeyer discuss the importance of advisory in the middle school. They also examine how advisory has changed over the last several years with the impact of the No Child Left Behind Act and other mandates. This episode provides schools and individuals with a sense of understanding the importance a quality advisory program brings to any great middle school.

Ever wonder about the issues regarding the single sex classroom? Jack Berckemeyer, National Middle School Association assistant executive director, and Judith Baenen, editor of NMSA's The Family Connection and member of the Site-Based Services Speakers Cadre, take on this hot topic! Judith shares her knowledge of the single sex classroom and why it has become such a huge issue. The conversation also examines the differences between how girls learn versus boys and what teachers can do to address those distinctions.

Kim Campbell, a classroom teacher and member of the NMSA Site-Based Services Cadre, talks about the SOAR program with NMSA's Assistant Executive Director, Jack Berckemeyer. The SOAR program has been used at Kim's school to help deal with the achievement gap. Jack and Kim share practical ways to introduce SOAR and provide concrete examples of the program's impact in the lives of young adolescents.

Formative assessment is a verb, not a noun. A process whereby students and teachers maintain ongoing conversation about learning, formative assessment is key to student achievement. Kate Garrison, manager of products and services for professional development with Measured Progress, debunks 5 myths about formative assessment in the first of this 2-part discussion.

In this episode, Jack Berckemeyer, assistant executive director for National Middle School Association, talks with middle level expert and member of the NMSA Site-Based Services Speakers Cadre Nancy Doda on the issues of student motivation. Nancy shares information about the power of student choice and the impact of allowing students to have a voice in the classroom.

Join Jack Berckemeyer, assistant executive director for National Middle School Association, and Dr. Santo Pino as they discuss the importance of community involvement and business partnerships within the school. Jack and Santo also share ideas on ways to involve businesses in your school and the issues and concerns schools might experience.

Jill Spencer, a member of the NMSA Site-Based Services Speakers Cadre, has a discussion about cyber citizenship and its issues with Jack Berckemeyer, assistant executive director for National Middle School Association. Jill explains what it means to be a good cyber citizen in today's day and age. She elaborates on appropriate actions for young adolescents when dealing with technology, and shares some great examples for classroom teachers to use.

Michael Galbraith and Bob Vogel, authors of the new books Voices of Teens: Writers Matter and Voices of Teens: In Their Own Words tell NMSA director of publications April Tibbles how they engaged, even empowered, students through reflective writing. Together, Michael and Bob crafted a magical program for the middle school classroom based on Erin Gruwell's Freedom Writer's Diary.

Features Todd Williamson, a 7th grade science teacher who employed student-created podcasts to enrich a science unit on human body systems. Todd explains how producing the podcasts helped students improve science, literacy, and technology skills and understanding.

Features Erica Roberts, interviewed by Mary Henton, NMSA director of integrated media initiatives. When Erica used wikis as the format for an annual social studies curriculum project, her students were engaged and learned.

Features Bill Ivey, interviewed by Mary Henton, NMSA director of integrated media initiatives. Bill tells the story and shares insights about how students in his humanities class, in Massachusetts, used Skype to collaborate and learn with students in New York City.

Features three middle school principals taking questions from undergraduate students. At the April 2008 gathering of the Collegiate Middle Level Association, students preparing to teach in the middle grades had an opportunity to pose questions to three seasoned middle school principals.

Features Kathy Hunt Ullock, educational consultant and member of the National Middle School Association Site Based Services cadre, talking with Jack Berckemeyer, NMSA assistant executive director. Kathy and Jack offer advice to the new teacher and discuss the importance of establishing a support system.

Features Ross Burkhardt, former teacher, past president of National Middle School Association, and a member of NMSA's Site Based Services cadre talking with Jack Berckemeyer, NMSA assistant executive director. Ross and Jack talk about building professional relationships within the school.

Features Sherrel Bergmann, middle level educator and consultant, talking with Jack Berckemeyer, NMSA assistant executive director. Sherrel and Jack share concrete, practical suggestions for the new teacher. They also comment on steps to build safe, respectful relationships in the classroom.

Features Kenneth Brighton, intereviewed by April Tibbles, NMSA director of publications. A middle school teacher for two decades, Kenneth is currently a professor at Johnson State College specializing in middle level education and adolescent development. This show discusses his book, Coming of Age: The Education & Development of Young Adolescents.

Features Walt Grebing, consultant and former middle level principal, talking with Jack Berckemeyer, NMSA assistant executive director. Walt and Jack discuss what principals are looking for during the interview process and tips on how to adjust to your new school environment.

