Midtown International School

The American Psychological Association recognizes schools that use evidence-based strategies to boost achievement and student well-being. MIS previously earned badges for Classroom Management and Social Emotional Learning, and we just learned that we've been recognized for Thinking & Learning and Motivation as well! A huge thanks to the teachers and counselors who pour so much energy, empathy, and talent into our program!

Maeretha Smith discovered MIS when she carpooled a student from 2014- 2016. She was approached about driving the MIS Shuttle in 2016 when the driver moved out of the country. She accepted this challenge and soon established a close relationship with the "MIS Shuttle 14". Maeretha was proud to know her riders took great care to be their best academically and socially. Maeretha joined the staff fulltime in 2017 as the Administrative Assistant and continues to love the diversi...ty at MIS and the approach to the educational process. Maeretha’s training and experience in pre-hospital healthcare management led her to become our Wellness Coordinator in 2019. Spearheading our health and wellness efforts, Maeretha’s role has never been more important. She is also currently enrolled in MIS’ Gifted Certification Program. She is very excited to gain a better understanding of the many unique personalities of the MIS students. For Maeretha, embracing the challenge means to be flexible during challenges and times of uncertainty. Outside of MIS, she enjoys going to the theater, traveling, bowling, walking/running, and spending time with family and friends. Maeretha completed her second Marathon earlier this year and also enjoys volunteering as the coordinator for the Next Generation Drama/Dance Team for K-5th graders at her church. MIS is so lucky to have Maeretha on our team! #humansofMIS #embracethechallengeMIS See more

We're so grateful for the support and enthusiasm to be found in our students, teachers, and parents! Thank you to all for embracing the challenge as middle schoolers have returned to campus. We're excited to welcome high school students next week! #embracethechallengeMIS

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On Friday, our first graders were studying buoyancy by creating their own boats. The students and teacher practiced a growth mindset by learning from mistakes and improving their products (boats). What can you learn in a day? #noonewaitstolearn

We're getting ready to cheese for the cameras! School Picture Day is coming our way October 26-October 28. See school-level communications for specific details. In the meantime, for #ThrowbackThursday -- can you guess these MIS staffers? Put your guesses in the comments!

In honor of school picture days on October 26-28, we are introducing a contest to identify faculty and staff in their school photos. Some faculty and staff members appear more than once. The person who guesses ALL photos correctly will receive an item from the school store. The deadline to submit guesses is Friday, September 25 at 5:00 pm. GOOD LUCK! Please send all guesses to: [email protected]

We're having an MIS Spirit Day tomorrow! We invite all students and teachers, whether they are learning from campus or their homes, to wear their MIS gear on Friday, September 18. #embracethechallengeMIS

Mariaelena Buresh joined the MIS team in 2017. She had been subbing at her daughter’s school, and loved interacting with students. One day, her neighbor and MIS founding faculty, Lisa Hammett, recruited her to join the substitute list at MIS. Mariaelena was bringing her exuberant personality to some problem solving on the whiteboard, when we asked her for her resume. Since then, her love for students, math, and science has been a wonderful addition to our team. Mariaelena lov...es helping students understand and become themselves. She loves the connection, discussion, and collaboration fostered by the MIS curriculum. Mariaelena especially enjoys when students bring their own discoveries to class and the flexibility she has to allow for students to learn in accordance with their interests. For Mariaelena, embracing the challenge means being open to possibilities and looking for growth opportunities. She often finds herself reflecting on how she can take what she’s been given and grow, learn, and adapt. Outside of MIS, Mariaelena loves spending time with her daughters, members of the MIS freshman and sixth grade classes. Her nurturing personality extends to her love of baking and trying new recipes for her loved ones. #humansofMIS #embracethechallengeMIS See more

Parents, you're invited to discover more about all of our exciting learning goals for this semester tonight at virtual Back to School Night! Please see specific school-level communications for details. See what our dreamers, scientists, researchers, and pro-Zoomers have been up to!

We're so glad to have students back in the building learning and smiling with their eyes! Also, we welcome the newest member of our cleaning crew, Ms. Zikmundova! Thank you, Ms. Zikmundova, for helping keep our building clean! #embracethechallenge

Gabriella Lamothe came to MIS 3 years ago after leaving the public school system. She didn’t know about MIS until a friend from her previous school moved to MIS, and later told her about it. She loved it as soon as she walked in the door; she loves that we don't have textbooks and that our students learn by doing. She noticed immediately that starting in Kindergarten, MIS students actually solve real problems. Gabbie continues to love that MIS teaching is informed by stude...nt interest and not standardized tests. Affectionately known as Ms. L by her kindergarteners, she loves the MIS 12 student max and the relationships that develop with our students and families as a result. Gabbie is inspired by her coworkers and marvels at all she’s seen in their classrooms. She has been especially mindful of our theme to Embrace the Challenge, saying, For me, this means that I acknowledge that I may be uncomfortable and that that's okay. I know my effort and the journey are what's important and the end result will be more valuable to me because of it. Away from school, Gabbie’s favorite thing to do is hang out with her daughter, an MIS 4th grader. They love good food, baking, and anything crafty. She finds exercise to be an important energy outlet. She is also currently experimenting with gardening and has found that she enjoys playing in the dirt. She anticipates the day when she grows something that she can actually eat. #humansofMIS #embracethechallenge See more

We're excited to be learning together even when apart! Our first week of school has gotten off to a great start. #embracethechallenge

Ben joined the MIS team in 2016 when he was looking for a place that would allow his children to grow and flourish. After his three sons started attending MIS, they immediately loved it. Ben wanted to be a part of the environment that they were experiencing. He continues to feel energized by the teamwork and collaborative nature of our learning community. He’s glad to be part of a team where the teachers and students care about making this world a better place. As an equally...-curious co-learner, Ben’s been reading "The Sports Gene and "It Takes What It Takes" this summer. He hopes to bring what he’s learned about natural athletic ability and mindset to his teaching. For Ben, embracing the challenge means being willing to adapt to challenges. Ben models and encourages his students to ask for help when they need it, so they’re able to make a plan and problem solve. Away from work, Ben enjoys being active. He especially loves running, biking, boxing, and playing backyard football. The weekends often find Ben sleeping late, or playing (and losing) tennis with his boys. He also likes reading poetry, strumming the ukulele, and listening to 90's alternative rock. #humansofMIS #embracethechallenge See more