Leadership in Motion | Roots Before Branches: Building What People Cannot See
Navigating Change, Shaping Culture and Driving Impact Some leaders focus on what everyone can see. They chase immediate results, quick wins and public-facing success. But meaningful, sustainable impact in a school does not begin with the branches. It begins with the roots. Just like a tree, the strength of your leadership is determined by what lies beneath the surface. The public often pays attention to the visible branches of school leadership: test…
Save Time, Engage More: Using Notebook.LM for PD, Students, and Families
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by unread professional articles or wished families actually read your weekly newsletter, Google’s Notebook.LM might be the tool that changes everything. Notebook.LM is an AI tool designed to learn from the sources you upload — whether those sources are articles, PDFs, Google Drive documents, YouTube videos or copied text. From there, it creates podcasts, summaries, mind maps, quizzes, flashcards and more. Each Notebook can hold up to…
Bring the Hour of AI to Your Classroom this December
Artificial intelligence is transforming how we live, learn, and work, yet most students have never explored how it really works or how it impacts their lives. This December during Computer Science Education Week (Dec 8–14), join educators across Michigan for the Hour of AI, a free hands-on experience designed to demystify AI and inspire curiosity about the future of technology. Join over 60 teachers already committed to host an event in Michigan! …
Membership Matters | Two Things I’m Thankful For: Our Members and Our Board
As we head into the season of gratitude, I have been reflecting on what makes MASSP so special, and two things rise to the top. First, our incredible members who continuously share their expertise, challenges, and ideas to help shape the work we do at MASSP. Second, our dedicated Board of Directors, who give their time and energy to ensure that principals and assistant principals across the state have meaningful opportunities to…
Why the Michigan Leadership Fellows Was a Turning Point in My Leadership
When I joined the Michigan Leadership Fellows, I expected to grow. What I didn’t anticipate was how profoundly the experience would shape the leader I am today and prepare me for the realities of the principalship.One of the most impactful aspects of the fellowship was the collaboration with leaders from across Michigan. Working alongside peers from a wide range of communities broadened my understanding of equity work and exposed me to diverse…
Principal Pulse Check | We asked: What is one thing your staff needs more of before winter break? (And how do you plan to provide it, if you can?)
Check out responses from your peers. Next week, consider contributing an idea and resource for a new next prompt. Positive praise. I am leaving sticky notes on their desks as I stop in rooms throughout my walk throughs. I am being intentional to notice things they are doing that have a positive impact on students and being sure to note it so they know I see it. – Amanda Theuerkorn Horizon Elementary,…
Section 27h Mentoring Grants Are Being Released: What Principals Need to Know
Districts that applied for Section 27h Mentoring and Induction funding will begin receiving individual notifications from the Michigan Department of Education starting Monday, November 17 and continuing through Friday, November 21. The Department needs to send these notices manually to all applicants, so districts may learn of the decision at different times throughout the week. A statewide press release from MDE will follow once all notifications have been sent. Payments for awarded…
From Broad Goals to Targeted Action: How Member Feedback Shaped MASSP’s Refined Policy Priorities
Over the past year, MASSP has worked closely with members to clarify how best to reduce state mandates and regulatory barriers facing Michigan’s secondary schools. This effort directly supports MASSP’s broader strategic plan by centering policy advocacy on enabling school leaders to focus on students and learning while fostering innovation. And with your help we have identified four refined policy priorities that will guide our work through the remainder of the 2025–26…
Honoring Dave Powers: Fourteen Years of Inspiring Michigan’s Future Leaders
A Vision Takes Shape In early 2011, MASSP Executive Director Wendy Zdeb envisioned a way to strengthen Michigan’s educational leadership pipeline by creating a high-quality training program, designed and facilitated by experienced practitioners, that would result in MDE-required administrator certification for aspiring school leaders. That vision became the Path to Leadership program.To bring this program to fruition, Wendy turned to trusted educators. Among those early contributors was Dave Powers, then President of…
Leadership Lives Here | Leading with Gratitude: The November Perspective Shift
As the calendar turns to November, the vibrant energy of the school year's beginning often gives way to the gritty reality of everyday operations. For us as educational leaders, it's easy to get caught in the whirlwind of logistics: staff meetings, teacher observations, challenging student issues, and the countless demands that fill our calendars. The days can feel long, and the list of "problems to solve" seems to grow rather than shrink.…