The Board of Directors of the South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education approved its strategic plan for 2024-2028. The plan will guide the actions and work of the association over the coming years. View the plan below.

History of SC-AMLE

The South Carolina Middle School Association was organized in 1977 after a committee of middle-level leaders worked for two years. Larry Bolchoz, Director of Middle Schools in Charleston County chaired the committee whose task was to form a middle school association. A group of committed educators agreed to serve on the committee: Cecile Heizer, Greenville County; James Hallman, Lexington District 2; Christine Webb, Richland District 1; and Harold McCallum, York District 4. Bolchoz stated that the purpose of the committee was to form an association…” to enable us to meet together and share our mutual areas of effort, concern, and interest in the middle schools. In this way, our own needs and those of our students would be more adequately served.” Larry Bolchoz served as the first president of SCMSA. In July 1978 under the leadership of SCMSA President Mike Miller from Spartanburg District 6, an application was submitted for affiliation with the National Middle School Association. For over 30 years, SCMSA has provided professional development opportunities for educators across South Carolina. The goal of the association has been to provide a forum for educators to Share in the conversation about middle schools and middle-level education.
On July 1, 2014, the SCMSA officially changed its name to South Carolina Association for Middle-Level Education. The change of the National Middle School Association to the Association for Middle-Level Education prompted a realignment and rebranding of the organization. The name is more representative of the members of SCAMLE. Members include K-8 schools, 6-8 schools, 7-8 schools, 6-12 schools, 7-12 schools, colleges and universities, advocates, and pre-service educators. Since 1977, the organization has had many talented educators serve as president. Each has provided leadership to advance the call for a focus on middle-level education in South Carolina. In addition to strong elected leadership, the association has had talented individuals serve in professional positions. These include Phyllis Pendarvis who became the first part-time Executive Director of SCMSA. Phyllis served from 1999-2006. From 2006-2018 Linda Allen served as part-time Executive Director. In 2018 at the retirement of Linda, Tina Jamison was selected as Executive Director. Tina served the organization for a number of years as the State Department of Education Representative and a Co-Director for the Schools to Watch initiative. In 2021, Tina left the role of Executive Director. Dr. David McDonald was selected as the fourth Executive Director in June 2021.

The SCMSA/SCAMLE leadership has remained strong throughout the association’s 45 plus year history. Teachers and administrators have served the organization and provided a strong voice for middle-level education across South Carolina. The SCAMLE is indebted to those who have willingly given their time to further the cause of middle-level education.

Vision of SC-AMLE

The vision of the South Carolina Association for Middle-Level Education guides and drives the goals and plans for the organization. The vision has been carefully crafted to best
explain the goals of the organization.

Vision

To serve as an advocate and a network of support for middle-level educators to meet the needs of young adolescent learners.

S.C.A.M.L.E Believes….

• The adolescent years are developmentally critical.
• All adolescents must have access to experiences that are academically, socially,
developmentally, culturally, and emotionally relevant.
• All adolescents must have access to high-quality instruction to prepare them for
college and careers.
• That all middle-level educators in South Carolina should be respected as
practitioners.
• The middle-level principles are successful and must be preserved.
• All middle-level educators must have access to collaborative and meaningful
professional learning opportunities.