- MMSA will pay 1 night lodging for members that drive a far distance to the board meetings.
- Mileage is tax deductible for individual members. MMSA does not pay mileage to and from Board meetings or substitute fees.
- Most meetings are very casual.
- Representatives will be expected to give an oral report at every Executive Board meeting. Members should have a small written summary of the report to give to the Secretary. Individual report time is also a time to ask questions, get ideas, etc.
- Each Region has a budget of $200. More can be requested if there is a need.
- Members of the Executive Board are available to be present at individual regional meetings.
- Each region is expected to do a conference/informational brochure in September and December.
- Representatives and Liaisons are expected to stay current on their membership dues.
- If special meetings are called, the President will inform the Board of Trustees on the details of lodging and meals.
- The Executive Director has available the following items for use:
- envelopes
- stationary
- labels
- extra journals
- brochures
- business cards
- Regional Representative will meet one-half hour prior to the Executive Board meeting. Most years there are 5 meetings.
- It is the representatives' responsibility to keep handbooks updated and to pass them on to their successor.
- Representatives will supply at least two articles to the Transescent editor from their region.
- Representatives will hold regional meetings.
- Regional representatives will actively seek out building representatives to act as a liaison/communicator of information for the regional representative and the members at large in a particular school building.
- Representatives will share correspondence with other Regional Representatives and the Executive Director.
- Representatives will seek out nominations from members at large interested in MMSA offices.
- At the Annual Conference, Regional Representatives are expected to:
- bring an overhead projector
- collect meal tickets at one assigned function
- work a shift at the registration table
- fill conference packets
- bring two door prizes
- facilitate sessions
- run the regional meeting
- spend time networking with the regional representative who is taking over after you
- bring a basket for raffle
- At the Annual Conference, the Board of Trustees will arrive one day prior to the conference. The Thursday evening lodging and conference registration will be picked up by the Master Account.
- Serves as a clearinghouse for an exchange of ideas and materials for parents and educators.
- Represents middle level students in professional and public discussions of educational issues.
- Offers a top quality conference every year which addresses current issues in middle level education.
- Provides workshops for members in the regions.
- Encourages recognition of those who serve and promote middle level education through the Teaching Teams Award and Educator of the Year Award.
- Provide four issues of the award winning journal The Transescent, and 6 newsletters.
- Gives members discount on NMSA publications.
- Encourages pre-service teachers to enter the middle level teaching field by awarding the Art Pfaff Scholarship.
- Reduced membership for students, retirees, parents and corporations.
- Lending library
What is our Purpose?
The purpose of MMSA is to serve as an advocacy group to recognize the middle level as a legitimate third level of education. Through the recognition of MMSA as an advisory group to the State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, it is our intention to effect change in the middle level as it relates to state certification, teacher training, school organization, and effective programming.What do we believe?
We believe that because of the unique changes that take place physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually during the transescent years, these young adolescents require educational programs designed to address those needs. We are committed to the task of sharing knowledge and expertise among the membership throughout the state and of creating workable programs to bring about successful middle schools.Who belongs to MMSA?
The membership encompasses teachers, principals, assistant principals, superintendents, counselors, school board members, professors, graduate and undergraduate students, parents and individuals, all sharing a common interest - the education of early adolescents.How did this organization begin?
In February, 1976, it was observed that there were approximately 175 schools in the State of Missouri with various grade combinations of five through eight. It was felt that there was a need to exchange ideas, programs and curriculum innovation throughout the state in middle level education. A state association was a possible vehicle to accomplish this purpose. This would be an organization of all people interested in the middle level child and programs which would facilitate his/her growth.On Saturday, April 3, 1976, twenty-three interested participants from throughout the state met in Columbia, Missouri to share ideas about middle school education. They agreed on the need for an association in our state. A steering committee was selected from volunteers and a constitution committee was formed. All 175 schools were informed of the outcome of the April meeting and were invited to attend a meeting on Thursday, June 17, 1976, to adopt our constitution. Thirty-one participants attended the June meeting. It was unanimously voted to request affiliation with the National Middle School Association.
