SOUTHEAST JOINS NATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION

Southeast Missouri State University recently became one of 15 founding institutions of the National Association of Professors of Middle Level Education.

Dr. Margaret Theobald, professor of secondary education at Southeast, said, "I can foresee this group only getting bigger. I think to be on the ground floor of an institution that focuses on the needs of college students in middle level education is a pretty big deal."

Southeast representatives signed the charter for the organization in October.

The National Association of Professors of Middle Level Education (POMLE) is an affiliate of the National Middle School Association.

The organization was founded by professors involved in the National Middle School Association who wanted to help prepare teachers for middle level education.

Since there were common issues unique to professors, they established POMLE as a university outgrowth of the National Middle School Association.

Among POMLE's purposes are to provide a professional network for future middle school teachers; to contribute to middle level research bases; and to serve as advocates for the middle school movement.

"It's really important to have a group that can focus on the needs of college students in this field," Theobald said. "The college students we have now are the teachers of the future."

POMLE also supports the goals and mission of the National Middle School Association.

Established in 1973, the National Middle School Association's purpose is to promote middle level education. The Association serves as a voice for professionals serving in all areas of education, parents and others interested in the educational and developmental needs of youth between the ages of 10 and 15.