Meeting the Moment: Reimagining MTSS for Secondary Schools
Michigan's PA 146 has accelerated the conversation around Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports, placing renewed attention on how middle and high schools identify and support students who need additional help. Yet for many secondary leaders, one question remains: What does high-quality MTSS actually look like in a middle or high school? Research continues to point to the same conclusion. Strong MTSS systems begin with strong Tier 1 instruction, but many secondary schools still struggle…
August 2026 QUICK TIPS | Back to Basics
At the end of each summer, administrators have all the opportunities a new year brings to establish a team culture, prepare for what's to come and collaborate with colleagues to ensure everything that can be taken care of before students show up is done. Take this time to make your lists and check them twice – we want 2026-2027 to be oh, so nice! Amy Pashak, Principal, Walled Lake Western High School…
That Was Great | Campers Take What They Learn into Life
The first week of Michigan Student Leadership Camp back in 2016 changed Paige Weber’s life. This senior counselor said camp expanded her world in ways she never imagined it would, meeting people from backgrounds different from her own, building lifelong friendships, and learning lessons that shaped who she would become. With three years as a camper and seven on staff, she’s not only supporting students at camp, but also in her own…
Member Spotlight | If You See It, You Can Be It – This is What Can Happen when a Visual Learner Becomes a Principal
While sitting in an interview for an assistant principal candidate, Evan Winkler, Brandywine Middle/Senior High School Principal (then a phys ed, health teacher and coach), heard what the person up for the role was talking about and thought “I feel like that's what I love about teaching.” After seeing that same person be successful as an administrator, and with some encouragement from building leaders, Evan pursued his certification through MASSP’s Path to…
June 2026 Board Quick Tips | Time for Communication, Reflection & Preparation
Take time in the coming weeks to celebrate your school community's achievements and reflect on the year's successes and challenges. Remember that after the last school bell rings, there's still a bit of work to do. Families are looking for clear communication at the end of the school year and throughout the summer. School websites and social media platforms can be some of the most powerful tools schools have to keep families…
May 2026 QUICK TIPS | Prepare to Wrap Things Up & Celebrate
May is frequently the busiest month of the year for school administrators, encompassing ceremonies, staffing decisions, and financial planning. The MASSP Board has compiled the following tips to support effective planning and a smooth conclusion to the school year. As you approach the end of the year, remember to savor the final moments with your graduating seniors. Jeff Dykhouse, Principal, East Grand Rapids Middle School Make a plan for wrapping up the…
April 2026 QUICK TIPS | Spring to It
Many schools are kicking off April with spring break – let it be a reminder that you need to take care of yourself in order to lead your school through the final quarter of the academic year. Whether you're traveling or experiencing a staycation, please find time to rest and find joy each day. Check out these tips from your Board to help you when you return to school. Nicole Carter, Principal,…
MARCH 2026 Quick Tips | Spring into End of Year Planning
As we move into March, our board members have shared timely, practical ideas to help you lead with intention and momentum. From continuing to share MiLEAP’s financial resource toolkit with graduating seniors, to beginning soft rollouts of initiatives for next fall, these insights are designed to make your work more strategic and manageable. Aaron Romoslawski, Assistant Principal, Forest Hills Northern High School Use Notebook LM for weekly staff emails to provide a…
Explore MACUL 2026 with AI: A Quick Tutorial for Educators
MACUL has released a short tutorial showing how to use Google’s NotebookLM, an AI tool that helps educators make sense of complex information using trusted sources. In this tutorial, you’ll: Learn how NotebookLM works Use real MACUL 2026 Conference data to explore sessions, speakers, and topics See how AI can support decision-making—not just content creation MACUL also provides the same source documents used in the video so you can create your own AI-powered notebook and explore…
Member Spotlight | The Spotlight’s Not Big Enough
When I was a journalism and social studies teacher, friends and I used to talk about how great it would be if we could develop a Creative Arts Academy in the building. On a recent site visit to Centerline High School to see the Academy Model in action with members of the Innovative Leaders Network, I saw how making that dream come true might have been a possibility. Guided by well-informed student…