Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month | Representation Matters: Principal John Kelley Shares His Experience
It was tough growing up Asian-American in the ‘80s for John Kelley, Center Line HS Principal, because, he said, where he grew up there were not a lot of Asians at all or Asian-Americans. “Even though I was half Asian – half Korean and half American – a lot of the kids just viewed me as Asian,” Kelley said. “I looked different. My mom was different, she spoke with a thick accent.…
Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month | There’s No Place Like Home – in West Ottawa – for Tung Nguyen
Returning to West Ottawa Schools as an educator was a goal for Tung Nguyen who went from being a student there as a child to being the West Ottawa Virtual Academy Principal three years ago. “Both my parents were educators, my mom was an educator until she left Vietnam,” he said. “My dad was an educator before he joined military officer school, right when the war began. So education is a huge…
The Results are IN! Making Time for Staff & Students
LAST WEEK WE ASKED:How do you make time in your day to engage with students and teachers through classroom visits and/or observation and feedback cycles? Here are the responses we received from your peers. You have to schedule it. Make it a priority. Todd Distelrath, Chippewa Valley High School Principal I schedule time on my calendar for observations to make sure to get in classrooms. Most observation feedback happens at night so I…
QUICK TIPS JUNE | This is it – Finish the School Year Strong
This month your Board of Directors share tips on a variety of topics found in the June Principal's Checklist – they remind you that much has been accomplished throughout the school year. Now is the time to reflect on those accomplishments, solicit feedback from stakeholders about the accomplishments they have experienced and share those with the staff and community. As a leader be mindful of burnout and fatigue that may hit your…
QUICK TIPS MAY | Covering All the Bases for the End of the Year
This month your Board of Directors share tips on a variety of topics found in the May Principal's Checklist – from scheduling and evaluations, to updating the student handbook and end of year celebrations, these tips from the top will help reinforce your good practices and spark ideas for growth. Remember, as you head into the last couple of months, get ready to wrap up the school year strong and start prepping…
QUICK TIPS APRIL | Observations, Registration & Scheduling, Oh, My!
This month your Board of Directors share tips on a variety of topics found in the April Principal's Checklist – from observations and evaluations to registration and scheduling, these tips from the top will help reinforce your good practices and spark ideas for growth. Remember, As you head into testing season this spring, get ready to wrap up the school year strong and start prepping for next school year today. As we…
Black History Month 2024 | Member Voices
With responses provided by 12 education leaders whose administrative experience ranges from less than two years to more than 11, we can find commonality as well as unique experiences among our members who identify as Black, African-American or Biracial. Thank you to those who took the time to provide insight and personal stories. By sharing the survey results, we hope to provide information that is not only interesting and gives voice to…
QUICK TIPS MARCH | Set Up Your Staff for Scheduling Success
By the time March comes in like a lion, it's necessary to have a strong plan in place to have scheduling be as tame as a lamb. As you prepare to create a Master Schedule, take some tips from your Board of Directors to set yourself and your staff up for scheduling success. When creating the Master Schedule consider your singletons (i.e., band, choir, AP, etc.). It is essential that these classes…
Raising Voices to Drive School Quality: Webinar Recap
In Michigan, there is currently no uniform measurement of students’ well-being nor a common way to evaluate student engagement and the impact of related services and interventions for students beyond standardized test scores. Yet the research is crystal clear about the significant role that student engagement and student belonging has on student success. Engaged students are 2.5 times more likely to say they do well in school and 4.5 times more likely…
QUICK TIPS FEBRUARY | Warm Up to Digital Testing
As Ben Franklin aptly stated, “By failing to plan, you are preparing to fail.” This is especially true when it comes to State testing. Preparing for standardized testing this year will definitely require additional preparation and planning as the PSAT and SAT tests go digital. Communication will need to increase to students, staff and parents as you work together to make everyone comfortable with the change. While we all acknowledge student success…