MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

February, 2011

Dear Colleagues,

Happy February. I saw that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow. I know for our colleagues in the north and east, this is welcomed news. I have three quick pieces of information to share with you. The first is the “profile of middle level professors”. Thank you for sharing your information with us. All of the information is to be kept private. Those who have agreed to have their profiles shared will be highlighted on the www.napomle.org webpage. If your profile is not included, please send it to me and I will update our files.

Second, this May we have the opportunity to gather at the Professors Symposium in Milledgeville, Georgia to communicate our vision of middle level education by celebrating the work that began fifty years ago and collaborate on a course of advocacy that is intentional and clear. I had an opportunity to engage in dialogue with the planning committee headed up by Joanne Previts, in January. They are doing a great job and are very excited about the opportunity.  Over 20 of our national colleagues are already looking forward to joining us in Milledgeville, Georgia May 18-20. This regional symposium, is partially sponsored by our NaPOMLE organization and I hope you will be able to participate. I am attaching the link to the proposal form here and hope you will consider submitting a proposal to share elements of your program and research.  The deadline for submitting a proposal is March 1.

Third, the following notes are provided from committee chairs.

1. Membership: Bob Ziegenfuss has sent information and application (attached to this email) to professors across the country inviting them to join NaPOMLE. In addition, the planning committee of the May Symposium included an option to join NaPOMLE when registering for the event. I will be taking membership forms to share at the professors meetings of the South Carolina Middle School Conference (March 5) and the North Carolina Middle School Conference (March 13).  We invited you to take proposal forms to your state conferences as well.

2. Finance: Cal Meyer reports that we have four new members! Welcome.

3. Conference Planning: Al Seed is making contacts with places in Tennessee for the spring 2012 Middle Level Professors retreat. He and his committee are looking at May 30 – June 3 time-frame. If you are interested in working with him on this conference, please contact him at aseed@memphis.edu. Anita Dutrow is working with Nancy and Bob to plan the NMSA best practice and annual meeting. Nancy submitted a proposal for best practice sessions to take place at NMSA in Louisville. In addition, she submitted a proposal for a workshop setting. We are asking for professors’ sessions to take place on the first day of the conference and we are asking to have a luncheon on that day. As news of these opportunities emerge, we will forward them to you. The call for NMSA (now voted to be called the Association for Middle Level Education) proposals deadline is March 4. We hope you will apply to give presentations at the conference.

4. Advocacy: Tom Loguidice is asking for input in the following format: Friends:

1.February 7-16-Suggestion of possible topic for advocacy
2.February 17-25-Decision on topics
3.February 25-30-Formulation of letters and other activity to present to the membership
4.March-Distribution of documents
5.May-Feedback from the membership and the Advocacy Group

5. Publications: Kim Ligon is asking you to submit manuscripts for CIMLE. For submission requirements go to the following link: www.napomle.org/journal.html

6. Awards: Betty Dore is inviting nominations for programs and professors that exemplify the vision and mission of middle level education.

If you are interested in serving on one of these committees, do not hesitate to contact the leaders. If you have questions, I am happy to help as well. Have a great spring,

Nancy Ruppert
nruppert@unca.edu
President, NaPOMLE