Tier 2. What to Do? Why Secondary Literacy Needs Principal Leadership
At October's Catalyst 2026: MTSS Reimagined, we challenged secondary leaders to think differently about literacy instruction. Our focus was on strengthening Tier 1 through disciplinary literacy and recognizing that what happens in every classroom matters for every student. But strong Tier 1 instruction is only part of a coherent system of support. What happens when students need more? And who is responsible for ensuring those supports actually work? Michigan's Public Act 146…
Leading with Intention: Why Investing in Assistant Principals Matters
How the 2027 AP & Dean Summit helps school leaders move from reactive decisions to intentional impact. Think about the number of decisions an Assistant Principal makes in a single day. A student discipline situation before the first bell. A difficult conversation with a parent. A teacher looking for support. A schedule that needs adjusting. An unexpected challenge that changes the direction of the afternoon. Each situation requires something different from us…
Learning Forward: Novi High School
What It Means to Be Known At Novi High School, a conversation with a student offered an unexpected window into the opportunities, expectations and relationships that shape learning. I was looking forward to seeing (Awkward Pause…), a student theatre troupe I had heard about through my colleague Lydia Cadena, who previously taught at Novi High School. Principal Nicole Carter had arranged for me to experience the entire performance in the school's black…
TL;DR: Politics Briefly
Yes, there was an election and we'll get to that. But first, because we've gotten a few questions: This Week in Politics in 5 Sentences (or Fewer) has been retired in favor of TL;DR: Politics Briefly. The new format keeps our commitment to brevity while allowing more flexibility, clearer organization, shorter sentences and, hopefully, an easier read. Now, about that election. You can find the campaign and election coverage elsewhere. For our…
Escanaba Administrator Named Michigan’s 2027 Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year
MASSP honors Escanaba Jr./Sr. High School Assistant Principal Jessica Garber for expanding student opportunities, strengthening school connections and sharing innovative practices across Michigan. Jessica Garber, assistant principal of Escanaba Jr./Sr. High School, has been named Michigan’s 2027 Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year by the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals. Garber was surprised with the award by MASSP Executive Director Colin Ripmaster during a schoolwide assembly attended by students, teachers,…
Changing the Game: Lake Orion High School’s Approach to MTSS
At Lake Orion High School, Multi-Tiered System of Supports centers on one question: What does this student need to stay connected, succeed and graduate? That question has guided the development of a process that combines focused data collection, shared responsibility and meaningful relationships. Over the past four years, the team has worked to make student support a coordinated effort that responds to individual needs and keeps students moving toward graduation. MTSS Team:…
Confidence Has a Companion: Curiosity Makes Confidence Wiser
One of the quiet surprises of leadership is that experience doesn’t necessarily make the work feel easier. It changes the kinds of questions we ask. Early in our careers, confidence often comes from finding the right answer. We study best practices, seek advice from trusted mentors, and celebrate the moments when our decisions produce the outcomes we hoped for. Every success reinforces the belief that with enough experience, leadership will eventually become…
Wednesday Morning: Leading After an Election
This is the audio version of this article "Wednesday Morning – Leading After an Election" The 2020 election season was one of the most polarized I've experienced, and that polarization wasn't limited to adults. My own two children felt it in ways I hadn't anticipated. You're reading this just a couple of days after Halloween, which takes me back to an experience my kids had while trick-or-treating in 2020. As they approached…
Legal Lowdown: Episode 1
The Intersection of Election Season and the First Amendment Students get caught up in the wave of election season as well. Students may come to school in political t-shirts or hats that get other students worked up. Do they have First Amendment protection? Can we tell them to remove the item(s)? Kevin Sutton helps administrators navigate this terrain in the first episode of the Legal Lowdown.
QUICK TIPS November 2026 | It’s All the Little Things
As we move into November with a couple months of school under our belts, it's important to remember that all of the little things can add up. These Quick Tips can provide helpful reminders to stay on track as you maintain momentum for you, your staff and students. Sarah Allen, Principal, Grayling High School on staying organized. Schedule your text messages or emails! There are often times when I think of something…