Master in the Middle Awardmaster in the middle logo

The two 2009–2010 award recipients are: Christine Luongo, Epping Middle School, Epping, NH; Deborah Mansfield, Jefferson Village School, Jefferson, ME.

Purpose: NELMS seeks to honor teachers who are devoted to young adolescents, committed to best middle practices, and who have taught for 20 or more years.

Selection Criteria:

  • Passionate about middle level education
  • Currently teaching middle level students
  • Serves as an educational leader
  • Advocates for the middle level community
  • Provides formal/informal mentoring to colleagues
  • Models effective middle level instructional practices, such as:
    • Incorporating activity-based learning
    • Developing a sense of student ownership in their learning
    • Integrating higher order thinking
    • Fostering curriculum connections
    • Using a variety of assessment tools
    • Building relationships with students and families

Application Process: The nominator must collect the following, and send all materials in one packet to: NELMS, 120 Water Street, Suite 403, North Andover, MA 01845.

  • The nominator must address in writing how the nominee meets the six (6) criteria stated above, in 1,500 words or less, (250 words per criteria).
  • The nominator must collect one letter of support, of not more than five hundred (500) words, from each of the following:
    • A parent or community member associated with the nominee's current career
    • A former or current student from the nominee
    • A professional colleague of the nominee
  • The nominee must write about an experience that exemplifies their contribution to middle level education. This submission must be in 500 words or less, that is typed and double-spaced.

Recognition:Those that receive an award will be recognized at the NELMS Annual Conference, receive a one-day registration to the annual conference, be given a one-year individual membership, and will be recognized in Mid Lines, the NELMS newspaper.

Deadline: The packet must be received by 4:30pm on January 7, 2012.

Nomination Form: Master in the Middle pdf

A thank you from a Master in the Middle award winner! acrobat logo