Team of the Year

Past Award Winners

2024

Princeton Community Middle School 6-8 Music Team

Princeton Community Middle School

Princeton City School District

The Princeton Community Middle School (PCMS) Music Team, comprising Kristen Brown, Heather Hurley, Shelley Miley, Holly Bates, Sydney Casey, Kyle Phillips, Angie McClellan, David Dendler, Todd Leonhardt, Jackie Ballman, Andrew Fermier, and Sean Hurley, and led by Principal Dr. David Mackzum, exemplifies all aspects of teaming at the middle level.

A common practice within the team is building student capacity by giving them opportunities for voice and agency. For instance, they utilize the skills of bilingual students to translate music for English Learner (EL) students in the program and engage older students to assist with music tryout nights. These initiatives empower students to make a difference in the lives of others.

Through its comprehensive program offerings, inclusive practices, focus on student empowerment, and community engagement efforts, the PCMS Music Team effectively advances the middle-level philosophy. They provide students with meaningful musical experiences that contribute to their holistic development and success. The team cultivates a strong, cohesive identity, emphasizing the value of collaboration, support, and shared experiences in achieving common goals and fostering a sense of belonging. Ultimately, they foster a supportive and enriching musical learning environment for all students, promote a positive school culture, and align with broader educational goals and values. In summary, the Princeton Community Middle School Music Team builds collective efficacy around music not only to create accomplished musicians but also to build incredible human beings. This truly embodies everything we strive for in middle-level education.

2023

Team Velocity

Big Walnut Middle School

Big Walnut Local School District

Team Velocity of Big Walnut Middle School, a dedicated team comprising Jenny Ainsworth, Joe Backs, Michelle Bodnar, Keri Kotchounian, Scott Bowden, Lindsey DeLoss, Sarah Price, and Taylor Rosa, is deeply committed to advancing the philosophy of middle-level education within their school and community. This team, consisting of core teachers, co-teachers, and educational assistants, has meticulously aligned programs, policies, and procedures to effectively support middle-level learners, thereby fulfilling Big Walnut's mission to inspire and guide each student to their maximum potential. Their work consistently demonstrates a strong adherence to middle-level best practices, emphasizing personalized learning and fostering highly engaged classrooms. In just three years of revitalized interdisciplinary teaming at BWMS, Team Velocity has spearheaded the integration of innovative and best practices that are fully aligned with the middle-level philosophy, embodying the core belief in addressing the personalized needs of students daily. Their dedication to knowing their students well is evident from their early adoption of the BWMS Student Portrait for 7th-grade students, adapting content to meet specific community needs, and their responsiveness to the distinct needs of young adolescents by aligning practices with the Big Walnut Eagle Profile to create a safe and positive learning environment. They challenge learners through differentiated strategies tailored to specific content areas, all while maintaining a steadfast commitment to individual student preferences. This is further exemplified by their robust Advisory practices, which include SEL lessons, Tier 1 classroom interventions, Tier 2 referrals for reading and math, and team-building initiatives, all designed to foster deeper personal relationships and empower youth to take responsibility for their own learning. Practical applications, such as student-managed posted calendars for activities and assessments in classrooms and team areas, underscore their commitment to personalization, ensuring daily equity and engagement. Following targeted coaching in 2022, Team Velocity integrated a full-day team-building challenge aligned with the Big Walnut Eagle Profile and learning goals, and actively contributes to the school's PBIS program by recognizing student growth through SOAR Cards and selecting a Student of the Month. This comprehensive integration of a positive environment cultivates immense student pride in Team Velocity, inspiring them to represent their team values across the school community. The exceptional efforts of Miss Jenny Ainsworth, Mr. Joe Backs, Miss Michelle Bodnar, and Mrs. Keri Kotchounian in meeting the BWLSD mission and upholding OMLA's goals of nurturing the holistic well-being of young adolescents, through positive, caring, and motivating learning atmospheres attentive to individual needs, firmly position Team Velocity as a deserving candidate for the 2023 OMLA Team of the Year.

