A lot of education conversations focus on what is happening in elementary schools and high schools, along with whatever is driving discourse in higher education at the given moment.

What gets left out of the conversation too often? Middle school.

Fortunately, today’s conversation is with award-winning middle school teacher Joe LaTorre and his vision of what middle school can be for students in the present moment as well as a foundation for what is ahead of them. Both with the work Joe does in his own classroom and school along with his leadership outside of it with the Bridges Program he co-founded, Joe leans into the values of joy and community—and this conversation is a reminder of why we all should continue to dream big about what is possible for our students.

If you’re interested in following up with Joe after hearing about his work in this conversation, the best place is his website or email: [email protected]—and you can also find him on most social media platforms, too!

Thanks, as always, to:

Alberto Lugo, one of Jim’s former students, for writing and recording original intro music; Tom Csatari for allowing us to use his band’s recording of “Woodstock” from their 2020 album, Garden; and Courtney Milavec for graphic design.

Find Tom’s work at uncivilizedtom.com, and on Instagram @banduncivilized.

Find Alberto’s work at djsynchro.weebly.com, and on Instagram @djsynchro.

Email us here with feedback or any other questions as well: [email protected].

Thanks for listening (and tell your friends)!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebrokencopier.substack.com