Date:
March 8, 2025 – March 15, 2025
8:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Location:
Online
Cost:
$75 per person
Registration for this event has closed.
Considering building leadership? Know someone who is? Join MASSP for two morning sessions of resume help, interviewing techniques, networking and more! This workshop will be broken up into two segments over two Saturday mornings and is open to aspiring principals, APs, deans and even current admins who want to take their careers to the next level! You don’t even need to take a day away from the office – it’s on Saturday, March 8, and Saturday, March 15, 2025.
Workshop At-A-Glance:
- Highly effective, experienced Assistant Principals and Principals from around the state will provide breakout sessions in an area of their own expertise
- 3 Breakout Rounds
- Principal Panel Discussion
- Highly effective, experienced Superintendents and Principals from around the state will conduct the practice interviews in which all attendees will have an opportunity to field questions and get feedback on their responses
- 3 Practice Interview Rounds
- Words of advice
- Resume and Cover Letter feedback and tips
- Interview Tips
- Researching a school/district using MiSchool Data and other sources
- Opportunities for Preparing Yourself to be an Administrator
- Administrator Certification
Who Should Attend
- Teacher Leaders/Aspiring Principals
- Assistant Principals/Deans
- Other Current Administrators
Agenda At A Glance
Saturday, March 8
- 8:25 – 8:30 AM | Early Login & Tech Check
- 8:30 – 8:40 AM | Welcome and Introductions
- 8:40 – 9:10 AM | Mock Interview Round 1 (Breakout Rooms)
- 9:10 – 9:15 AM | Transition Break
- 9:15 – 9:45 AM | Mock Interview Round 2 (Breakout Rooms)
- 9:45 – 9:50 AM | Transition Break
- 9:50 – 10:20 AM | Mock Interview Round 3 (Breakout Rooms)
- 10:20 – 10:25 AM | Transition Break
- 10:25 – 11:00 AM | Wrap-up, Feedback & Networking
Saturday, March 15
- 8:25 – 8:30 AM | Early Login & Tech Check
- 8:30 – 8:50 AM | Welcome & Instructions
- 8:50 – 9:10 AM | Round Robin Session 1 (Breakout Rooms)
- 9:10 – 9:15 AM | Transition Break
- 9:15 – 9:35 AM | Round Robin Session 2 (Breakout Rooms)
- 9:35 – 9:40 AM | Transition Break
- 9:40 – 10:00 AM | Round Robin Session 3 (Breakout Rooms)
- 10:00 – 10:05 AM | Break
- 10:05 – 11:00 AM | Principal Panel Discussion (Main Room)
MASSP Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made ten (10) business days or more in advance of the training date, will receive a 100% refund. Cancellations made after this date, including no-shows, are nonrefundable. Registration fees may be transferred to another individual by contacting the MASSP office at (517) 327-5315.
In the event that MASSP must cancel a training due to unforeseen circumstances, including inclement weather, participants will be refunded the cost of registration or may credit the fee toward an upcoming training. MASSP does not assume responsibility for any additional costs, charges or expenses; to include, charges made for travel and lodging.
March 8, 2025
8:25 AM – 8:30 AM
Early Login & Tech Check
March 8, 2025
8:30 AM – 8:50 AM
Welcome & Instructions
March 8, 2025
8:50 AM – 9:10 AM
Round Robin Session 1 (Breakout Rooms)
March 8, 2025
9:10 AM – 9:15 AM
Transition Break
March 8, 2025
9:15 AM – 9:35 AM
Round Robin Session 2 (Breakout Rooms)
March 8, 2025
9:35 AM – 9:40 AM
Transition Break
March 8, 2025
9:40 AM – 10:00 AM
Round Robin Session 3 (Breakout Rooms)
March 8, 2025
10:00 AM – 10:05 AM
Break
March 8, 2025
10:05 AM – 11:00 AM
Principal Panel Discussion (Main Room)
March 15, 2025
8:25 AM – 8:30 AM
Early Login & Tech Check
March 15, 2025
8:30 AM – 8:40 AM
Welcome & Instructions
March 15, 2025
8:40 AM – 9:10 AM
Mock Interview Round 1 (Breakout Rooms)
March 15, 2025
9:10 AM – 9:15 AM
Transition Break
March 15, 2025
9:15 AM – 9:45 AM
Mock Interview Round 2 (Breakout Rooms)
March 15, 2025
9:45 AM – 9:50 AM
Transition Break
March 15, 2025
9:50 AM – 10:20 AM
Mock Interview Round 3 (Breakout Rooms)
March 15, 2025
10:20 AM – 10:25 AM
Transition Break
March 15, 2025
10:25 AM – 11:00 AM
Wrap-up, Feedback & Networking
Repeating Round Robin Sessions
All of the presentations will repeat in each of our three Round Robin sessions and participants will have the opportunity to choose which sessions they’d like to attend and in which order.
