More than 60 local private and public middle school educators took part in the three-day professional development conference themed , “Energize Your Middle Level Leadership!”

Middle school hula students welcomed Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) conference attendees with a hula performance.

The middle school orchestra also performed classical music at the conference’s welcoming reception.

Kapālama campus Head of School Earl Kim welcomed the middle school educators to the campus and gave a brief history of Kamehameha Schools.

Dr. Dru Tomlin, AMLE director of Middle Level Services, led four workshops that identified the characteristics of young adolescents and discussed strategies that can help them to achieve and be successful.

Each day began with a general session for everyone which was then followed by breakout sessions on a variety of middle school education topics.

Dr. Nikki Woodson, superintendent of schools for the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township, Indianapolis, led three workshops. She discussed developing teacher leaders, leading research on Common Core Standards, and how students in a multicultural classroom can benefit from teachers and programs that support them.

Paul Dunford, Middle School, Leadership and Special Education specialist with the Maryland Department of Education led three workshops. He discussed special education instructional practices, building stronger teams, and leading through change.

Hawaiʻi middle school educators presented a variety of topics such as improving school-wide communication through Google, indigenous learning in the 21st Century, and professional development on a shoestring budget.

Mark Ellis, KS Cultural Vibrancy Division project manager, taught participants about traditional ocean navigation techniques used by the Polynesians.

Gail Vannatta, KS Kapālama Middle School student activities coordinator, prepares to lead the participants to the middle school campus.

Middle School Principal Puanani Kaʻai explains how the open classroom design works for the teachers and students.