NCMLE 2025 Middle School Matters Conference

Join us for a roundtable discussion from our featured speakers lineup of experts on topics from student engagement to social equity and school leadership to supporting beginning teachers.

Are you ready to empower your students to take charge of their learning? Join former middle and high school teachers, now university supervisors and instructional coaches, in this engaging session designed to support executive function skills in the classroom. Learn practical strategies to help students develop organization, time management, planning, and self-control—essential skills for academic and social success. This interactive workshop will guide you through role-based group work, establishing routines, and creating systems that make organization second nature for your students. Explore real-world examples of teachers as “Structure Designers,” “Systems Engineers,” and “Self-Direction Coaches”—roles that help students manage time, set goals, and track progress. Whether you’re a preservice or veteran teacher, you’ll leave with ready-to-use techniques and a fresh perspective on guiding students to become self-directed learners. Come prepared to collaborate, reflect, and rethink your classroom systems to build a structured environment where every student thrives.

Utilizing Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy in your ELA classroom creates an encouraging and enriching learning environment for all students. We will be discussing strategies for getting to know your students, finding out who they are as a reader and writer, and presenting ideas for how to incorporate cultural and linguistic diversity into learning opportunities for your students. Throughout this session, there will be opportunities for group discussion, teaching reflection, and hands-on practice of strategies that can be implemented in your classroom. Join us as we learn how to foster community by bringing your students’ cultures and languages into your ELA classroom!

All students need hands-on opportunities to learn, and about 25% of our students require it for academic success. This session will offer some easy-to-implement approaches to teaching that will engage students, especially hands-on learners. Expect quick strategies for incorporating more classroom movement and a low-cost makerspace approach that boosts design thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.

Let's face it: AI is everywhere. AI is changing the world from the voice assistant living in your phone to the self-driving cars that might (or might not) run you over. But is it for better or worse? In this workshop, we will take a deep dive into the exciting world of AI tools and explore their potential to revolutionize our lives, especially in the classroom. We'll discuss the most innovative AI applications for teachers and even share some hilarious AI fails. So, join us as we navigate the ever-changing world of AI and discover how it's shaping our future, both inside and outside the classroom.

Imagine a district where teachers, counselors, and staff at every level have a clear pathway to leadership—a journey where emerging leaders are cultivated, empowered, and ready to drive change. This program has created a transformative journey for participants, offering professional development tailored to individual growth goals, immersive school visits across districts and states, and dynamic leadership training sessions. This session will unpack the design and implementation of the cohort, with a focus on personalized pathways that allow members to choose professional development that best aligned with their aspirations. Attendees will explore how participants contributed directly to shaping district initiatives and collaborating on strategic planning, turning ideas into actionable district-wide goals! Key takeaways include adaptable tools and strategies for fostering agency among emerging leaders—such as self-assessment frameworks, and project-based learning on leadership. Join us to gain a roadmap for building a leadership pipeline that empowers staff, drives innovation, and meets the evolving needs of schools and districts.

This presentation concludes a three-part series chronicling my journey as an educator striving to better understand and support dyslexic learners. Previous sessions highlighted the challenges, insights, and progress in addressing dyslexia. Now, with a completed university program and pilot study, I share evidence-based solutions for transformative support. Attendees will revisit key insights to understand the full scope of my journey, while exploring the outcomes of intensive intervention, including before-and-after data. The session will highlight practical strategies and actionable steps to create a supportive environment for dyslexic students. Designed to inspire educators, administrators, and advocates, this presentation demonstrates that meaningful change is attainable through informed practices and research-backed approaches. Together, we can unlock the potential of every dyslexic learner and strengthen our educational communities.

Did you ever see Multiplicity (with Michael Keaton) and think, "Gee, if only I could make 25 copies of myself to work with students individually and in small groups?" Well, now you can...almost! Thanks to AI chatbots crafted to practice skills, you can help all of your students get dialed in to the support they need to enhance their understanding AND still meet with small groups. You can also: Provide 24/7 Support: Offer students round-the-clock access to practice and feedback; Personalize Learning: Tailor instruction to meet the unique needs of each student; Optimize Your Time: Focus on small group instruction while AI handles sharpening other students skills. In this session, you'll learn how to: Design Effective Chatbots: Create AI tutors aligned with specific learning objectives, Implement Accountability: Ensure students engage meaningfully with AI-powered tools, and Leverage AI for Efficiency: Maximize your time and resources with AI-assisted lesson planning.

Build a Mars Colony In Minecraft with Robots and Code? YES! In our middle school computer programming class, students are using Microsoft MakeCode in Minecraft Education to simulate the robotic 3D printing of buildings and greenhouses on Mars. Students are building 2D animations of Artemis space missions using Scratch coding.