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.…
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…