Annual Middle Level
Conference & Exhibits
New England League of Middle Schools are leaders in promoting middle level best practices by providing collaborative learning experiences that support students’ intellectual, academic, social, and emotional growth and success.
44th Annual Middle Level Conference
March 24 & 25, 2025
"Celebrate 50 years with us!"
#NELMS25
Keynote Presenters - Biographies
General Session Keynote - Monday, March 24, 2025
Kalise Wornum is a nationally sought-after keynote speaker, educational leader, workshop facilitator, and author in the area of anti-racist education and cultural proficiency. Born in Boston, Kalise's dedication to confronting racism in the classroom began early in her education as a student in the METCO Program – a state-funded, voluntary desegregation program in Massachusetts. Her experience allowed her to see both the beauty and complexities of academic success in a predominantly white suburban school system. This fostered in Kalise a desire to train students, teachers, and school administrators about the need for representation and cultural competency in the classroom. Kalise continues to use her experience as a graduate of the Lexington Public Schools to inform her presentations and written materials for the courses and workshops she offers.
Luncheon Keynote - Monday, March 24, 2025
Molly Kennedy
Molly Kennedy is an award-winning, international speaker and author of Creating the Champion Within.
Molly has spent the past 26 years empowering others to Get UP When Life Knocks Them Down.
Her heart’s work is to inspire you to flip your mindset and develop your empowering beliefs with intention and consistency to become unstoppable. Molly’s presentation will empower you to get UNstuck from any challenge. You’ll learn practical, user friendly strategies applicable to every aspect of life. This is NOT a one and done presentation! It will stick to your ribs! Her enthusiasm, vulnerability, sense of humor and gut-level honesty will inspire you to believe in yourself and create the champion within YOU!
Connect on:
LinkedIn: Molly Kennedy, MA
Instagram: @FlipYour20_
X: @FlipYour20_
Facebook: @Flip Your 20
YouTube: Molly L Kennedy
General Session Keynote - Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Penny Kittle
Penny Kittle teaches freshman composition at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. She was a teacher and literacy coach in public schools for 34 years, 21 of those spent at Kennett High School in North Conway. She is the co-author (with Kelly Gallagher) of Four Essential Studies: Beliefs and Practices to Reclaim Student Agency as well as the bestselling 180 Days.
Penny is the author of Book Love and Write Beside Them, which won the NCTE James Britton award. She also co-authored two books with her mentor, Don Graves, and co-edited (with Tom Newkirk) a collection of Graves’ work, Children Want to Write. She is the president of The Book Love Foundation and was given the Exemplary Leader Award from NCTE’s Conference on English Leadership. Penny teaches graduate students at the University of New Hampshire Literacy Institutes in the summer. Throughout the year, she travels across the U.S. and Canada (and once in a while quite a bit farther) speaking to teachers about empowering students through independence in literacy. She believes in curiosity, engagement, and deep thinking in schools for both students and their teachers. Penny stands on the shoulders of her mentors, the Dons (Murray & Graves), and the Toms (Newkirk & Romano), in her belief that intentional teaching in a reading and writing workshop brings the greatest student investment and learning in a classroom.
Learn more about Penny Kittle on her websites, pennykittle.net, and booklovefoundation.org.
Luncheon Keynote - Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Andrew Marotta is the Director of Academic Services & communications in Port Jervis, NY. He was Principal & AP for the last 20 years in the great small city of Port Jervis. He took on a new challenge in the 23-24 school year, moving to this director position giving him some more flexibility to travel and present nationally as an inspirational speaker. He is a husband, father, adjunct professor of school leadership, former Division 1 men’s college basketball official, speaker, & author.
Andrew is also the leader of the Surviving & Thriving movement. Andrew is an energizing & impactful speaker, author, and school leader. He lives the words on his logo & strives to positively #IMPACT all he meets. A master storyteller, Andrew engages his audiences and fellow leaders with authentic and heartfelt stories, memorable props, and collaborative, fun, & thought-provoking activities.
Additionally, Andrew officiated Men’s Division 1 college basketball at the highest level for almost 20 years. ACC, A-10, CAA, Patriot, IVY, MAAC, & the NEC were the conferences he worked all the while being a school Principal. This was quite challenging & Andrew survived & thrived through it all. Being relentless, showing presence, confidence, and an understanding of people & pressure in the spotlight are all things he learned and brings to his audience while speaking to them on leadership & perseverance.
He is a highly sought-after motivational speaker and the author of 5 leadership books, most recently completing a collaborative, inspirational book entitled HATS: Heartfelt Acts for Teachers, Students, & Staff.
He is married for 22 years to his high school sweetheart Jennifer & is blessed with three wonderful kids: Claire, Matthew & Tessa!
Learn more on the website & through his #ELBlog & podcast: Education Leadership & Beyond found on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter @andrewmarotta21, and Instagram. #ELB #ELBlog #survivethrive
