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Middle school educators invited to ‘Meet in the Middle’

Annual conference runs Nov. 22 at Eugene Reimer school in Abbotsford
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Eugene Reimer Middle School hosts the “Meet in the Middle” conference on Friday, Nov. 22 for middle school educators. (Submitted photo)

Eugene Reimer Middle School hosts the annual Abbotsford district middle school conference on Friday, Nov. 22.

Conference organizers have been hard at work since June of last year arranging the “Meet in the Middle” conference that has something for every middle school educator.

The goal is to bring educators together to enjoy an inspirational, practical and educational day for all.

Instead of the usual conference format, the event features inspiring stories of courage from community members and students.

Every middle school in Abbotsford will be represented by students who will take the stage and challenge and inspire guests.

These stories of courage will then be solidified in research by keynote speaker Dr. Kimberley Schonert-Reichl from UBC, an expert on social emotional learning and mindfulness.

Her research focuses on identifying the processes that foster positive human qualities such as empathy, compassion, and altruism in children and adolescents.

Schonert-Reichl will introduce the Middle Years Development Instrument, a questionnaire that has been used throughout B.C. to ask children in middle childhood about their thoughts, feelings and experiences.

Abbotsford is looking into implementing this research-based instrument to better know students form their own perspective.

Sessions at the conference will be held in a variety of categories, including Indigenous education, cooking, technology, French. Science, social studies, lesson design and more. A tour of the Sikh Heritage Museum will also be offered.

Visit middleschoolconference.abbyschools.ca for more information or to register.

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