Middle School Journal

Columbus, OH - Monday, August 17, 2026 The Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) is thrilled to announce the 2026 Schools of Distinction, recognizing 39 exemplary middle schools for their outstanding commitment to young adolescent education and continuous improvement. These schools set a powerful standard for middle grades best practices, inspiring educators worldwide.

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM iCalendar Eastern Standard Time Hosted by AMLE Teacher Leaders Committee Members Ralph Covino and Kristen Engle How do we create middle school classrooms where students feel safe, seen, and ready to learn? Join fellow middle level educators on Wednesday, August 12 at 4:00 PM EST for a collaborative roundtable discussion on establishing expectations, norms, and community at the start of the school year.

Middle school is a time for new beginnings. Every year offers a chance to renew and refresh, but also to onboard the next set of young adolescents in thoughtful ways. Young adolescents thrive in environments where they feel seen, safe, and supported. They also crave predictability and want to know that their voices matter. When students know what to expect (and know that every adult shares those expectations), they're free to focus on learning instead of trying to figure out the rules.

View a listing of all our current and upcoming AMLE conferences, events, meetings, workshops, and webinars.

Middle school is a time for new beginnings. Every year offers a chance to renew and refresh, but also to onboard the next set of young adolescents in thoughtful ways. Young adolescents thrive in environments where they feel seen, safe, and supported. They also crave predictability and want to know that their voices matter. When students know what to expect (and know that every adult shares those expectations), they're free to focus on learning instead of trying to figure out the rules.

Discover exciting opportunities for collegiate students and pre-service teachers at the AMLE Annual Conference, including the CMLA Summit, student ambassador program, and chapter grants designed to support future middle level educators.

Member: $20.00 Non-Member: $20.00Your price Item #: ACTSHIRTS Get ready for AMLE26 by pre-ordering a conference t-shirt! Choose from two inspiring designs: Making Magic in the Middle – Celebrate the magic of middle level education with this fun and uplifting design. AMLE26 Conference Exclusive – A special edition design created just for this year’s conference in Nashville! Pre-order now, and we’ll collect your size and shirt preference closer to the event.

June 18, 2026 Columbus, OH - The Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) announced today that Christopher Woodside has been selected as its new CEO, effective later this month. Chris brings almost two decades of experience serving nonprofit organizations, most recently as Executive Director of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). Prior to his work for associations, Chris was a Capitol Hill congressional aide.

The AMLE Middle Grades Educator of the Year is an annual award given by the Association for Middle Level Education. This award recognizes outstanding practitioners in middle level education-those who have made an impact on the lives of young adolescents with a significant body of work and have advanced the field of middle level education through leadership, vision, and advocacy. Nominate an outstanding colleague by July 15, 2026.