ELMLE 2018 - Amsterdam Bridge 2018 Amsterdam | Page 3

E U R O P E A N A L E A G U E M E S S A G E F O R F R O M M I D D L E L E V E L E L M L E ’ S Welcome to ELMLE’s Bridge in the Middle. Each year we are fortunate to feature articles and resources by today’s preeminent middle school leaders and practitioners. As we prepare for our Amsterdam Conference in January 2017, this issue offers insight into some of the work and research by our guest speakers and conference presenters. This year’s theme, “From Awkward to Awesome”, originated in a discussion at an ELMLE Steering Committee meeting as we discussed our collective experiences in witnessing how much middle school students change over the course of a few short years. Rosalind Wiseman’s article, How to Intervene Without Making it Worse, reminds us that sometimes the best thing that we as adults can do is just be there to listen to our students. In his article, Why the Song, “Don’t Stay in School” Went Viral, Andrew Hallam persuades us all to make a radical change in what we prioritise as important to learn before students move from the protected bubble of the teenage years into adulthood. As schools move toward a more measured approach to gauging student achievement through authentic assessment, Patricia Reeder explores how using data can personalise student learning experiences through individual goal setting as well as help students and teachers connect in meaningful ways. Exploring student voice through writing is the subject of Dominic Carrillo’s article, Authentic Audience, Wonderful Writing. He examines what subjects motivate students to find an audience as well as how to facilitate effective collaboration with peers. Melissa Baker and Megan Carrero detail a number of ways that we can put the power back in our students’ hands as well as give them a say in the decisions that drive our schools. Finally, Jenn Wood reminds us that we teachers need to take care of ourselves both physically and mentally if we are to meet the needs of our students. Amsterdam has 1281 bridges, more than any other city in the world. Each bridge is unique and each bridge makes important connections.  As ELMLE returns to Amsterdam this year, and as you read through Bridge in the Middle, consider all the useful and important connections we make as educators everyday in schools.  Enjoy this edition and we look forward to welcoming you in Amsterdam. Derek Harwell ELMLE President E D U C A T I O N P R E S I D E N T In this edition . . . How to Intervene Without Making it Worse Rosalind Wiseman ............ p. 4 Why the song, “Don’t Stay in School” went viral Andrew Hallam .................. p. 7 Culture of Data Use Patricia Reeder .................. p. 10 Authentic Audience, Wonderful Writing Dominic Carillo ................. p. 11 Three Ways to Promote Students Empowerment and Ownership at the Middle Level Melissa Baker ..................... p. 15 and Megan Carrero Take Good Care of Yourself - Mindfulness as Teacher Self- Care Jenn Wood .......................... p. 18 3 !