“Admin, Mr. Rummel, Mrs. Fayad. Admin, you are needed – emergency main office!” the walkie-talkie blared. Mid-evaluation, my assistant principal, Maha Fayad, and I side eye one another and rush out. As we shuffle down the hall we are met half way by our office manager, “Mr. Rummel, there is an issue in the atrium.”
“Now?! It’s 20 minutes until the end of the day. Who is it? Kids? Adults?”
Light stuttering … ”Um, adults …” As administrators, a familiar scenario to take place on a Friday.
We round the corner to the “disturbance” and see — a table, set and with O.L. Smith Table Cloth, balloons, and a lot of official looking people including Wendy Zdeb of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals, our (then district – now state) superintendent, Dr. Maleyko, and all of central office. In my head, I am getting so excited-laughing at myself in relief, “She got it!” In the summer I nominated my assistant principal, Maha Fayad for MASSP Middle Level Assistant Principal of the Year. We approach the table to the smiling group of dignitaries and I notice my wife, my kids, Maha’s husband, Maha’s kids. Wendy smiles warmly, “Mark Congratulations, you are MASSP’s Middle Level Principal of the Year.” The comedic disbelief comes over me once again. Maha had secretly nominated me back in the summer as well. Though both of us were finalists, I had never thought I would actually get it. Ms. Zdeb talked for a bit, saying all sorts of kind things about me that I could not comprehend in the moment, and then finished with a sentence I clearly remember; “and for the first time in the history of the MASSP, we have two winners from the same school; Maha, Congratulations on being named the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals Middle Level Assistant Principal of the Year!” The sheer excitement of that moment, being so happy for my dynamic assistant principal and so proud of our O.L. Smith Community, was a feeling that will be with me forever. All this excitement, and being surrounded by my amazingly supportive wife and family as well as my school family – it was so special.
That unveiling was the perfect metaphor for my experience representing the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals at the Middle School Principal’s level on the national stage in Washington D.C. Expectations of panic/concern, immediately turning into absolute joy.
What followed immediately after, was a lot of preparation. Emails from officers from all ranks within the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the MASSP. Bombardment of information overload, all crucial mixed into the daily demands of leading the building. Travel information. Applications and Data Digging for consideration on the National Award. It was very difficult to keep it all straight. Luckily, referring back constantly to the original congratulatory email from MASSP with the outline of information guided me, us, through the process. Time moved on, then the concerns set in deeper. Amongst the celebrity status everywhere in the weeks and months that followed, the building leaders’ conscience set in, “I can’t be gone in April. WE CAN’T BOTH be gone in April – both administrators!?” “Who am I leaving my building with?” “It’s the start of testing” “The kids are starting Spring Fever!”
The more I went through in preparation for this trip, the less interested I was in going. That mindset had to go. I had to be there, and be there happily. The community was so excited and thrilled for us, and worked so hard to get us there. This was a celebration of the O.L. Smith Community as much as it was about us as leaders. We had to represent our school, especially being the first team to ever go. NASSP Covered our flight and lodging. MASSP was kind enough to cover the cost of a guest to come with us. Naturally we brought our spouses. It should be fun, but we were stressing! Thankfully we had so much support to overcome our worries.
Months of preparation led to the big trip. All preparations made; the building would be in great hands, now it was time to hurry and wait. We arrived on a Wednesday around noon, and the official National Education Leadership Awards kickoff registration, mixer, and reception did not begin until 5 p.m. We were fortunate to be fit in with our district’s congressional representative, Rashida Tlaib. We were expecting a quick meet and greet with her, and it turned into a personal tour that was more than an hour long. Just as our community at home was, she was proud and excited to have Maha and I representing our area. It was a very exciting start to a wonderful experience.
On the night of the start of the conference after registration, we had a welcome address from the NASSP Board. All of the names coming across in the abundance of emails learning up to the event finally had faces. Everyone was very welcoming and worked very hard to get us out of “type A principal modes.” Easier said than done. We were all in the same boat. Trying to let go, but in the back of our minds the laundry list was spinning; what’s happening at the building, resist the urge to reply, what will I need to do Monday … all the things we as leaders are constantly in a state of processing and strategizing. Then Ron Nozoe, CEO of NASSP, took the stage to address us, lei around his neck and all smiles. He got it. He knew how wound tight we all were. Obligations and duty always on the backburner. His words were exactly what we needed to hear in that moment, “As educational leaders, you are always looking to do for others. It is the fabric of what you are. Always giving, serving, thinking of others. It’s your time. You earned this. Now it’s time for us to do for you. PLEASE. Let us.” From there, I had to shift my mindset. Do what you are here to do, enjoy with professionals like you. The opportunity to get a group that truly gets who you are may never come again.
We met so many from across the nation, all leaders recognized as the best in their state at their level. We were able to collaborate, share, and truly enjoy camaraderie in a way we can rarely do. Usually having to be on guard always, we had a bit of time to “let our hair down.” The best part for me, I had the advantage of being able to do it all with my partner in crime, my AP.
The NASSP made the experiences leading up to the actual awards ceremonies meaningful, memorable, yet fun. There was a perfect balance between a bit of learning, a bit of fun, and a lot of celebration. In a profession that can be isolating and counts on intrinsic rewards, we were able to openly and proudly celebrate our accomplishments together. Running through Washington, D.C., on mini scavenger hunts with the honorees, which included the NHS student of the year finalists, sharing our “superpowers,” sharing artifacts of who we are and sharing our stories, from districts of 100 to schools of 3,000.
Eventually we got paired up by regions, and the Michigan group was a dynamic group. Maha and I had the pleasure of doing this amazing experience with Tiela Schurman, Principal of Midland High School, and Tara Becker-Utess, of Mason High School. Together we really had a wonderful time, and I will say, represented our state well! The night of the awards ceremony, it was so special to be sharing the stage with so many amazing educational leaders, but it was truly amazing to represent with our fellow MASSP mates, and with my outstanding assistant principal. Way back in high school, when I got my first job at a bakery, the owner said “You always are going to make it … You decide who you are going to make it with.” This experience showed me I chose my “withs” well. I am proud to have had this amazing opportunity to, and thank the MASSP and NASSP for really making me feel invested in and supported.
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