Middle school teachers outline year of learning, clubs and new AI training

Karen Ward and Christie Gruber, eighth‑grade teachers at Big Spring Middle School, presented a year‑in‑review and preview to the board during the Committee of the Whole, detailing student activities, career speakers and curricular supports.

Ward said middle school “is really a bridge” from elementary academics to choices about future paths and outlined the school’s structured events — Bulldog Basics orientation, club rotations, career speakers (monthly speakers covering fields like finance, health sciences, law and logistics), PBIS rewards, social events, concerts and field trips. The teachers noted career-related trips to the Cumberland Perry Area Career and Technical Center and the district’s continued emphasis on hands‑on learning and extracurricular experiences.

They also described classroom professional learning: Pineapple Week teacher visits, data meetings after assessment windows, and a new classroom tool for students. "We implemented Magic Student AI training, which really helped focus our students who are able ... to use Magic Student," they said, emphasizing appropriate, age‑targeted instruction in emerging technology. Board members praised the presentation and the breadth of student opportunities, and asked follow‑up questions about how career presentations are scheduled and student reflection activities for career learning.

Presenters also announced a rescheduled community safety presentation (Live Like Levi) moved to Nov. 12 after an invited FBI agent had a calendar conflict. The board thanked teachers and staff and recognized the heavy schedule for the final weeks of the school year.