Finding the Magic in Middle School Talk and Book Signing by Chris Balme

This evening community gathering is intended to support the wellbeing and growth of parents, educators, and mental health professionals. While this talk is geared toward the development of adolescence, anyone who helps to raise our children -of any age- will benefit from the brain-body science that is presented.

In this talk, author and acclaimed educator Chris Balme shows how to tap into the positive potential of middle school. It begins with understanding what’s going on inside the middle school brain. Balme introduces three key developmental needs for middle schoolers, offering practical tips to support them at each step of the way. Drawing on his experience as a middle school founder and principal, as well as the latest neuroscience, he offers a fresh and uplifting take on the transformative years of middle school.

This talk is based on Balme’s book, Finding the Magic in Middle School, which was published in 2022 and quickly became an Amazon bestseller for adolescent psychology. Renowned adolescent psychologist and author Madeline Levine called it “a must-read for anyone who has a tween or works with tweens.”

This event is organized by the Interconnected Diversity team and is being supported financially by many individuals and organizations, including each ticket purchased and donation at checkout.

Generous sponsorships have been provided by Cascades Academy and Seven Peaks Schools. Our list of in-kind donors and financial supporters continue to grow and include: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon, Insight Counseling, Natalie Houston, Amy Bahrman, The Base at Franklin, High Desert Makers, Brightways Counseling Group, Roundabout Bookstore, Spencer Mitchell Photography, , Kap Seidel and Upstream Parenting, Tim Burnett, Carrie Hicks, Samara Learning Center, Andy Slavin and Amity Creek Elementary. A Heartfelt THANK YOU to all those contributing, for making this event possible.

Register here!