2022

Captains Team

Strongsville Middle School

Strongsville City School District

The Captains Team at Strongsville Middle School is dedicated to prioritizing their students and fostering strong relationships with each student and their families. Their students proudly embrace the motto, "Be the Captain of Your Own Ship," reflecting the team's philosophy. In the 6th grade, the team focuses on the unique qualities of each student, providing them with authentic and enriched learning experiences. As a team, they consistently strive to advance the middle-level philosophy through effective teaming, interdisciplinary planning, and flexible use of time. They are committed to cultivating a school culture where students feel accepted, challenged, and supported. Student achievements and positive behaviors are recognized through their "Captain of the Week" and "Mustang of the Month" programs. The Captains team truly exemplifies the characteristics outlined in This We Believe, with their team practices representing middle-level best practices.

2021

Team Fiesta

Cloverleaf Middle School

Cloverleaf Local Schools

The teachers on Team FIESTA and Team Whisk Takers in grade 8 at Cloverleaf Middle School, within the Cloverleaf Local Schools district, share a philosophy centered on creating a school environment that not only enhances students’ skills in mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies but also cultivates vital life skills such as self-advocacy, organization/prioritization, and adaptability to change. This dynamic team thrives on innovative, "outside-the-box" thinking. The 2020-2021 school year presented a unique challenge: teaching out of five double-wide trailers located behind Cloverleaf Middle School, with students remaining stationary while teachers rotate. What many might view as a negative situation, this dedicated team transformed into an immensely positive experience. Ten teachers, two student teachers, and three paraprofessionals fully embraced the concept of a communal classroom, refusing to let overlapping spaces hinder their educational mission. Each day, they dedicate the last thirty minutes to their "Team Time Groups," fostering a strong sense of community and collaboration. They've ingeniously created "Trailer Relays," where team-time groups complete a task and pass it on to the next FIESTA or Whisk Taker trailer, with the first team to complete all tasks declared the winner. This creative approach allows teachers to provide various interventions tailored to student needs, including discussions with guidance counselors, F.O.C.U.S. Groups, a Passion Project, and targeted academic interventions. The overarching culture within this "superteam" is one of collective responsibility and unwavering support—they truly "take care of their own." The teachers consistently exhibit a "can-do" attitude and remarkable flexibility, meeting students where they are to help them grow and succeed.

2020

Swanton Leadership Team

Swanton Middle School

Swanton Local Schools

Teaming remains synonymous with middle-level education, a principle strongly supported by the Association for Middle Level Education's position paper, This We Believe, which emphasizes that successful middle grades schools are defined by the active engagement of both students and teachers, recognizing that young adolescents thrive with personally involving learning strategies. While the 2019/2020 OMLA Team of the Year from Swanton Middle School may not fit the traditional mold of an interdisciplinary team, they perfectly embody this idea of active engagement, with their teachers and staff consistently building a positive culture and climate by personally involving every student. This commitment is immediately evident upon entering their school, as the Swanton Leadership Team, including Becky O'Shea, Ariel Ohlemacher, Kevin Heintschel, Leigh Pancoast, Tiffany Kaspar, Jodie Rominski, and Matt Smith, alongside the entire Swanton Middle School Staff, exemplifies all 16 characteristics of This We Believe, making them highly deserving of the 2019/2020 OMLA Team of the Year Award. Congratulations to them!

2019

House 7 Black Team

Hastings Middle School

Upper Arlington Schools

Hastings Middle School is committed to challenging and supporting every student, every step of the way, a mission truly embodied by the House 7 Black teachers. This dedicated team excels at collaborating with all stakeholders, including actively engaging with families through their impactful Family Connection Nights. Their students are well-versed in the concept of "Event + Response = Outcome (E + R = O)," fostering a proactive approach to learning and life. Beyond academics, all House 7 Black students are expected to complete ten hours of community service throughout the school year, promoting civic responsibility. They actively participate in engaging interdisciplinary projects and build connections with kindergartners, enriching their learning experience. The team consistently utilizes their dedicated team time to share and discuss their students’ daily progress and accomplishments, ensuring a cohesive and supportive environment. It is with great honor that we award the House 7 Black teachers with the OMLA Team of the Year Award.