Every summer the Ohio Middle Level Association Executive Board spends three days in June at Hocking Hills for a summer workshop. This is an opportunity for the board members representing the eight regions across the state to come together to discuss our vision and plans for the year. Morning hikes, professional development, committee meetings, regional planning time, and conversations by the campfire filled our time this year. For one of the professional development activities, the OMLA board revisited AMLE’s, This We Believe: Keys to Educating Young Adolescents. Board members joined one of three groups (Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment; Leadership and Organization; Culture and Community) representing the 16 Characteristics and shared ideas/strategies for how they support the topic in their classroom/school. The many ideas shared allowed for meaningful discussions and learning. As you read through the articles in this issue of In the Middle, I hope the insights shared concerning Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment provides you with new or refreshed learning!