Round Robin Sessions
March 8, 2025 | 8:50 AM
Fist Bump Fridays, Steno Notebooks, and Other Lessons Learned
Todd Distelrath, Principal, Chippewa Valley High School
A principal shares helpful ideas and practices for doing the job. Specifically, we will discuss visibility, setting a vision, communication, staff meetings and mindset. You will leave with tools to help you plan your days and develop your purpose as a principal.
Round Robin Sessions
March 8, 2025 | 8:50 AM
Small District Principalship
David Lindbeck, Kingsford High School
This session will center on what life is like as a building principal in a small rural district. While the primary focus of our time will be on the many rewards that are specific to leading a small building, there will also be a discussion of some of the challenges to be considered in both contexts. This session will be very interactive, with ample time for participant Q&A.
Round Robin Sessions
March 8, 2025 | 8:50 AM
Intentional Leadership and Communication: Just Tell Them the Truth
Mike Ostrander, Assistant Superintendent and HS Principal, Belding High School
Leadership isn’t just about keeping things running — it’s about being intentional. Clear communication shapes school culture, builds trust and prevents chaos. In this session, we’ll explore how to set a vision, gain buy-in, avoid mixed messages and handle tough conversations with confidence. Expect practical takeaways, real talk and a few laughs as we turn communication into your leadership superpower.
Round Robin Sessions
March 8, 2025 | 8:50 AM
No Bells, No Boundaries: Managing Time as a School Leader
Jason Shrock, Principal, Howell High School
As a teacher, your day is structured by the bell; as a principal, your day is dictated by the unexpected. With no bells to guide your time, it’s easy to get caught in a cycle of constant urgency, leaving little room for what truly matters. The key to effective leadership isn’t just managing time — it’s mastering it. In this session, we’ll explore practical strategies to build an organizational system, protect your calendar and stay focused on your school’s vision. Learn how to take control of your time — before everyone else does!
Round Robin Sessions
March 8, 2025 | 8:50 AM
Essential Actions for First-Year Administrators
Theresa Stager, Principal, Saline High School
This session is tailored for aspiring principals poised to embark on their leadership journey. This workshop sheds light on the critical, practical steps that are vital for a successful first year. The session emphasizes actionable strategies and real-life insights to equip new administrators with the confidence and skills to lead with impact from day one.
Round Robin Sessions
March 8, 2025 | 8:50 AM
Shaping School Culture with Social-Emotional Strategies
Yvonne Swanson, Associate Principal, Henry Ford II High School
School administrators play a pivotal role in shaping a vibrant and inclusive school culture. By intentionally and consistently integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) strategies, leaders can transform their campuses into environments where every student and staff member feels valued, respected and supported. Best of all, many of these strategies are both highly impactful and budget friendly. Join this session to explore practical, evidence-based approaches that school leaders can implement immediately to foster connection, belonging and success across their schools.
Round Robin Sessions
March 8, 2025 | 8:50 AM
Women in Leadership: Insights for Aspiring Secondary Principals
Amy Pashak, Principal, Walled Lake Western High School
Drawing from 11 years in high school administration and the experience of being the first female high school principal in two different schools, this session will provide practical insights, encouragement and strategies for women pursuing leadership roles. Participants will gain an understanding of the unique challenges and expectations faced by female leaders and learn how to navigate them with confidence and resilience. Leave inspired to embrace your leadership journey and equipped to break barriers in secondary education.
Round Robin Sessions
March 8, 2025 | 8:50 AM
Navigating MI School Data: Uncovering Key Insights
Tammy Jackson, MASSP
Participants will learn which metrics and data points are crucial for assessing school performance, culture, and community engagement, helping them to make informed decisions and present themselves as knowledgeable and prepared candidates.