Lessons From My Dad
Lessons From My Dad Henry L. Jennings is currently living his retired years with his wife Rose on a gorgeous plot of land in southeast Iowa. Henry was born in New York and raised in New Jersey [...]
Replicating Building Culture in Remote Mode
This article was originally published in the February 2021 edition of School Administrator, AASA's award-winning monthly magazine. Joe Sweeney is an AIMS Board Member and the principal of Old Quarry Middle School. AIMS is proud to know and [...]
AIMS Board Member Receives 2020 John H. Lounsbury Award
AIMS Network is proud to congratulate AIMS Board Member, Dr. Steve Mertens, on being a recipient of the John H. Lounsbury Award for Distinguished Service in Middle Level Education given by AMLE. Steve's ongoing contributions to AIMS have [...]
Maintaining the Middle School Experience during COVID-19
In these challenging times, read how Helen Brandon, an Illinois Teacher of the Year finalist, Teach Plus fellow and doctoral student at Illinois State University teaches by embracing an understanding of the development needs of students. Read more. [...]
Reflections on a New Principal’s Journey to Becoming an Illinois Horizon School to Watch
While driving home from a third-round interview for Principal at Old Quarry Middle School on a sunny filled April afternoon, my phone rang and I quickly scrambled to answer. On the other end was Dr. Courtney Orzel, Superintendent [...]
New and Re-designated Illinois Horizon Schools to Watch for 2020
The Association of Illinois Middle-Grade Schools (AIMS) is proud to announce New and Re-designated Illinois Horizon Schools to Watch (IHSTW) for 2020. These schools demonstrate exemplary middle-level programming through academic excellence, responsiveness in meeting student social-emotional needs and providing [...]
AIMS Network Institute 2019
Network Institute We proudly present the Network Institute: an event by the Network, and for the Network! This year’s presenter lineup features middle level educators from throughout Illinois, sharing their strategies, tips and tricks for reaching our [...]
AIMS Network Schools Honored at 2019 National Schools to Watch Conference
At the annual National Forum Schools to Watch Conference held each year in Washington, D.C. outstanding middle schools from throughout the country gather to share best practice, meet with legislators and receive recognition for their commendable work with middle school [...]
AIMS Directs Federal Grant to Support Illinois Middle Schools
AIMS Directs Federal Grant to Support Illinois Middle Schools The Association of Illinois Middle-grade Schools (AIMS) advocates for middle school students and the professionals who serve them. In response to lagging proficiency in math and English language arts [...]
AIMS Summer Splash 2019 – Increasing Student Engagement
A talented lineup of presenters, sessions designed to inform and inspire middle school educators, and plenty of opportunities for networking - the AIMS Summer Splash is a can’t miss summer professional development event! Keynote speaker and middle school teacher Josie [...]
