This Saturday You Have An Opportunity to Share Your Ideas

For Elevating the Teaching Profession

with the U.S. Department of Education

WHAT: Round table discussion about the Teaching Profession

WHEN: Saturday, April 28, 2012 from 10:00-11:30 am

WHERE: The Fairhaven Branch of the Bellingham Public Library, 1117 12th Street, Bellingham, WA 98225

WHO: Middle Level Teacher, Kareen Borders, who is currently Washington State's Classroom Teacher Ambassador Fellow with the

U.S. Department of Education, invites you to join in a unique opportunity to be part of a National Conversation about the Teaching Profession, sponsored by the Washington Association for Middle Level Education (WAMLE).

WHY: This discussion is one of many taking place with educators all over the country. The purpose is to share your ideas for elevating the teaching profession and transforming our schools in order to meet the needs of our 21st century learners. Participants will also provide input on some ideas the U.S. Department of Education is considering.

HOW TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT: RSVP at http://www.cvent.com/d/tcq0k0/4W Please note, space is limited to 25 participants so register now to ensure you have a seat at the table.

Participants will be asked to read a draft document to prepare for an honest, forward-thinking discussion to help shape our profession for the 21st century. Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation from Kareen Borders who will follow up with details and recommended reading materials. Should you have questions, please contact Kareen at kareen.borders@ed.gov

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

Stephanie Strow

A letter to my seventh grade students
by Dara Yost, intern for WAMLE president Stephanie Strow:

I was out to dinner the other night when an acquaintance leaned across the table and asked me what I
do. I replied that I teach.

The immediate query is “What grade?”

To which I knowingly smile

And say, "Seventh."

I smile because I know what is coming next:

My dining companion’s face drops

It is the only way to describe their expression as they groan “Ugh, how do you do it?”

And again I smile

I smile because they don’t want to hear about you.

They want to continue to believe that seventh grade is a magically misunderstood year where children
misbehave

Because they don’t see what I see:

The time you cried when your teacher told you about a student who committed suicide

The way you walk into the classroom on the first day in your very best outfit- waiting to shine

Fixing your best friend’s hair on picture day

They don’t want to hear you sing songs of heartbreak and loneliness and experiences you’re just starting
to have- hitting every note

They don’t want to know that you bear your soul in the final speech- lyrics that speak of pain

Hiding how smart you are, announcing how smart you are

Crying and laughing at the very same time

Generosity beyond measure, compassion beyond belief, counting every can, every penny

Staying late and loading a truck on the last day before break

They don’t want to know how you look holding on to stuffed animals so tight, one foot in adulthood, 1
foot in childhood

Ring around the rosy and inappropriate jokes

They don’t know the connections you make in social action- connections that some college students
can’t understand

Or the looks on your faces when you talk about a lost friend, the pain in the world or stand up to your
classmates and say “ I don’t think that kind of joke is funny”

They don’t know your courage- your willingness to admit fault in front of the whole school and bravery
in trying to become a new person

They don’t understand the way you notice the smallest detail- earrings, haircuts and unhappy eyes

They fail to recognize your generosity- emptying your pockets, scouring your couch cushions, to send
gifts to a family in need

They cannot fathom your creativity- a long list of inspired nicknames, anime, art, music pour from your
heads

They do not have the capacity- you barely grasp the importance- that right here, right now, you are
becoming the person you are going to be. As your teacher, I am so proud. I have faith in the future
because of all that I have seen.

Association for Middle Level Education - AMLE conference coming November 8-10 in Portland

WAMLE
Washington Association for Middle Level Education
P.O. Box 20631
Seattle, WA 98102

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updated April 27, 2012

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