AMLE24 Recap: Empowering Middle School Educators and Inspiring Change in Nashville

November 6-9, Senior Associate Brian Lettinga joined about 2,600 participants in Nashville at the 51^st annual conference of the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE), the largest gathering in the world of middle school educators, many of whom are math, tech, and STEAM teachers, some of whom are administrators. The conference program speaks of the organization’s aim:

“[AMLE] celebrates the unique nature of young adolescents and the dedicated educators who support their social-emotional and academic growth.

In addition to eight dynamic featured speakers, the event was enriched by two keynotes aimed at empowering youth. Powerful speaker and role model to youth, Dominique Dawes—one of the 1996 gold medal-winning American women’s gymnastics team—shared her personal story of struggles, setbacks, and successes. Clay Cook, Ph.D, former middle school math teacher and paraprofessional and current implementation scientist, psychologist, and mental health advocate, shared his findings on youth mental health, educator well-being and resilience, social-emotional learning, and implementation of evidence-based practices.

In the Exhibitors Hall, Brian was able to share information about Search Associates with hundreds of passersby! He also enjoyed a nice chat with a few former Search Associates candidates, one of whom is the current middle school principal in Vienna.

Search Associates is always excited to partner with AMLE and all the amazing middle-level professionals. We’re looking forward to working with teacher candidate contacts we make through our connections with the AMLE organization.