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 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 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 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

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.