Postings for The Successful Middle School

In 2020, the Association for Middle Level Education published the fifth "comprehensive statement" of "Just what is a middle school?" The authors, Penny Bishop and Lisa Harrison are magical educators who have captured 18 characteristics that start with a focus on culture and community; includes curriculum, instruction, and assessment; and this edition ends with leadership and organization. John Swaim, 1980 President of National Middle School Association, was instrumental in initiating the original document. When I interviewed him about it he shared with pride and privilege the gift of working with our Founding Fathers as a principal and professor. To read the list of contributors to this collective, historical journey celebrates the work of Legacy Leaders who have and continue to love middle school students, teachers, principals, and the structures and facets of exemplary middle schools. From my work over the past five years I have collected stories and advice that encompass the 18 characteristics. My hope is that principals, preservice, inservice, and communities will realize just how important the middle school years are.