National Middle Level Education Month - March 2010
 What It Takes
Listen to NASSP's podcast interview with middle level expert Vicki Petzko as she describes a pyramid of skills that leaders must have to effectively lead middle level schools. Also, read Vicki's in-depth article on what it takes to excel as a middle level leader.
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Leading From the Middle - As March shines the spotlight on middle level education, we want people to recognize that quality middle level schools do not develop on their own – they are created through the hard work of a successful school leader.
We asked a few successful middle level leaders from across the country to respond to the following:
What does it take to be an effective middle level principal? What specific knowledge, skills or attitudes are unique to middle level leadership?
Here’s what they had to say:
Steven Pophal - 2010 NASSP President
DC Everest Junior High, Schofield, WI
My personal experience as a student, teacher, and parent reveals the difference between an average and great middle school is an effective principal. Effective middle school principals create a climate that makes students and staff feel safe and supported. They work through staff to create a clear vision for how the needs of all boys and girls will be met (and all means all). They implement programs personalizing the school for each boy and girl, recognizing that different students will need varying levels of support to succeed. They have vast working knowledge of what good teaching is and are able to develop teachers to become masterful instructors. They love working with youngsters in the middle and can't imagine doing anything else. In short, middle school principals carry the responsibility of ensuring the school is a place of hope and opportunity for everyone who walks its hallways each day.
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Len Ference
Mechanicsburg Middle School, Mechanicsburg, PA and
Stacy Kopnitsky
Cabin John Middle School, Potomac, MD
Middle level principals are like head football coaches. They are expected to know everything, develop a game plan to be executed, trust their team leaders to implement the plan, and accept responsibility when things don’t go as planned. The middle level principal must possess effective communication skills and an unwavering core belief. Successful principals are courageous and maintain a laser focus on instruction and the needs of the young adolescent. The leader must also incorporate research-based practices that are age appropriate and foster the intellect of the community of learners.
The development of trust and empowerment of the teachers as leaders are key characteristics for middle level principals. The craft of unifying a shared vision among the leaders is a critical component in creating an atmosphere for quality instruction and relationships between adults and students that work in concert with high expectations and achievement for all.
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Janice Koslowski
Potomac Falls High School, Sterling, VA
Being a middle level leader is, frankly, like no other leadership position you will ever experience. There is no question that your ability to build relationships will be at the crux of your success or lack thereof. Students are at their most unique during this period of their lives -- one day they want you to give them a hug and treat them like their "elementary" selves while the next they insist on being treated as a quasi-adult to satisfy their "teenage" selves. Simply stated, you must be able to read their moods and do both. Conversely, you also have the unique opportunity to support your staff as they try to do the same with these very unique kids.
Can you convince a 7th grade social studies teacher that she CAN reach that group of 7th grade girls who appear on the surface not to see beyond make-up and boys thanks to their newly found hormones? You must - because those same girls need that teacher to challenge them academically, make-up or not. Finally, you'll be the shoulder that the kids' parents need to cry on, as well as the sounding board for the barrage of frustrations THEY feel at having these alien like creatures in their homes. It rests on you to encourage them and remind them that their precious sons/daughters will outgrow this crazy phase. But, while this is undoubtedly the most challenging time in a child's life, it is also one of the most wondrous. A middle level leader has the absolute privilege of helping students navigate these turbulent waters - it doesn't get much better than that.
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Ned Kirsch
Essex Middle School, Essex Junction, VT
In my opinion, the common perception of middle school and the students that attend middle school is quite tainted. Not a week goes by that I do not hear comments made by adults about middle school students. I am often asked, “How do you do it?” or even “Why do you do it?”
The “it” of course is working in the middle level. What those who ask do not know is obvious. Working with middle school learners (and their teachers) is awesome. Surely I am not the only are who knows this, am I?
Middle schoolers evolve each day. Nothing is ever the same in middle school. Each day brings new excitement, new changes and new dilemmas to help solve. Understanding and appreciating the challenges they are going through to discover themselves is the most important aspect of being an effective middle level principal. Having fun with them and not getting frustrated with their continual mistakes and misjudgments while they change is also important.
Middle Level Month...All Year Long
While March is the “official” month to celebrate middle level education, we really need to be advocating for middle level education all year long. Here are a few ideas to consider:
- Get the word out that your middle school is doing good things for students. Develop a few message points you want to share about your school. Put them on business cards for the staff, on your fax cover sheet, on your website, in parent newsletters, etc.
- Develop a brochure “50 Great Things about Our Middle School” and distribute it at registration, open house, conferences, etc. Give copies to your district office and the local realtors to pass on to those considering moving into your attendance area.
- Host a breakfast or lunch for your local realtors – give them a tour of the schools and share programs that you are proud of. They are often the ones asked questions about the schools in the area.
- Keep your superintendent and board informed of effective middle level practices. Pass on articles or websites you think would interest them. Invite district office personnel to attend a middle level conference with you. Offer to share results of a successful program at a school board meeting – and bring along students to help with the report! Send board members copies of your school newsletter.
- Invite a student to join you at a civic club meeting. Help civic organizations feature students at their meetings. Encourage student performance groups to reach out to community organizations for meeting programs.
- Build a relationship with your local media. Find out who is in charge of the education news and ask them how they want you to keep them informed of happenings at your school.
- Stay in contact with your state representatives. Invite them to visit your school to speak with classes during the off session.
- Spread your message in the form of op-ed articles in your newspapers or in letters or emails written to state representatives. Make your written communications personal. Facts and figures can be impressive but a story about how those facts impact the students in your school will make a more lasting impression.
This is not a time to be shy or modest! If we want the general public to understand what quality middle level education is all about, then we need to draw attention to the many good things that are happening in countless middle level schools across the country.
We strongly encourage you to use the information below throughout the year with special attention to March, National Middle Level Education Month. After all, what we are really trying to do is continually develop and maintain supportive public attitudes toward middle level education.
NASSP is happy to provide the following materials to assist you in your efforts:
Additional Resources
NASSP encourages members to look into these national programs that are available to middle schools to participate in during the month of March:
March 2, 2010
NEA's Read Across America
http://www.nea.org
Started in 1998 as a way to get kids excited about reading, NEA's Read Across America has become the nation's largest reading event. The year-round program culminates each year on or near Dr. Seuss's birthday (March 2).
March 1-31
American Red Cross Month
http://www.redcross.org/
A time to commemorate the American Red Cross involvement in domestic disaster relief, community services that help the needy; support and comfort for military members and their families; the collection, processing and distribution of lifesaving blood and blood products; educational programs that promote health and safety; and international relief and development programs.
March 1-31
Music in Our Schools Month
http://www.menc.org
Sponsored by the National Association for Music Education to communicate the importance of music in the learning experience of all students.
March 1-31
National Nutrition Month
http://www.eatright.org
Sponsored annually by the American Dietetic Association to promote the importance of healthful eating and physical activity habits all year long.
March 1-31
Youth Art Month
http://www.acminet.org/
Sponsored by the Council for Art Education to emphasize the importance of art activities and encourage schools and youth groups to support their art programs.