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CAMLE's History A Brief HistoryIn the fall of 1975, Galen Crowder, the principal of Laredo Middle School, and John Swaim, an assistant professor at the University of Northern Colorado, were invited to deliver a presentation to the National Middle School Association in which they suggested holding the 1977 National Middle School Conference in Denver. Given that NMSA was hesitant at that time to move its conference as far west as Colorado, they were thrilled and surprised when the suggestion was adopted.Although Galen and John had backing from UNC and several Colorado school districts, they were missing one critical tool necessary for hosting the conference a state middle school association that would help plan and organize the conference. Thus, CAMLE was born.Creating a state middle school association was no easy task because in 1975 there were only a handful of states that even had state middle school associations. Colorado was not only one of the first states to form a middle school association, but it has the unique distinction of being the only state that hosted a national conference before forming its own state association.Although the 1977 Denver Conference provided a rallying point for CAMLE during those early years, the visions of those involved went far beyond the conference itself. Their concern for adolescent students in Colorado became the core set of beliefs for which CAMLE would stand. They envisioned an organization that would provide professional development and support for emerging middle school educators as well as become an advocate for middle school philosophy in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West.Since 1977, CAMLE has not only hosted its own state conference each year, but Colorado is the only state that has hosted three national NMSA Conferences. Also, due in part to CAMLE's efforts, Colorado became one of the first states to recognize middle school teacher certification and licensure.Although CAMLE has accomplished a great deal, the greater challenge still lies ahead. As middle level education is always in a process of becoming, so must CAMLE if it is to continue to build upon the vision of its founders. While CAMLE has a proud history, its commitment and ability to stay the course in these challenging times is of even greater importance.The middle level students of Colorado deserve nothing less.
Board of Directors joe

Todd Wynne

President

Assistant Principal

Horizon M.S.

Cherry Creek Schools

twynne_cherrycreekschools.org

Martin Pearson

Past-President

Principal

Ortho E. Stuart M.S.

Commerce City

mpearson_sd27j.org

Joe Cushing

President-Elect

Teacher

West Jefferson M.S.

Conifer

jcushing_comcast.net

Michelle Saller

Conference Coor.

Assistant Principal

Ortho E. Stuart M.S.

Commerce City

msaller_sd27j.org

Rose Ley

Region 5 Coor.

Principal

Salida M.S.

Salida

rley_salida.k12.co.us

Mary Jones

Treasurer

Dir. of Schools

Falcon School District

mbajgolf_msn.com

Sheila Pottorf

Dir. of Secondary Edu.

Thompson School District

pottorfs_thompson.k12.co.us

Diane Lauer

Past-President

Dir. of Curr. and Instruction

Thompson School District

lauerd_thompson.k12.co.us

Beliefs BeliefsPosition Statement on Colorado Middle Level EducationCAMLE believes that the following components are necessary to create and support high performing middle schools that provide for the high academic achievement and positive personal growth of young adolescents, aged 10-15 years.We support and advocate for the following Middle Level Education components:Academic Excellence• Setting high expectations for all students and providing equal opportunities to succeed• Use of a standards-based curriculum and a variety of appropriate assessment practices• Design appropriate professional development of teachers and administrators for high accountability testing periods (CSAP) that occurs in all middle level grades.Social Equity• Equal access to opportunities for participation and success in academic, exploratory and extra-curricular activitiesPreparation for Middle Level Educators & On-Going Professional Development • For teachers, principals & counselors who want to educate young adolescents, special preparation and licensure• Appropriate and relevant content preparation for middle level educators• Appropriate state license testing for middle grades educators/administrators• On-going preparation in the appropriate research-based middle level education effective teaching practicesDevelopmentally Responsive Environment for the Young Adolescent• Use of appropriate instructional strategies for the cognitive, social, psychological, language and literacy development of young adolescents• A positive discipline model• Active engagement and involvement of parents and communityVariety of Organizational Arrangements & Structures • Flexible use of time and grouping of students• Collaborative teaming among teachers and with administrators• Curriculum that is integrative and exploratory• Student advocacy and advisement
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CAMLE • 102 Kaley St. • Fruita, CO • 81521

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