7. & 9. Pre-Service Teachers and Conferences

7. & 9. Fanning the Fire of Middle-Level Education: Engaging Pre-service Teachers in the Conference

This We Believe (NMSA, 2010),

·      * Leaders are committed to and knowledgeable about this age group, educational research, and best practices. Committed Leaders

·      * Ongoing professional development reflects best educational practices. Professional Development

Pre-service teachers in colleges of education can belong to an affiliation of AMLE called CMLA (Collegiate Middle Level Association). There are over 300 middle-level programs housed in colleges and universities across the United States. This year, over 300 pre-service teachers, a record, attended the national middle school conference in Columbus, Ohio. The energy and presence of these future educators provide insight into the future of middle-level education. We, professors of middle-level education, were inspired by the presentations the pre-service teachers shared; we were thrilled to see our students collaborating with one another; and like proud aunts and uncles, we felt the fire of hope and commitment these future leaders are bringing to schools across our country. The following are topics they presented:

The CMLA Celebration: “Young Adolescents and their Future Educators: Maturing into One’s Gender Identity as Part of One’s Sense of Self”

“CMLA Officer Idea Swap.” Pre-service teachers shared programming, fundraising, and organizational ideas

“I think I can, I think I can: Preparing Pre-service Teachers for the Job Ahead.” CMLA leaders from Lee University shared how they transformed their small chapter into one of the largest on campus.

“Pre-service Teachers at the Juvenile Detention Center: Building Relationships with Troubled Youth.” Ashlyn University CMLA members shared a service-learning project they have engaged in for three years.

“Preparing to Teach at the Middle Level: The Pre-service Teacher’s Perspective.” University of Texas at Arlington shared “an account of the experience of the student teacher that aims to highlight the unique ability that we, as students ourselves, have to relate to the awkward middle school aged student experience. Just like they are, we are stuck right here in the middle.”

“Documenting Diverse Experiences.” Students from the University of Kentucky CMLA program shared a research study documenting diverse embedded experiences at a middle school while serving in a magnet program inserted in a traditional school.

Pre-service teachers gathered to collaborate, to communicate, and to join with other educators. When our pre-service teachers are sharing their knowledge and their experiences with one another, and when they are learning from other teacher leaders, we become colleagues and see the middle level torch being passed. We hope more will participate next year.

Advice

1)   We must find ways to promote the connections of our middle level pre-service teachers. Social media allows us to reach out and across our nation and the world to make these connections. We are hopeful that our next generation is able to spread the passion and commitment to serving young adolescents. CMLA is one avenue to connect pre-service teachers.

2)   AMLE offers grants to provide funding for CMLA groups to attend and present at the national conference. This year the AMLE Foundation funded three CMLA schools.

3)   States have middle school websites and conferences. CMLA chapters are making a presence there. Consider how your pre-service teachers can participate in CMLA and/or organizations within your state.