Features Judy Brough, professor of middle level education and consultant, talking with Jack Berckemeyer, NMSA assistant executive director. Judy and Jack talk about pre-service teacher education and reflective classroom practice.

Features Nancy Feigenbaum, intereviewed by April Tibbles, NMSA director of publications. Nancy, a successful reporter for 14 years and a first-year teacher at age 41, shares her experiences in her first year of teaching. This show discusses her book, More Than I Ever Imagined: A First-Year Teacher's Discoveries.

Features Debbie Silver, middle level educator and consultant, talking with Jack Berckemeyer, NMSA assistant executive director. Debbie and Jack offer ideas and concrete suggestions to help the new teacher organize for success.

Features Dave Shepard, a former middle level principal, talking with Jack Berckemeyer, NMSA assistant executive director. Dave and Jack talk about identifying a good teaching candidate, and offer advice to the new teacher about first steps in classroom management and student motivation.

Features Charlene Giannetti and Margaret Sagarese, intereviewed by April Tibbles, NMSA director of publications. Charlene and Margaret are recognized experts on young adolescent behavior. This episode discusses the publication Keep Cliques and Bullies from Invading Your School, and provides useful information on dealing with this issue.

Features Judith Baenen, middle level professor and educator, talking with Jack Berckemeyer, NMSA assistant executive director. Judith and Jack talk about building relationships with parents and families, pre-service course work, suppporting new teachers, and maintaining a sense of humor.

Features Nick Toombs, a second year teacher in Denver, CO, talking with Jack Berckemeyer, NMSA assistant executive director. Nick shares some of his experiences as a new teacher and talks about the preparation necessary for the first interview and the difference between his first and second years of teaching.

Features Gail Heinemeyer, former middle school principal, talking with NMSA directors Jack Berckemeyer and Mary Henton. The conversation focuses on the advantages of staff participation in a book study on This We Believe: Successful School for Young Adolescents. Gail also offers advice to leverage data for student achievement.

Features winning student podcasts from the 2007-2008 edition of Expressions from the Middle. Expressions from the Middle is an online feature of Month of the Young Adolescent that celebrates young adolescents by showcasing student creative projects from around the world.

Features Carol Ann Tomlinson, interviewed by April Tibbles, NMSA director of publications. Carol is a recognized expert on gifted and talented students, meeting the needs of all students, and differentiated learning. This show discusses Carol's recent book Smart in the Middle Grades: Classrooms That Work for Bright Middle Schoolers. Carol offers some insights about working with high ability and high potential students.

Features Sue Thompson and John Niska, interviewed by April Tibbles, NMSA director of publications. Together they discuss NMSA's newest professional development kit, Launching a Successful Advisory Program. The show highlights the importance of authentic advocacy and advisory programs, while John and Sue share their experiences.

Features Susan Rakow, Ph.D., interviewed by April Tibbles, NMSA director of publications. Dr. Rakow is assistant professor in Curriculum and Gifted Education at Cleveland State University and has 30 years experience teaching middle school and gifted students. Susan talks about meeting the needs of all students, including those with high ability and high potential.

Features Ed Vittardi, interviewed by Mary Henton, NMSA director of integrated media initiatives. Ed is currently working with NMSA as a facilitator for the Summer Leadership Institute. He is also a very successful principal in Ohio and serves on the Ohio Middle School Board. He shares his insights about finding and interviewing candidates for teaching positions.

Features Gail Heinemeyer, interviewed by Mary Henton, NMSA director of integrated media initiatives. Gail is currently a principal in Pennsylvania and is a facilitator for NMSA's Summer Leadrship Institute. Gail provides practical interviewing tips and helpful information for aspiring teachers.

Features Santo Pino, interviewed by April Tibbles, NMSA director of publications. Santo has more than 40 years experience in education at all levels and is a facilitator for the NMSA Leadership Institute. His vast knowledge of middle level issues makes him an excellent resource for invaluable advice for aspiring and experienced principals preparing for an interview.

Features Sandra Schurr, interviewed by April Tibbles, NMSA director of publications. Sandra is the director of the National Resource Center for Middle Grades/High School Education at the University of South Florida. Sandra discusses the publication, Ignite Student Intellect and Imagination in Mathematics. Today's show provides practical strategies for bringing rich activities based on Bloom's Taxonomy to the classroom.

Features Mark Springer and two of his students, interviewed by April Tibble, NMSA Director of Publications. Mark is a teacher at Radnor Middle School (Radnor, PA) and the author of Soundings: A Democratic, Student-Centered Education. Mark facilitates the development of student-generated, interdisciplinary curriculum.