Newtown Educators Featured At New England Middle Level Conference
Newtown Educators Featured At
New England Middle Level Conference
PROVIDENCE, R.I. â Kathy Boettner, assistant principal of Newtown Middle School, and seventh grade teachers Wendy Bowen, Kathy McGivern, Oona Mulligan, Shari Oliver, and Elizabeth Stevens, attended the New England League of Middle Schools (NELMS) 26th Annual Conference, March 25â27, in Providence. The conference focused on improving student learning for young adolescents.
The conference brought together teachers, principals, assistant principals, college and university professors, and other educators from throughout the nation. More than 180 sessions were held on such topics as what makes excellent schools, middle level school leadership, student motivation, effectively educating 10- to 14-year-olds, parent/community partnerships and involvement in the middle school, technology, and developing relevant curriculum.
The Newtown faculty members presented a session entitled âClassroom Chronicles: Portfolios of Progress.â The goal of this session was to demonstrate how studentsâ portfolios serve as powerful assessment tools that are used during student-led parent/teacher conferences. These portfolios chronicle student growth in all academic areas as they encourage students to set goals in their learning and reflect on their progress throughout the course of the year.
Dr Robert Spear, NELMS executive director, said, âTodayâs students must receive the best possible education so they can assume their role as tomorrowâs leaders, and that requires outstanding teachers in the middle level. Events such as this conference provide educators with strategies and ideas that help them build powerful programs for the young adolescents that will increase learning. The conference continues to be successful because those involved come to learn, solve problems and share best practices.â
The New England League of Middle Schools is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the educational experience for young adolescents. To learn more, visit nelms.org or call the League office at 978-887-6263.