Association for Middle Level Education

Who do you know that deserves recognition as an exceptional middle grades educator?
This prestigious award honors outstanding practitioners who have advanced the field of middle level education with a significant body of work impacting the lives of young adolescents through their teaching, leadership, and advocacy.

We’re proud to celebrate our recent past honorees pictured here: true leaders who continue to inspire excellence in middle grades education. We can't wait to celebrate whoever's next at !

Nominations for the 2026 AMLE Middle Grades Educator of the Year are due July 15:
👉amle.org/amle-educator-of-the-year

Don't forget! Applications for two positions on AMLE's Board of Trustees are due June 30th.

We’re seeking individuals from diverse backgrounds who will bring meaningful leadership, fresh ideas, and a deep commitment to middle level education.

Apply here👉amle.org/getinvolved

We can’t wait to return to Nashville November 4–7 for the 53rd Annual Conference for Middle Level Education! 🎉

Join the world’s largest gathering of middle level educators, where the networking is truly unparalleled. Over four inspiring days, you’ll experience meaningful learning, gain practical strategies you can use right away, and build powerful connections with others dedicated to serving young adolescents, ages 10-15.

Schedule overview and registration details: amle.org/annual

Middle school isn’t just a step between elementary and high school: it’s a pivotal time for growth. By prioritizing both academic success and social-emotional development, advisory programs help young adolescents feel seen, supported, and ready to thrive. Explore supporting research, case studies and rationale behind advisory programs: amle.org/middle-school-advisory

Our 2026 Middle School Student Sound Off winners remind us what happens when we invite young adolescents into real dialogue and decision-making: they rise to the challenge with creativity, courage, and insight. 🗣️🏆

This year's prompts encouraged students to express their middle school experiences and relationships in whatever format felt most authentic to them. Their submissions show exactly why elevating student voice matters.

🙌 View the entries and join us in celebrating all our 2026 winners, finalists, and honorable mentions: amle.org/middle-school-student-sound-off

At AMLE, we believe the true middle school is one intentionally designed for young adolescents ages 10–14 (typically grades 5–8). We exist to help schools bring that vision to life in their own communities worldwide. 📍

Through The Successful Middle School Program, we provide educators, schools, and districts with research-based tools, resources, and professional learning grounded in decades of research on young adolescent development and middle grades best practice.

💡Comment below or email us at [email protected] for high-quality, affordable resources for your middle school. AMLE is here to provide support no matter where you are in your Successful Middle School journey!

👉https://ow.ly/QbIJ50Z8Wlx

🎉Congratulations to Ava Backing, a 7th grader from Byron Center West Middle School, who has been named a finalist in the 2026 Middle School Student Sound Off Contest! She expressed her middle school experience through this beautiful artwork.

Artist’s Statement:
"I'm very happy with how the lighting on the artwork turned out, because it gave the idea that art was streaming through the leaves of a tree. I also like how I made the birds in the center stand out from the color palette — it was intentional for them to look out of place. The birds in the center are meant to represent how people who are different can be perceived as outcasts among the 'norm.' But even if they are different, they still have each other and a place where they belong."

We’re so impressed by Ava’s creativity and meaningful message honoring belonging and differences.

View our gallery of Student Sound Off Contest honorees at amle.org/2026-student-sound-off.

The stakes are high for middle schoolers as their personal development and academic growth during these years can dramatically impact their futures. The quality of students’ middle school experience substantially affects their overall sense of well-being and, in particular, their later chances for high school completion and post-secondary success.

That’s why we’re so excited to celebrate the young voices who participated in our 2026 Student Sound Off Contest. Their creativity and courageous honesty remind us why supporting middle school students matters so much: for them and for all of us.

Congratulations to Maggie Conaway, a 7th grader from Rockwood South Middle School for earning recognition as a finalist in our global Middle School Student Sound Off Contest! In her poem, she writes:

✨"But then I remember I have a choice,
To raise my hand and express my voice."

Keep on using your voice boldly and thoughtfully, Maggie!

🗣️View more contest submissions: amle.org/2026-student-sound-off

Do you (or someone you know) have the vision, experience, and passion to provide strategic leadership for AMLE? AMLE is now accepting nominations for two open positions on our Board of Trustees!

Trustees are instrumental in guiding our mission to support middle grades educators so they can reach every student, grow professionally, and create great schools.

Learn more and apply by June 30th: amle.org/getinvolved

Nominations for AMLE's Educator of the Year are due July 15th! Review the 2026 nomination requirements: amle.org/amle-educator-of-the-year