A membership drive began in October of 1976. Our first state meeting was held on November 19, 1976, during the National Middle School Conference in St. Louis. Procedures for electing officers were established and the dates of March 25 and 26, 1977 were selected for our first state conference. A planning committee for our conference and a nominating committee for our officers were appointed. In January, 1977, James Cockrell was elected treasurer, Grace Harmon, secretary, Addison Webber, vice president, and Thomas Moeller, president. Regions were determined and voting for representatives took place at the spring conference.
How is the Board organized?
A Board of Trustees is elected and appointed to conduct the ongoing activities of the Association. An Executive Director is appointed by the Board of Trustees to facilitate the growth and encourage membership in our organization and to maintain a line of communication between the organization and its membership. Officers are elected by the membership. These offices include that of President, President-Elect and Secretary. The Treasurer is appointed by the Board. The President-Elect's term is a four year commitment, first 2 years as President-Elect, then 2 years as President.The Secretary is elected for two year term. A nominating committee presents a slate of candidates, by mail, to the membership and then voting takes place. Also elected for 2 year terms are a diversity liaison and a university liaison.
Ten Regional Representatives are elected to serve a two year term. These regions include Northwest, Northeast, Central West (2), Central, South Central, Southeast, Southwest, and St. Louis Metro. (2). Names may be submitted and voted on at the regional meetings held at the state conference.
Other Executive Board members include Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Representative, Conference Chairperson, the Transescent editor, and Committee Chairpersons.
What is the regional structure?
Each Regional Representative is elected for a two year term on the Executive Board at the regional meeting held at the State Conference. The role of the Regional Representative is to assess the needs of the region relative to middle level education and to put in motion a plan to address those needs. Regional activities might include mini-conferences, workshops, or sharing forums. Each region receives a yearly budget to help support these efforts.Responsibilities/Duties of the Regional Representatives
Our Mission
MMSA is dedicated to improving the educational experience of young adolescents by providing vision, knowledge and resources to all who serve them in order to develop healthy, productive and ethical citizens.Our Vision
MMSA believes that every young adolescent deserves access to the most effective middle level educational opportunities, designed to meet their social, physical, intellectual and emotional needs.What kind of services do we provide?
How do I become a member?
To become a member in MMSA, fill out the Membership Application and include a check or your credit card information. Once your fee is received, you will begin receiving all of the MMSA publications and information. For an institution membership click here.For more information about MMSA write:
MMSAPaul Simpkins, Exec. Dir.
224 N Highway 67, #127
Florissant, MO 63031
Phone: (314) 837-7255
email: mmsa.mo@sbcglobal.net
Web site: http://www.mmsa-mo.org
Missouri Middle School Presidents
Tom Moeller 1977 -1978Addison Webber 1978 - 1979
Jim Cockrell 1979 - 1980
Jerry Valentine 1980 -1981
DeWayne Glass 1981 - 1982
Judi Scissors 1982 - 1983
Bob Ayres 1983 - 1984
Tom Waltz 1984 - 1985
Jim Spurlock 1985 - 1986
Don Horton 1986 - 1987
Bernard Epstein 1987 - 1988
Jane Haskell 1988 - 1989
John Pohl 1989 - 1990
Janet Shelby 1990 - 1991
Margie Theobald 1991 - 1992
Cathy Paulsmeyer 1992 - 1993
John Maxwell 1993 - 1994
Kathleen Keusenkothen 1994 - 1995
Stephen Laub 1995 - 1996
Brenda Hall 1996 - 1997
Cathi Rust 1997 - 1998
Larry Shelley 1 998 - 1999
H.J. "Bligg" Bliggenstorfer 1999 - 2000
Pam Spooner 2000 - 2001
Cindy Vitale 2001 - 2002
Bob Stewart 2002 - 2003
Phil Gooding 2003 - 2004
Paul Simpkins 2004 - 2005
Scott Long 2005 - 2006
Bob Stewart 2006 - 2008
Stacy Williamson 2008-2010
THE NATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL ASSOCIATION (NMSA) membership is separate from the MISSOURI MIDDLE SCHOOL ASSOCIATION (MMSA). For membership information write: National Middle School Association 4151 Executive Parkway. Suite 300 Westerville, Ohio 43081 Phone: 614/895-4730 Fax: 614/895-4750 1-800-528-NMSA (6672)
Future MMSA Conference Dates:
September 11-13-2009 Tan-Tar-A
