Meet the Officers
Learn more about the leaders of our organization.
President Harriette Thompkins
Harriette Thompkins is currently the principal at Wylam Elementary School in Birmingham City Schools. She has served ALAMLE since its start and continues to have passion for students at the Middle Level. Her experience with students at the Middle Level began as an Assistant Principal when Wylam Elementary was once a K-8. She believes that Middle Level students deserve voice, choice, and community. ALAMLE has allowed her to continue advocating for Middle Level students as she chairs the Policy and Advocacy Committee and serves on various committees in the ALAMLE organization
VICE PRESIDENT JULIE WALKER
SECRETARY DR. VALERIE JOHNSON
Valerie Johnson is the principal and lead learner at Dunbar Magnet Middle School in Mobile. She is a passionate educator who cares deeply about student learning and believes that every student deserves a great teacher. She is deeply committed to improving instruction that will positively impact student learning and achievement, and her role as a school leader allows her to build expert teachers who have deep knowledge in their content and grade level areas. Valerie achieved National Board Certification in 2011 in School Counseling and renewed in 2020. She earned her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at the University of South Alabama in December 2021. Her professional interests include implementation of Visible Learning research and practices, utilizing video to improve instruction and feedback, improving grading practices, and influencing education policy at the state and national levels.
treasurer mike cook
Mike Cook is an Associate Professor of English Language Arts Education at Auburn University. His teaching and research interests revolve around civic-engagement and activism and helping pre-service and inservice teachers advocate for equity and justice in their schools, communities, and beyond. Mike has served ALAMLE as a board member and treasurer since its inception in 2017 and is invested in growing the organization across Alabama.
Communications Director Keiosha r. Quarles
Keiosha Quarles is the STEAM Coordinator and 6-8th grade PLTW and computer science teacher for Westlawn Middle School in the Tuscaloosa City Schools. She has been advocating for equality in education for all students and all educators since she chose to study education during her undergraduate studies. She believes in cultivating positive relationships with her scholars both inside and outside of the classroom. She supports her scholars in all of their endeavors because they deserve support, love, and care in every aspect of their lives. Miss Quarles is an advocate for reaching and teaching the whole child; with that being said, she has a scholar-centered learning environment with trauma-sensitive practices in place to foster a conducive learning environment. Her motto is "Empowering through Education" and she helps all feel empowered through her non-profit organization: Miss Quarles Educates.
REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
Click each picture to know more about our regional representatives.
