The Future of Middle Level Education–Chicana Maestras and Vignettes

This interdisciplinary case study research centers anticolonial theories and Chicana feminist epistemology (Bernal, 1998) to interrogate the experiences of Chicana maestras during their clinical teaching semester. The experiences of Chicana maestras is often silenced in educational research, especially in the research of prospective middle grades educators. This work seeks to challenge the often-colonizing practices of teaching and research and seeks to serve as a model of the possibilities for research in middle level teacher education. The findings of this research center on the collective power of Chicanas experiencing teaching and learning as a collective through the creation of vignettes. These vignettes highlight the themes of maestras and comunidad, exploring and solidifying identity, thriving colonialism, clinical chingonas, and sharing of knowledge. Each of these themes, and the collective work that went into this research, demonstrate the importance of Chicanas in middle level education.

Making Middle Schools Destinations of Choice for Young Adolescents

In this chapter, middle schools are presented metaphorically as layover airports, and the need to see middle schools as more like destinations is explored. How can positive learning experiences in middle schools be created given the short time frame and the transitional nature inherent in even the most effective middle schools? The metaphor of a layover airport that students often enter middle school expecting is juxtaposed to illustrating the characteristics of and potential for middle schools in the United States as destinations. This is done using exemplar experiences and middle schools from vastly different locations with varying characteristics and needs, yet all providing positive experiences for young adolescents. This comparison will be made based on what is known about the developmental nature and needs of young adolescents served in middle schools and also on recommendations for effective middle schools made by the Association for Middle Level Education.

Communication as Social Influence on Academic and Developmental Growth of Today's Adolescent

This chapter will show how growing social interactions among today's adolescents impact their academic performance and identity development. The author will explain these challenges using a historical reference to socio-ecological perspective and socio-constructivism influence in middle-level education. This chapter provides a review of research detailing the role of discourse and the practices of creating culturally and developmental relevant communications among adolescents and suggests how social opportunities geared specifically for this age level influences learner attitudes and career interests. Discussion on the social influences of the mentoring process and the way it is used to help improve academic performances in hopes that it enhances the development of adolescents in the digital age.