GCSU continues leadership in middle grades education, hosts student-organized summit

Seniors Kylie Totten and Grayson Riggott co-chaired the 21st CMLA conference at Georgia College. (Photo: Ian Wesselhoff)

By Ian Wesselhoff

G eorgia College & State University has a long history as a leader in teacher education.

Founded in 1889 as Georgia Normal & Industrial College - an institution specifically intended to train teachers - Georgia College was also at the forefront of the middle school movement in the 1960s and 1970s, thanks to the work of Dr. John H. Lounsbury.

This summer, GCSU's Middle Grades Education program became one of just two in the nation, and the country's only undergraduate program, to be recognized as a Distinguished Teacher Preparation Program by the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE).

"The middle is often overlooked and forgotten," said Dr. Joanne Previts, interim dean of the John H. Lounsbury College of Education.

Previts says middle level teaching certifications are often couched in with elementary as K-8 certifications, which can leave prospective middle school teachers with insufficient specialized knowledge about the needs of adolescent students.

On Sept. 26, Georgia College hosted its 21st annual Collegiate Middle Level Association (CMLA) Summit, welcoming experienced keynote speakers to share their insight with the next generation of middle grades educators.

Stephanie Simpson, chief executive officer of AMLE, says GCSU is the ideal place to hold the summit.

"Georgia College is such a special place in the middle level movement back from its origins … through today, it's still one of the strongest CMLA chapters that AMLE has," Simpson said. "And that has a lot to do with the namesake of the college, Dr. John Lounsbury. I think you still see his impact here today in the strength of the program and in its national prestige."

When he retired from his position as the first dean of GCSU's College of Education, Lounsbury had worked at Georgia College for over two decades. His commitment to supporting the unique needs of middle schoolers created a legacy that includes the creation of the summit itself.

"I can't think of a better place for this to be hosted," Simpson said.

The event brought representatives from several universities around the region to GCSU, including the University of Georgia, Georgia Southern University, Kennesaw State University, Augusta University and Appalachian State University.

"We're just trying to restart our CMLA, and Georgia College has had such a strong student presence at all of the conferences for many, many years and is a really good model for what we would like to rebuild," said Dr. Laurie Ramirez, an associate professor at Appalachian State.

College of Education department chairs Dr. Stacie Pettit (left) and Dr. Nancy Mizelle enjoy a moment with Elizabeth Thomas, John H. Lounsbury's daughter, at right. (Photo: Ian Wesselhoff)

Among the conference attendees was a very special guest: Elizabeth Thomas, Lounsbury's daughter. She believes GCSU's middle level education program is something special.

"It's the best in the country," Thomas said. "I love it. It's very awe-inspiring to see all these people so enthusiastic about middle level education."

The summit, which had over 85 attendees, was organized by student co-chairs Kylie Totten and Grayson Riggott, both Georgia College seniors majoring in middle grades education.

All senior middle grades education majors are required to hold a leadership role in some capacity, and they believe this experience can serve as a springboard for their future in education.

"[At Georgia College], there's a lot of opportunity for professional growth, but then also leadership growth as well," Totten said. "I think that helps prepare us for the different leadership roles we're going to have within our careers."

Riggott and Totten are part of an 18-student cohort that will travel to Indianapolis in November for the CMLA summit at the national AMLE conference to give presentations and network with educators from across the country.

Header Images: The 21st CMLA conference at Georgia College's John H. Lounsbury College of Education welcomed more than 85 attendees. The keynote speakers were Dr. Patti Kinney and Dr. Laurie Barron. Georgia College seniors Kylie Totten and Grayson Riggott co-chaired the conference. (Photos: Ian Wesselhoff)