Greetings!
It is hard to believe we are beginning to wrap up the 2020-2021 school year! In a year and time of uncertainty, educators and administrators across the state have continued to stay strong, persevere, and step up the plate no matter what the challenges in order to meet the needs of middle level learners. On behalf of the OMLA board, THANK YOU! Thank you for your constant hard work, dedication, and perseverance. The accommodations, innovation and creativity seen during this time of virtual, hybrid and in-person learning has been incredible, and has surely paved the way for great new learning opportunities. I have witnessed Tik Toks, parades, virtual game nights, Zoom reading nights, and so many absolutely amazing lessons, programs and events created to focus on the whole child.
Your ability to adapt and accommodate in such a graceful fashion is to be commended. I encourage you to check out our website, www.ohiomla.org, and nominate a colleague, building, or program for one of our many awards. Or, check out our mini-grant applications and apply for funding to support your new innovations from this year. Mini-Grant applications are due June 1, 2021.
This spring we are super excited to host an in-person state conference where we can recognize and celebrate educators across the state! This conference was originally planned for October 2020 but has been rescheduled to May 6-7, 2021 at Kalahari Resort and Conference Center in Sandusky, Ohio. Join us for 2 days as we reconnect, refresh, and learn new ideas as we begin to plan for next year. Weston Kieschnick, award winning educator and author, will keynote both days as he encourages educators to move beyond the ordinary and reach their potential as true innovators for learning. We will also have Jack Berckemeyer with us hosting a college strand and also providing sessions that are sure to refresh your soul. On top of our general session speakers, we have over 100 educators presenting and sharing best practices on everything from tech and virtual learning to trauma and meeting the social emotional needs of students.
This issue of our newsletter is full of amazing accomplishments, stories of innovation and perseverance, and a celebration of what we are all looking forward to this May at Kalahari. I hope to see you at our state conference in May, but if you can’t make it I encourage you to continue to do what’s best for kids and be YOU! Let your gifts and talents shine in a way that brings out the best in your students and colleagues. Together, we can learn, grow, and continue to be champions for middle level students and education.
Sincerely,
Michelle Koussa
President-Elect, Ohio Middle Level Association
