Biographical Statement
Dr. Sharon Riley Ordu is an Associate Professor in the School of Education at Argosy University, Atlanta. She previously served as a central office administrator, middle school principal, middle school instruction specialist and teacher in the Atlanta Public Schools located in Atlanta, Georgia. She currently sits on the Georgia Middle School Association executive board and is finishing a three year team as trustee to represent diverse cultures on the NMSA Board. She also serves as a manuscript reviewer for Middle School Journal, has taught hundreds of students in Walden University's middle level education master's program, and attends and presents regularly at national, state, and regional middle level conferences.

Briefly describe how, if elected, you would promote NMSA's mission.
Sharon would promote the mission of NMSA by supporting the organization's strategic plan goals, encouraging increased membership for middle level educators in K–12 and higher education, and raising awareness of NMSA resources and services locally and nationally. Also, she would communicate with members to ensure their needs are being met by NMSA and promote NMSA's engagement in continuous research on critical middle level issues.

In light of NMSA's mission, identify one challenge facing middle level education today and give an example of how NMSA could help its members respond to that challenge.
One challenge facing middle level education today is preparing middle school students to succeed when they go to high school. Our nation is facing a dropout crisis of epic proportions. Middle school is a bridge to high school, and it is critical that high schools and their feeder middle schools begin to communicate and work together. It is also important for middle school as well as high school teachers and administrators to be aware of the high school graduation rates and dropout rates in their areas, the issues that need to be addressed to improve these rates, and to become more knowledgeable of effective transitions and vertical teaming. NMSA can educate members in this regard, providing information at professional conferences, trainings, and through dissemination of literature.

Professional Contributions to NMSA

Trustee to represent diverse cultures (2006–present)
Annual Conference Program Selection Committee (2007–2008)
Policy, Ethics, and Diversity Committee member (2006–2009)
Middle Level Essentials and Middle Level Teacher Preparation Symposium presenter (2006–2009)

Most Noteworthy Achievements in Middle Level Education

Turned around a troubled urban middle school—increased student achievement and general school climate (2003–2007)
NMSA trustee to represent diverse cultures (2006–present)
Creating the plan for middle school transformation, Atlanta Public Schools (2007–2008)
Teaching hundreds of middle level educators in the U.S. and abroad, Walden University (2002–pesent)