Reimagining Middle-School Learning Through Teamed Educator Models
In Michigan’s evolving educational landscape, facing staffing pressures, shifting student needs, and the demand for more personalized learning, middle schools are poised for innovation. Through the partnership between the Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative (MEWI) and Arizona State University’s Next Education Workforce initiative, Michigan is bringing a team-based staffing model to middle schools that rethinks the conventional one-teacher/one-classroom approach. The concept of teaming is not a new or innovative practice; however, the intentionality around teaming…
Celebrating Michigan’s Finest: MASSP Honors Four Educational Leaders as 2026 Administrators of the Year
The Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals, in partnership with the Michigan Association of Student Councils and Honor Societies, is proud to recognize four outstanding school leaders as the 2026 Michigan Administrators of the Year. Each year, MASSP honors exceptional secondary school administrators who demonstrate visionary leadership, dedication to student success, and commitment to advancing education in Michigan. Tara Becker-Utess, Mason High School Assistant Principal On October 29, Tara Becker-Utess, Assistant Principal…
Midland High School Principal Establishes Legacy as MI 2026 High School Principal of the Year
With balloons decorating the gym and a pep band setting the tone, Tiela Schurman’s family, students and colleagues were there to cheer for her when Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals Executive Director Wendy Zdeb made the surprise announcement recognizing her as the Michigan 2026 High School Principal of the Year. “When she served as a MASSP Board member I saw Tiela’s professionalism and enthusiasm first hand as she presented for our…
Principal Pulse Check | We asked: What part of your job feels most overwhelming right now, and what are you doing to overcome or cope with that feeling?
Check out responses from your peers. Next week, consider contributing an idea and resource for a new next prompt. Student mental health. I work with obtaining signed permission forms and changing placeholders to classes for students taking online, DE, and independent study classes. What is most overwhelming to me is set deadlines and our counseling team not following them. To cope, I keep telling myself that if this is "What's best for…
Michigan’s Mission: Turning 31aa Funds into Impact
With MASSP's Partner in Education, Navigate360 – join Navigate360 for a FREE Webinar on Wednesday, November 12 at 9 AM (ET) to see how to turn funding into outcomes. Must opt in to 31aa by November 16. Save Your Seat! Register Today This isn't just funding. It's Michigan’s mission. Michigan's education budget for FY 2025–26 invests a record breaking $321 million in school safety and mental health through Section 31aa of SB 166. Join Navigate360’s tactical session to see a clear path…
Discipline with Dignity: How We Handle Kids When They Mess Up Matters
The call came mid-afternoon from my son’s assistant principal. My son had thrown a paper airplane in class, not exactly a capital offense, but enough to warrant a trip to the office under their management process for classes with guest teachers. As a Dad who is also a former Principal and AP, my kids know who is going to get the call and have a pretty good idea how that call is…
LegalEase October 2025 | Facility Dogs– They’re Not Service Dogs, But They Still Provide A Service
With the temperature dropping and the sunlight waning, there is perhaps no better time than the present to consider the addition of four legged friends in the educational environment. While it seems everyone has experience with service animals, more and more school districts are welcoming a different type of trained dog—facility dogs—to their campuses. Service Animals The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides that a service animal is a dog or miniature…
A Principal’s Guide to Understanding Michigan’s School Aid Fund
Michigan school leaders are often asked the same tough questions:“Where does all the lottery money go?”“Why does record funding not always mean more money for schools?”MASSP’s recent webinar, A Principal’s Guide to Understanding and Explaining the Raid on School Aid, unpacked these issues in practical terms. Presented by Bob Kefgen (MASSP) and Jennifer Smith (MASB), this session helped administrators gain a clearer picture of how Michigan’s school finance system actually works—and why…
O.L. Smith Leaders Capture MI 2026 Middle School Principal, Assistant Principal of the Year Honors
History was made with a double surprise announcement when the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals recognized two outstanding administrators at O.L. Smith Middle School in Dearborn. Mark Rummel captured Middle School Principal of the Year and Maha Fayad won Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year in front of their colleagues, friends and families. “We’ve never had the principal and assistant principal from the same school win this recognition in a…
Mason Leader Named Michigan 2026 High School Assistant Principal of the Year
Tara Becker-Utess, Mason High School Assistant Principal, was surprised by the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals, the Michigan Association of Student Councils and Honor Societies and her district during a staff meeting to announce she was selected as the award recipient for Michigan’s 2026 High School Assistant Principal of the Year. “As a member of the second cohort of Michigan Leadership for Equity and Transformation Fellows, Tara demonstrates what strong Assistant…