OMLAOhio Middle Level Association

“Serving the Needs of Young Adolescents”

Michelle Koussa

NE Associate Rep

OMLA

• Founded in 1973 by middle level educators

• Fastest growing professional organization in Ohio

• Affiliated with AMLE (national organization)

• Governed by an executive board/regional reps

• Over 9500 individual members

• Members include teachers, administrators, college

personnel, supervisors, state department officials,

parents, and students

OMLA Regions

-8 regions in the state

-Regional/associate reps

-Regional

conferences/workshops

-Resources and networking

opportunities

-On site professional

development

What is Middle

Level Education?

Middle level schools maintain

their child-centered focus by

developing programs and

activities that nurture the

social, emotional, intellectual,

and physical well-being of the

young adolescent.

The middle level environment

is a positive, caring, and

motivating learning

atmosphere that recognizes

and is attentive to the variety

of learning styles and

enhances a sense of self.

Research

• Dr. William Alexander, a curriculum authority from Cornell University, noted in his call to action to middle level education:

• …Intellectual growth means much more than an increasing competence in the academic content of the curriculum. We must endeavor to stimulate in the child a love for learning, an attitude of inquiry, a passion for truth and beauty, a questioning mind. The learning of right answers is not enough…beyond answers alone, we must help children ask the right questions, discover their answers through creative thinking, reasoning, judging, and understanding.” (1963)

Research

July 7, 2013 –Dayton Daily News Business Section:

Headline - Firms Value Soft Skills – Associated Press

• “The world’s top employers want to see more than high marks and the right degree. They want graduates with so called soft skills. Those who can work well in teams, write and speak with clarity, adapt quickly to change in technology and business conditions and interact with colleagues from different countries and cultures. The soft skills that determine whether recruits can get along with coworkers, articulate ideas, engage in critical thinking and solve problems of the fly.”

• This is the backbone of middle level concept teaching – where the delivery of curriculum openly addresses both the academic and personal development of every young adolescent. This is done through a delivery of curriculum that is focused on the developmental readiness, needs, and interests of each student.

ResearchDuring these transitional years, students

change significantly – physically,

intellectually, morally, psychologically, and

social-emotionally. The academic growth

and personal development experienced

during these important years significantly

impact their futures.

“Educators who understand the

importance of the middle level

concept understand the dynamics of

the ever-changing youth culture.

They value interdisciplinary studies

and integrative learning and make

sound pedagogical, research-based

decisions reflecting the needs,

interests, and special abilities of

students.” From This We Believe

Magic in the

Middle!When supported and

implemented properly and

with fidelity there is magic

in the middle!

http://www.youtube.com/wa

tch?v=HDtvrVPV9to

Mag

ic in

the M

idd

le• “Young adolescents in strong middle school

programs also discover lifelong hobbies and

personal interests that give academics and daily

work meaning, and they learn to collaborate with

others who think and dress differently from them.

They repair playgrounds, build parks, tutor

struggling classmates, and create and maintain

school Web sites. They learn to attack personal

and academic problems inductively and

deductively, appreciating both convergent and

divergent thinking as they solve problems in

multiple ways. A good middle school is an

explosion of intellectual and personal growth that

lays the foundation for an educated citizenry and

a thriving economy.” -Rick Wormeli

How to Get

“The Magic”This We Believe

16 characteristics for

successful schools of

young adolescents

A 3 part joint effort

among curriculum,

community, and

leadership

How to Get “The Magic”

CURRICULUM

Value Young

Adolescents

Active Learning

Challenging Curriculum

Multiple Learning

Approaches

Varied Assessments

CULTURE &

COMMUNITY

School Environment

Adult Advocate

Guidance Services

Health & Wellness

Family Involvement

Community & Business

LEADERSHIP &

ORGANIZATION

Shared Vision

Committed Leaders

Courageous &

Collaborative Leaders

Professional Development

Organizational Structures

Why join OMLA? Institutional – $175.00

• 5 copies of all publications

• All members of the building are OMLA Members

Individual – $30.00

• 1 copy of all publications

• Reduced registration to State Conference

Undergraduate Student -$15.00

• 1 copy of all publications

• Special Student Price to State Conference

Dual Individual OMLA/AMLE Membership – $90.00

• Available through AMLE

The Ohio Middle Level Journal

In the Middle Newsletter

Reduced Conference Rate

Regional Conferences

On-site In-service Programs

Mini-grants/Awards

Timely Position Papers

Liaisons to other Professional

Organizations

Voting Privileges

Check out our website!You can register for conferences, contact reps, read current

research and news, apply for awards, and SO much more!

You’re Invited!

Join us Feb.20-21 in

Columbus for the OMLA

State Conference!

Keynote: Rick Wormeli!

A conference FOR teachers

BY teachers!

Questions???

Thank you for your time!

Please feel free to contact me by email with

any questions or comments:

mkoussa@independence.k12.oh.us