Path to Leadership (PTL) CAEP Accreditation Update: Post-Site Visit Milestone Reached!
We are thrilled to share a major update regarding Michigan’s premier alternative route to PK-12 administrator certification. The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) site visit team has officially concluded their formal, multi-day evaluation of MASSP’s Path to Leadership (PTL) program. Surviving a national accreditation site visit is no small feat, and we are incredibly proud of how our program, faculty, and candidates shone under the microscope. Here is a…
Leadership Lives Here | Building the Bench: Celebrating Districts Growing Leaders From Within
By Heidie Ciesielski, MASSP Associate Director of Leadership Preparation and Certification In a time when the education job market is lean and the search for strong administrator candidates is more competitive than ever, some districts are choosing not to wait for leadership talent to appear from the outside. Instead, they are building it from within – identifying promising educators, investing in their growth, and providing scholarships to aspiring leaders enrolling in Path…
Leadership Lives Here | Building Leadership That Benefits Kids: Why Intentional Staffing Matters
Every staffing decision is ultimately a student achievement decision. This time of year you are no doubt preparing staffing needs, looking at making critical moves, and looking to use the human resources you have to make the most impact on students. While doing this I hope this article helps give you some key principles with organizational leadership. As building principals, we know that schedules, team structures, hiring choices, role definitions, and leadership…
Women Lifting Women: A Legacy of Leadership and Encouragement
In the journey of professional and personal growth, we often hear the phrase "It takes a village." For me, that village has been built and sustained by the incredible women who have lifted me up, encouraged me and shown me what true leadership looks like. This isn't just about climbing the ladder or the next position; it's about a foundational belief in the power of women building other women leaders up. My…
Annual Certification Reminder: Are You and Your Team Ready for 2026?
As we move further into the 2025-26 school year, it is time for Michigan school leaders to turn their attention toward the annual review of staff credentials. Ensuring that every educator and administrator is properly credentialed is not just a regulatory necessity—it is a cornerstone of maintaining a high-quality learning environment for our students. Check Your Deadlines For many educators, the expiration date of June 30, 2026, is fast approaching. We encourage…
Inviting the Superintendent into Your School Community and Elevating Student Voice
As secondary principals, we often act as the primary liaison between the "District Office" and the daily life of our students. While our Superintendents are deeply invested in student success, the nature of their role—filled with board meetings, budget cycles, and policy—can sometimes make them feel like a distant figurehead to the average teenager. When students see a Superintendent as a person rather than a title, trust grows. When Superintendents hear directly…
Call for Comments: Path to Leadership Seeking CAEP Accreditation
The Path to Leadership Alternative PK-12 Administrator Certification Program is hosting an accreditation visit by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) May 18, 2026 through May 20, 2026. This notice serves as a required public announcement of the upcoming accreditation review and site visit, which must occur not less than sixteen (16) weeks prior to the scheduled date of the site visit. As part of the CAEP accreditation review…
Leadership Lives Here | Leading with Gratitude: The November Perspective Shift
As the calendar turns to November, the vibrant energy of the school year's beginning often gives way to the gritty reality of everyday operations. For us as educational leaders, it's easy to get caught in the whirlwind of logistics: staff meetings, teacher observations, challenging student issues, and the countless demands that fill our calendars. The days can feel long, and the list of "problems to solve" seems to grow rather than shrink.…
Beyond the Desk: A Strategic Approach to Showing Up – Why Principals Belong on Field Trips
In the bustling world of education, it's easy for a school principal to get caught up in the day-to-day demands of managing a building. Schedules, budgets, discipline—the list goes on. But what if one of the most impactful things a principal could do has nothing to do with a spreadsheet or a meeting? What if it's as simple as getting on a school bus? The image of a principal on a field…
MiCAREER: The Grant-Funded Solution for Addressing Rural Staffing Shortages
The Michigan Consortium for Addressing Rural Education Expansion and Retention (MiCAREER) is asking to connect with MASSP members, offering a vital resource to help fill vacant teaching and administrative positions, particularly within rural school districts. Funded through a Michigan Department of Education (MDE) grant, MiCAREER provides no cost pathways to credentials. This collaboration network actively partners with districts, ISDs, and ESDs to assist in recruiting efforts. MiCAREER helps districts staff critical roles by seeking…