Learning with Intention in the Age of AI
I had the chance to hear Vriti Saraf present at the ASU+GSV conference last spring, and her focus on AI literacy and redefining 21st-century skills has stuck with me. In her piece, she describes certain uses of AI tools as “counterfeit humans.” They can crank out lesson plans, worksheets, or essays that look fine on the surface, but they can’t replace the deeper value of a real teacher: building relationships, connecting learning…
Unpacking the 2025-26 K-12 Budget for Principals
MASSP's Associate Director of Government Relations, Bob Kefgen, led a deep dive into Michigan’s newly passed FY 2025 budget. The session covered both the headline items seen in the news and the overlooked details that could impact schools, staff, and students. Designed for secondary administrators, it helped leaders cut through the noise and gain the insights they needed to plan for the year ahead. https://youtu.be/SrPjPAosBNI Slide Deck
Behavioral Edge Webinar
Educators joined The Behavioral Edge webinar to explore how the Elements of Fire, Air, Water, and Earth shape leadership and school culture. In this free one-hour MASSP session, participants identified their own behavioral style, discovered how to adapt their approach to lead more effectively, and learned strategies to strengthen collaboration and engagement across their teams. Designed for principals, assistant principals, and aspiring leaders, the session provided a practical framework for building thriving…
College Board Webinar: New AP Workforce-Focused Courses
The College Board welcomed principals and counselors to a webinar highlighting two new AP courses focused on workforce development: AP Business with Personal Finance and AP Cybersecurity. The new career course, AP Business with Personal Finance, taught business management and personal financial literacy through entrepreneurial projects and simulated work-based experiences. AP Cybersecurity helped students develop the technical and professional skills needed to protect the digital world. Participants learned how to offer these…
MDHHS Webinar: Partnering with School Nurses to Address Student Vaping
Student vaping was highlighted as a growing concern, and school nurses were shown to be essential partners in addressing it. Positioned at the forefront of prevention, they educated school communities about the health risks of e-cigarettes, identified early signs of nicotine use, and connected students with cessation support and resources. The presentation also highlighted how schools could implement alternatives to suspension to strengthen student engagement and reduce repeat offenses. Presenter Dayna Bennett,…
MDHHS Webinar: Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU)
Add Post This session focused on the Teens Against Tobacco Use program, led in Michigan by the Barry County Substance Action Task Force and Barry County Community Mental Health Authority. TATU trained high school leaders to deliver fun, interactive, and age-appropriate presentations to younger students. Fourth graders learned about the chemicals in nicotine products, the health problems associated with use, the financial costs, and most importantly, the skills to resist peer pressure…
Probationary Pitfalls – Navigating Teacher Evaluations and Non-Renewals
The Probationary Pitfalls: Navigating Teacher Evaluations and Non-Renewals webinar, recorded on September 23, 2025, guided school leaders through the legal and practical requirements for managing probationary teachers. Attorneys MaryJo Banasik and Austin Munroe from Thrun Law Firm explained how to correctly calculate probationary periods, develop and implement Individualized Development Plans (IDPs), and document performance concerns to avoid costly missteps. Participants reviewed the importance of mid-year progress reports, year-end evaluations, and classroom observations,…
Lead with Trust: MASSP’s New Asynchronous Book Study on The Speed of Trust
Trust is more than a soft skill; it’s the one thing that changes everything. This fall, MASSP is launching an innovative, asynchronous book study based on Stephen Covey’s The Speed of Trust. Designed for busy school leaders, this book study, which is led by MASSP Executive Director Wendy Zdeb, provides the flexibility of self-paced learning while combining the power of professional reading, authentic conversations, and reflective practice. How It WorksParticipants will move…
It’s Not Too Late to Join the Innovative Leaders Network—Kickoff Happens This Month!
Are you a school leader looking for a fresh, future-ready perspective on teaching and learning? There’s still time to join MASSP’s Innovative Leaders Network (ILN), and we’re kicking things off this month with a dynamic in-person experience in Lansing. ILN Year 1 Launch: In-Person Kickoff Date: September 24, 2025 Location: Lansing (MASSP Office) Time: 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM (includes lunch) Who Should Attend: Principals, assistant principals, teacher leaders, and central office…
New Course: Practical AI Tools for Building Leaders
School leadership has never been more complex, and time has never felt more limited. That’s why MASSP’s Digital Learning Network (DLN) is excited to launch a brand-new course designed just for building leaders: Practical AI Tools for Principals and Teacher Leaders. This 4 SCECH course is all about helping you make AI work for your daily practice. Across four engaging modules, you’ll explore how to streamline everyday tasks, sharpen your communication, and…