PAMLE
2015 Western Region Professional Development Institute
Middle Level Education, “Living it,
Loving it, Laughing About it” was the theme of the day for Western Region
Middle Level Educators that gathered at South Side Middle School on a cold
January 19th for an outstanding day of professional
development. AMLE’s own Jack Berckemeyer
was the keynote speaker for the event which included approximately 300 people
from around the western region.
The day consisted of a humorous,
practical and inspirational keynote message from Jack and three break-out
sessions of presentations of various educational topics. Each breakout session contained 11 different
options for a total of 33 presentations throughout the day. Educators from around the PA Western Region provided
the foundation for the professional development institute as experts shared their
best practices and experiences in a day of true collaboration and celebration
of middle level education.
The PDI was attended by 12 different schools,
2 universities, and 3 organizations.
Representatives from PAMLE executive board and the PA Don Eichhorn
“Schools to Watch” program also attended. Participants enjoyed a continental
breakfast, a 6th grade band performance, a keynote presentation from
Jack Berckemeyer, a catered lunch with time to visit 20 educational vendors,
and 3 sessions of various educational presentations from middle level experts.
The day was truly a day of
collaboration and celebration of middle level education. From the collective efforts of the Western
Region Executive Board, South Side Middle School Staff, local vendors, and our
outstanding presenters, the 300 attendees experienced middle level education at
its best. The day exemplified the amazing profession and people involved in middle
level education as the energy, enthusiasm and collegiality created a warm and
motivating atmosphere on that cold January day.
Yes, The Western Region of PAMLE, with the help of Jack Berckemeyer, and
all of the participants celebrated middle level education as they indeed were “Living
it, Loving it and Laughing about it!”
