Current Issues in Middle Level Education - Vol 25 - Article 7 - What Drives Your Spirit and Commitment to Middle Level Education? Exploring a Middle School Mindset

Oct 15, 2026

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Middle school advocates sought answers to the prompt “What drives your spirit and commitment to middle level education?” to capture the “spirit” of middle school educators and inform how to promote the next generation of middle school leaders. From 24 collected stories, five characteristics emerged that may guide advocacy and leadership preparation. The study defines middle school as work with 10–15 year olds, including intermediate schools, K–8 schools, junior highs, and 9th grade academies.

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Abstract

Introduction and Background

Related Research to A Middle School Mindset

Current Issues in Middle Level Education | Volume 25 Issue 1 | Article 7 | | --- | --- | | 2020
What Drives your Spirit and Commitment to Middle Level Education? Exploring a Middle School Mindset
Nancy B. Ruppert
UNC-Asheville, [nruppert@unca.edu](nruppert@unca.edu)
Follow this and additional works at: [https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/cimle](https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/cimle)
Part of the Curriculum and Instruction Commons, and the Junior High, Intermediate, Middle School Education and Teaching Commons | | Recommended Citation Ruppert, Nancy B. (2020) "What Drives your Spirit and Commitment to Middle Level Education? Exploring a Middle School Mindset," Current Issues in Middle Level Education: Vol. 25 : Iss. 1 , Article 7. DOI: 10.20429/cimle.2020.250107 Available at: [https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/cimle/vol25/iss1/7](https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/cimle/vol25/iss1/7) [This description is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at Digital Commons@Georgia](This description is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at Digital Commons@Georgia)[ ](This description is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at Digital Commons@Georgia)[Southern. It has been accepted for inclusion in Current Issues in Middle Level Education by an authorized](Southern. It has been accepted for inclusion in Current Issues in Middle Level Education by an authorized)[ ](Southern. It has been accepted for inclusion in Current Issues in Middle Level Education by an authorized)[administrator of Digital Commons@Georgia Southern. For more information](administrator of Digital Commons@Georgia Southern. For more information), please contact [digitalcommons@georgiasouthern.edu](digitalcommons@georgiasouthern.edu). What Drives your Spirit and Commitment to Middle Level Education? Exploring a Middle School Mindset Nancy B. Ruppert University of North Carolina, Asheville Abstract Over the past two years, middle school advocates have been sharing their thoughts on the following prompt: “What drives your spirit and commitment to middle level education?” The purpose has been to capture ‘the spirit’ of middle school educators?’ From these stories five characteristics emerged that can help us consider how to promote the next generation of middle school leaders. Perhaps using the findings from this exercise can help us advocate for the next generation of middle school leaders. For the purpose of this study, middle school refers to those who work with 10-15 year olds and includes intermediate schools, a K-8, middle schools, junior highs, or 9th grade academies. Introduction and Background In 2018, Southeast Middle Level Professors held a symposium in South Carolina to share ways to promote middle level education within our respective institutions and districts. A small group of middle level professors and graduate students began to explore the possibility of promoting a middle level mindset to advocate for the next generation of middle level leaders (Coleman & Ruppert, 2019). While there is a growth mindset and a fixed mindset (Dweck, 2006), we were referencing the inner spirit of middle level educators as a middle school mindset and “seeking ways to promote a middle school mindset in theory and in practice”(Ruppert, 2019, p. 19) . Later that year I invited colleagues to share “What drives your spirit and commitment to middle level education?” and “How can we capture ‘the spirit of middle school educators?” I received feedback from 24 middle level advocates. In spring 2020, Southeast Professors of Middle Level Education (SEPOMLE) designed a symposium in North Carolina to celebrate and advocate for the next generation of middle school leaders. We had planned a two-day drive-in conference in Asheville, and along with many venues and presentations, COVID 19 disrupted our plans. One of my roles in the conf

FAQs

What question does the article use to explore educator commitment?

It uses the prompt “What drives your spirit and commitment to middle level education?” to elicit stories from middle level advocates.

How does the article define “middle school” for the study?

Middle school refers to people who work with 10–15 year olds, including intermediate schools, K–8 schools, junior highs, and 9th grade academies.

What is one intended outcome of the findings in the article?

The article aims to identify characteristics that can help advocates promote and prepare the next generation of middle school leaders.

Oct 15, 2026

Upload by nayy☆