What a successful year PMSA has had!  Reflecting on the past year, I am honored to have had the privilege to serve as President of the Pennsylvania Middle School Association:  Promoting best practices for middle level education.  I wanted to take this opportunity to thank every executive board member for their commitment to the mission of our organization.  This year PMSA has been able to accomplish more then ever before and this is due to the effort and energy of each state board member.  Some of the items undertaken this year were... 

ü Member benefits such as ‘in the teacher’s hands’;

ü Increased communication through the use of our website;

ü Schools to Watch partnership was added,  which elevated our Don Eichhorn State Award to a nationally recognized award and;

ü Outstanding state conference with excellent professional development opportunities for all middle level professionals.

 

Additionally, under the leadership of Len Ference,  PMSA has taken steps towards addressing the goal of collaboration with other educational organizations.  Mr. Ference has met with representatives from both Pennsylvania Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) and Pennsylvania Supervision and Curriculum Development (PASCD).  Through these conversations, PMSA hopes to begin offering joint professional development opportunities.  Furthermore, PMSA will continue to support and provide professional development opportunities aligned to the newly released Act 48 standards.

 

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize the great work of the PMSA regional boards.  These boards are providing more and more opportunities for members to get involved at a grassroots level.  Through activities such as leadership breakfasts and regional conferences, the members of these boards are promoting best practices and extending of the mission of PMSA across the state. 

 

The job of PMSA is truly a team effort; I sincerely thank the executive board members and our membership at large for making my year a success!

 

Best Practices for Student Success:

A full day of workshops for middle level teachers & principals

 

When:      July 30, 2007

Where:     Widener University, Chester, PA

Who:        Co-Hosted by NMSA, Maryland Middle

                 School Association, and Pennsylvania

                 Middle School Association