Leadership in Motion | Beyond the Streetlight: What Are You Not Asking?
There’s an old story my father shared with me when I was figuring out what to do after high school. It still echoes in moments of uncertainty and continued to resonate as I moved from the classroom as a teacher, to the building level as an assistant principal and principal, and now to the state level with MASSP. While I’m no longer serving in a principal role, I often share this story…
How to Handle ESTA Leave Requests
You probably heard about the recent enactment of the Michigan Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA). Which employees does ESTA apply to, and how should building administrators handle ESTA leave requests? How do ESTA leave requirements intersect with other employee leave entitlements? This article addresses these critical questions. Employees Subject to ESTA ESTA applies to most school employees, including salaried and hourly employees who work either full-time or part-time work schedules. The statute…
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…
From Thrun Law Firm | McKinney-Vento: Who is Homeless?
Students experiencing homelessness is no small concern. The most recent comprehensive, nation-wide survey counted 1,374,537 students experiencing homelessness during the 2022-2023 school year. The federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act grants equal access to public education to K-12 students experiencing homelessness. The Act mandates that schools revise policies and practices that place barriers on the enrollment, attendance, and academic success of students facing homelessness. Public Notice Obligations All schools must designate a “Homeless…
Trust Fuels Agility: What Every Secondary Principal Needs to Know
When educational leaders talk about agility, we often focus on flexible scheduling, adaptive systems, or instructional shifts. But beneath all of those is something deeper: trust. Without trust, decisions stall, staff retreat into self-preservation, and innovation flatlines. True organizational agility in schools, especially at the secondary level, is impossible without a high-trust culture. Leadership Question: What would your staff say they’re trusted to lead and where are they still waiting for permission?…
MHSEL Celebrates Record Growth and National Recognition
Since its inception in the 2020–21 school year, the Michigan High School Esports League has experienced remarkable growth, establishing itself as a premier platform for competitive gaming in the state. MHSEL launched with only 24 schools and 34 teams. Now entering its sixth year, the league boasts participation from more than 200 schools, 840+ teams, with more than 3,700 student participants across Michigan. MHSEL offers a diverse array of 15 popular game…
Celebrating All the Small Moments: How to Make Middle School Memorable and Build a Positive Working Culture
May in middle school feels like sprinting a marathon — uphill, in a windstorm. There’s testing on one end, transitions on the other, and everything in between: retirements, celebrations, staffing, scheduling, and maybe a countdown or two. Everyone’s exhausted, including the students. Time is short, tensions are high and the to-do list keeps growing. In all the noise and urgency, it’s easy to just keep pushing forward. But if we don’t pause…
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…
The Detroit Lions Challenge You to Host Blood Drives this Summer
By Versiti Blood Center of Michigan When Michigan’s high school football players watch the Detroit Lions, they look up to the team in more ways than one. To these student athletes, the Lions are heroes not merely for their game-changing touchdown drives, but even more so for their difference-making blood drives. A Versiti Blood Center of Michigan program gives those hardworking student athletes a way to follow their favorite players’ footsteps –…
2025-26 Student Leadership Events – Registration Now Open!
Spots are limited – reserve your place today! Ready to level up your student leadership experience? Our statewide lineup of Student Leadership Events is now open for registration! These one-of-a-kind workshops and conferences are designed to help students grow critical skills in communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and school impact. Our events are open to EVERY STUDENT! Whether you're a student council officer, leadership student, or just someone who wants to make a difference,…