More than 260 educators from 35 states joined the recent Middle School Mindset Webinar, a national conversation focused on one of the most important—and often most challenging—stages of student development: the middle school years.
Hosted by Dr. Denise Ball, Chief Operating Officer at ADAC, the webinar was the culmination of a collaborative effort between ADAC, William H. Sadlier, Friendzy, Archangel Education & Technology, and the Archdiocese of Miami. Together, these organizations partnered to listen to educators, identify the unique needs of middle school students, and share practical strategies and resources that support both teachers and learners.
Drawing on insights from a Middle School Mindset pilot conducted in the Archdiocese of Miami, Dr. Ball facilitated a powerful discussion with classroom teachers who shared real-world experiences and practical ideas that can be implemented immediately. The webinar explored topics including student engagement, belonging, literacy, executive functioning, social-emotional learning, and the challenges facing today’s middle school students
Creating Classrooms Where Students Belong
One of the strongest themes throughout the webinar was the importance of intentionally creating a sense of belonging.
Chantelle Montoto of St. John Neumann Catholic School shared how she visits younger grades before students transition into middle school and asks them to recommend books for her classroom library.
“Next year, I want to add to my classroom library. I want your ideas.”
By giving students a voice before they even enter the classroom, teachers can build excitement, ownership, and connection from day one.
Teachers also discussed transition activities such as shared lunches, middle school tours, and opportunities for younger students to connect with older peers—all designed to ease anxiety and help students feel comfortable before the school year begins.
Engagement Begins with Student Choice
Panelists emphasized that students are more engaged when they have meaningful choices in how they learn and demonstrate understanding.
“Some students may excel through writing, while others may communicate their understanding more effectively through discussion, presentations, or creative projects.” – Christen Reeves, St. Lawrence Catholic School
Providing multiple pathways to success allows students to build confidence, ownership, and independence while still meeting rigorous academic expectations.
Helping Students Navigate Challenges
When discussing the realities of today’s middle school classroom, teachers highlighted concerns around technology dependence, reduced attention spans, and fear of failure.
Pam Perez of St. Timothy Catholic School reflected on a challenge many educators are seeing:
“We need to give our students the opportunity to fail—and the permission to fail—and let them know that it’s okay.”
Teachers stressed the importance of helping students develop resilience, confidence, and problem-solving skills by allowing them to work through challenges and learn from mistakes.
A Message of Hope
As the webinar concluded, Dr. Ball asked a simple but powerful question:
What gives you hope as a middle school educator?
The answer was unanimous: the students themselves.
Teachers spoke about the joy of watching students grow, discover their strengths, and build confidence during some of the most formative years of their lives.
One response perfectly captured the spirit of the conversation:
“Be the teacher that you needed at that time.” – Vivencia Phillip, St. Mary’s Cathedral School
It was a fitting reminder that middle school education is about far more than academics. It is about helping students feel seen, valued, and supported as they navigate a critical stage of development.
Watch the Recording
Missed the webinar or want to revisit the conversation?
▶ Click here to watch the Middle School Mindset Webinar Recording
Discover practical strategies, inspiring teacher insights, and actionable ideas to help middle school students thrive during the 2026–2027 school year.
