This digest describes three teacher education program models designed to concentrate on: (1) a philosophy of middle school education; (2) an understanding of the unique psychological, social, and intellectual needs peculiar to the 10- to 14-year-old student; (3) an ability to increase student motivation; and (4) a command of subject area. The first program, Teaching Early Adolescents in Middle Schools (TEAMS), is offered at Ohio State University. The five quarter program enables students to engage in classroom observation, planning and teaching, reflection seminars, study of child development, classroom management, and teaching strategies. The Early Adolescent Block Program, offered at St. Cloud State University (Minnesota), is based on state certification requirements. Students receive an overview of early adolescent education, observe in cooperating schools, and attend seminars where they reflect on experiences. The final program is offered at North Carolina State University (Raleigh). A key course in this program, Teaching in the Middle Years, serves as a model for a good middle school classroom. The course uses many of the same methods that are successful in teaching young adolescents and engages the teacher education students in the types of activities they will be using in their middle school classes. (LL)