Taking The Lead - NMSA 2011

We've spent three days here in Louisville among a loyal community of educators and learners at the National Middle School Association (NMSA) conference. Thank you to everyone who shared their self-created materials and their years of experience to promote high-quality teaching. Because middle level students occupy such a quirky niche within the many tiers of schooling, a dedicated gathering for their teachers truly helps foster like-minded innovations. We have attended valuable workshops on advisory relationships, web 2.0 tools, social studies strategies, service learning, comparison skills, and family communications.

A highlight of our visit was meeting with Ashley Smith, Jr., Southern Trustee of NMSA, now known as the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE). He was candid and sincere in soliciting feedback on how AMLE can better serve its members.

Source: ASIDE

Many thanks to everyone who came out and attended our presentation on "Where Financial Media Meets Media Literacy: Integrate, Don't Isolate." The inspired ideas and free-flowing collaboration yielded a terrific session. At heart, the message of motivation and student interest made it more important than ever to target that in-between place of money and messaging where today's teens operate.

Here are the links and projects that we referenced to unite branding, advertising, markets, trade, entrepreneurship, and new media:

• Media Savvy
• Money Matters
• Question It
• Kid Entrepreneurs
• Colonial Travel 

By the way, if you're in the neighborhood, the Kentucky Frito Misto at Bistro 301 is tasty, and the vibe is low key and welcoming. Thank you, Louisville, for your hospitality.