Mission StatementThe Nebraska Middle Level Education Association is dedicated to the advocacy of young adolescents and growth of middle level education. Pursuant to this mission, the organization is committed to educating the public concerning characteristics and special needs of middle level students, providing support, research and professional networking to middle level educators, and promoting middle level education.
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SupportWe know that middle level education is important. Bringing together teachers, administrators, and academic personnel, we seek to build a coalition which supports and promotes middle level education.
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ResearchNMLEA is the state level organization of the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE). We work to share the latest ideas and trends in middle level education, serving not just as advocates but as promoters.
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Professional NetworkingFrom nationally recognized speakers to breakout sessions with Nebraska educators, ESU's, and many others from all corners of education across the state, our yearly PDI is Nebraska's largest middle-level focused event.
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For more information on our national parent organization:
The Association for Middle Level Education, please visit www.amle.org |
Josephine Zbylut-Birky
Middle level is special because everyone -- students and teachers -- work together as a team. We are all real and unique and sometimes the students can be honestly "blunt -- they say it as it is." Middle level is "my happy place!" I am currently a Student Engagement Specialist and have 49 years in education, including 13 years Elementary Teacher, 19 years Middle Level Teacher, and 16 years High School Leadership. 
Desiree' Teahon
Assistant Elementary Principal & Curriculum Director I taught 6-8th grade special education for 9 years at Aurora Middle School, and now I currently work with middle school teachers in the development and execution of their curricular areas. 
Andy Parizek
Principal - Ralston Middle School - Ralston, NE Before becoming the principal at the middle school he served as a 7-12 English/ Language Arts teacher, middle school team leader and middle school Assistant Principal/ Activities Director. Mr. Parizek has presented at both the state and national level discussing the impact of developing a strong building culture for staff will in turn help improve the practice of academic progress monitoring for students to ensure high levels of learning. He was recognized by NMLA (Nebraska Middle Level Academy) as the Outstanding Principal of the Year in 2017. |
Kristen Wilton
6-12 ELA, Speech & One-Act, Shelby-Rising City I have spent over 20 years in education in three different districts, and while my class assignments have changed over time, one constant is that I have always taught middle school. I love the middle grades, and watching the immense growth the kids make during this time is incredible! Where else besides middle school do you get to have so much fun while learning? 
Kristin Laughlin
6-8 Middle School Special Education and 6th Grade Team Lead for Ashland-Greenwood Public Schools. I began my teaching career in 2006 as an elementary music teacher. In 2015, I made the decision to return to my hometown, where my middle school career began. Since then, I have been actively involved in various school initiatives such as an intervention team member, school improvement team member, Special Olympics Unified Leadership team member, co-creator of our middle school Ambassador program, and I am currently our 6th-grade team lead. In 2024, I joined the AMLE leadership committee, where I am able to network with middle school educators across the country. 
Victoria Lentfer
Dr. Victoria Lentfer is author of Keep Calm and Teach: Empowering K-12 Students with Positive Classroom Management Routines. She is an education instructor at the University of Nebraska Omaha, where she teaches classroom management and middle level courses. Dr. Lentfer offers professional learning for new teachers and veteran teachers in the area of classroom management. She has more than 20 years of experience providing instructional support and teaching in urban, suburban, and rural districts, and extensive work with incarcerated youth. |
