Discipline with Dignity: How We Handle Kids When They Mess Up Matters
The call came mid-afternoon from my son’s assistant principal. My son had thrown a paper airplane in class, not exactly a capital offense, but enough to warrant a trip to the office under their management process for classes with guest teachers. As a Dad who is also a former Principal and AP, my kids know who is going to get the call and have a pretty good idea how that call is…
Preparing for the Principalship: Michigan Leadership Fellows Applications Now Open
The Michigan Leadership Fellows, a collaboration between the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) and the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN), is now accepting applications for its 2026 cohort. This 18-month fellowship is designed to prepare Assistant Principals, Deans, and district leaders to become the next generation of equity-minded, transformative school principals across Michigan. Grounded in the 4 Dimensions of Leadership from the Center for Educational Leadership and Behavioral Elementsⓒ, the…
MDHHS Webinar: My Life, My Quit Resources
This session introduced educators to My Life, My Quit™, a free tobacco and vape treatment program tailored for youth. Participants learned how to guide students through the enrollment process, reinforce the development of personalized quit plans, and make use of the program’s evidence-based tools. The webinar highlighted how My Life, My Quit provides students with access to trained youth coaches, text and phone-based support, an app for Apple and Google devices, and…
Michigan Transitions from ACT WorkKeys to WIN Work Readiness: What School Leaders Need to Know
Beginning in Spring 2026, Michigan schools will no longer administer the ACT WorkKeys as part of the Michigan Merit Exam (MME). Instead, students will take the WIN Work Readiness Assessments, developed by WIN Learning, a national provider of career readiness solutions. This transition marks a significant shift after two decades of ACT WorkKeys, and while many details are still emerging, school leaders can begin preparing now. The Structure of WIN Work Readiness…
Start Strong: Practical Tools to Tackle Student Vaping in Your School
Vaping is showing up in every school, and principals are being asked to lead the response. Three free webinars through our Partners at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services this September will give you practical tools and resources to support students right away. Helping Students Break Free from Vaping: Two Free Webinars for Principals The start of a new school year is always filled with energy, but it also brings…
From Building to Leading: Connecting Behavioral Elements and Building Ranks
In the first article of this series, we introduced the concept of Behavioral Intelligence—the ability to explain, predict, influence, and control our own behaviors and those of others. We explored how the Behavioral Elements framework helps leaders understand the internal drivers that shape their actions and reactions. But understanding behavior is only the beginning. The real power of Behavioral Intelligence emerges when we apply it to the work of leading schools. In…
MDHHS Tobacco in Schools: Rethinking Zero Tolerance – A New Vision for School Tobacco & Nicotine Policies
Many K-12 school policies respond to student tobacco use and vaping with punitive approaches, such as suspension and exclusion from activities. While these actions are common, they do not address the root causes of nicotine addiction or provide the support students need to quit for good. During this session, an MDHHS tobacco policy consultant provided an overview of best practices for developing a comprehensive K-12 commercial tobacco-free/vape-free policy. The presentation included information…
The Behavioral Edge: Why Principals Need More Than Skills
What sets great principals apart isn't just their instructional knowledge or strategic mindset, it’s their ability to understand and adapt their behavior in service of others. In a world where school leaders are called to be communicators, mediators, motivators, and visionaries, often all before noon, technical competence simply isn’t enough. That’s where Behavioral Intelligence comes in.More Than Personality: A Next Step in Leadership Self-Awareness For years, educators and leaders have turned to…
MDHHS Tobacco in Schools: New and Emerging Tobacco Products
The May 22 with MDHHS featured Dr. Brittany Tayler from Hurley Hospital and MSU and Tom Moore, Public Consultant at MDHHS. The webinar focused on the health and behavioral impacts of nicotine use, particularly among youth, and highlighted the need for schools and communities to adopt more supportive, restorative approaches to tobacco cessation. Key topics included the neurological and physical effects of nicotine on adolescents, emerging trends in e-cigarette and synthetic nicotine…
Cambridge International Webinar Overview
This Cambridge International webinar provided a deep dive into the Cambridge education system, with a special focus on its potential expansion in the U.S., particularly Michigan. The session covered Cambridge’s flexible curriculum model from early years through A Level, highlighting innovative courses, assessment practices, and internationally recognized diplomas. Key topics included: Structure and benefits of the Cambridge Pathway (PreK–12) Emphasis on durable skills like collaboration, reflection, and critical thinking Assessment philosophy prioritizing equity and…