The Importance of Advisory and Teaming in Middle Level Education
Student's with a strong sense of community, an adult advocate, and a safe environment to learn in are more likely to succeed. Teaming and advisory programs are incredibly important in middle level education. If implemented correctly, there is a greater chance for personal and academic success in the middle school environment. It is far too easy to slip through the cracks and become invisible in middle school, but with these two practices, students are able to create personal connections with their teachers, and teachers are able to build strong relationships with their students.
What Makes a Strong Team?
A strong team is one that...
- Has strong relationships and communication
- Has support systems available for students, teachers, and parents
- Is clearly student centered
- Has a strong organizational structure
- Has a focus on collaboration
- Has sufficient common planning time
A strong, core team of teachers is very important in well run teams. Creating a respectful relationship between the people you work with allows for better communication, and ultimately provides a better environment for students. According to Deborah Kasak and Ericka Uskali in their article Organizational Structures that Support Meaningful Relationships and Learning, it is also important to have a team that is, "fewer than 120 students with smaller teacher-to-student ratios". Small learning communities help establish the very important relationship between students and teachers. It allows for personal connections rather than just academic connections. In a time of confusion and transition, teaming allows for a flexible learning environment that supports students personally, socially, and academically.
Why is Advisory so Important?
A well run advisory program takes hard work, and a lot of patience from staff and students, but when done correctly it can produce amazing results. Advisory programs are all about building meaningful relationships. Adolescence is a period of dramatic change, and it becomes even more important during this time to have support from teachers. Advisory allows students to engage in informal conversations, where the pressure is off, and they feel like someone is really listening them. According to An Adult Advocate for Every Student, by Ross M. Burkhardt and J. Thomas Kane, effective advisories share these traits:
- They have designated staff members that are responsible for a small group of students
- They regularly meet (both meetings with advisees and with other teachers)
- They have strong administrative support
- There is parent/guardian contacts
- There is an adult advocate for every middle school student
Advisory should be a welcoming place for every student. It is a place to open up about tough topics, and it reminds students that when they walk into the classroom they are safe, respected, and appreciated. For a student to succeed in middle level education, they need to have an adult advocate and a strong community to surround them every step of the way.
For More Information Check Out These Articles:
An Adult Advocate For Every Student by Ross M. Burkhardt and J. Thomas Kane
Organizational Structures that Support Meaningful Relationships and Learning by Deborah Kasak and Ericka Uskali
Thank you for making the strong connections between middle level teaming and a well-functioning advisory program. When I look at the lists that highlight what makes each strong, it seems so clear that our learners and the adults need relationships, a supportive community, and clear, open communication.
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