From Your Board | Principal Burden Leads with Love
Principal Burden fosters a culture of caring and non-negotiables through a blend of personal philosophy, daily routines and structured leadership frameworks. At the heart of his approach is a commitment to seeing the school as a "microcosm" of the world we want to live in. The "I Love You" Non-Negotiable The primary non-negotiable Principal Burden has established is a standard of unconditional care. Every morning, he greets both students and staff with…
Level Up Accountability: How an Alternative Academy Is Gamifying Accountability Through Student-Designed AI Badging
Every secondary administrator is familiar with the compliance chase. In alternative education and Work-Based Learning environments, this chase is amplified. We require students to complete milestones that are vital for their future, yet they do not naturally lend themselves to a traditional A-F letter grade. How do you incentivize a student to meticulously update their Educational Development Plan, consistently engage in mandatory two-way communications, or map out a career pathway to explore?…
Leadership Beyond the State Line | From Self Doubt to Gratitude
Representing Michigan in Washington, D.C. as High School Principal of the Year was one of the most meaningful experiences of my professional career. It was an incredible honor and a moment that I will carry with me for years to come. From the moment I arrived, I felt genuinely celebrated. Yet alongside that sense of pride was a quiet question that surfaced more than once: Do I belong here? Surrounded by some…
Connection Over Compliance: How Two Principals Rewrote the MTSS Playbook
What if the secret to turning around a struggling middle school wasn’t an expensive tech platform, but a quiet library, a simple weekly script and a rowdy Friday afternoon ice cream party? Meet two principals who are proving that connection, not compliance, is a catalyst for lasting student success. Confronting the Status Quo When Stephan Henning stepped through the doors as the new principal of Mason Middle School in the Waterford School…
Membership Matters Survey | Your Voice Matters
As we move toward the final stretch of the school year, I’ve found myself reflecting on the relationships, experiences and moments that make MASSP feel like more than just a professional association. For many of us, MASSP has been a place where we found our people. Maybe it was through a conference conversation, a mentor who encouraged us to join, a session that shifted our thinking, or simply knowing there were other…
MASSP Region 1: Innovation in the 906 – Rooted in Community, Driven by Purpose
Innovation in education is often synonymous with new technology, devices or digital platforms. While those tools certainly play a role, across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula – Region 1 of MASSP – we are seeing a different and more meaningful definition take shape. Innovation here is not simply about what we use, but why we use it. It is about meeting the needs of our students in ways that are relevant, authentic and deeply…
M&Ms the Dynamic Duo: Leading through Legacy, Loss and Purpose
It all started with a phone call from my Executive Director, Ms. Lamis Srour, asking me to call her back when I was alone in a room. My heart immediately started racing. My mind quickly wandered. Did I do something wrong? Why does she need to speak to me privately? I dropped everything, walked into my office, and let her know I was ready to call. When I got her on the…
Member Spotlight | Furkas Puts Students and Staff at the Center of Her Leadership
After more than two decades as a classroom social studies and English teacher, Jennifer Furkas made the move to administration, eventually becoming the Riverview Community High School Principal. “I still am really not sure how I became an administrator,” she said. “I think God just opens doors that you really kind of least expect and puts you in places that he wants you to be in. And yeah, so here I am.…
Representing Michigan, Returning from Washington, D. C., Inspired
When I was boarding the plane for the National Education Leadership Awards Conference, I had no idea what to expect. Upon arrival, I took a look at the conference schedule and saw very little “sit and get” and a lot of networking sessions. As a naturally introverted person, I was immediately concerned. However, that concern quickly evaporated when I started talking to the other award winners at the conference and realized I…
Bridging Innovation and Flexibility: The Northern Michigan Innovation Academy
The Northern Michigan Innovation Academy represents a forward-thinking shift in how East Jordan Public Schools serves its students. Offered in partnership with U-Tech Prep Academy, the program provides a personalized, flexible learning environment for students in grades 7–12. By combining high-quality online curriculum with the support of a local district, NMIA offers a unique path for families seeking alternatives to traditional seat-time education. Addressing a Growing Need The impetus for NMIA was…