From the Boardroom to the Classroom: A Varsity Challenge
It’s a Monday night and the School Board meeting starts as it usually does: the Pledge, approval of minutes, and then on to the agenda. Shortly into the evening, the “student report to the Board” comes up which is when the Board hears from student leaders about upcoming events, reminders and the energy of student life. But this time, the routine takes a turn. After sharing the usual calendar highlights, a student…
Lead with Trust: MASSP’s New Asynchronous Book Study on The Speed of Trust
Trust is more than a soft skill; it’s the one thing that changes everything. This fall, MASSP is launching an innovative, asynchronous book study based on Stephen Covey’s The Speed of Trust. Designed for busy school leaders, this book study, which is led by MASSP Executive Director Wendy Zdeb, provides the flexibility of self-paced learning while combining the power of professional reading, authentic conversations, and reflective practice. How It WorksParticipants will move…
AP Sarah Wasilk Leads with Communication, Coaching & Culture Building
Taking on five preps as a new teacher at Clarkston Junior High more than two decades ago may have prepared Assistant Principal Sarah Wasilk to take on the simultaneous challenges and responsibilities she’s faced there every day for nearly a decade as a middle level administrator. Early in her teaching career Sarah earned a Masters in Administration and started working in the office on her conference hour. Spending time with students individually…
Innovation in a Rural District: Blending Trades, Tech and E-Sports for Student Success
When we hear the word innovation in education, we often picture teaching models such as blended learning, flipped classrooms, standards-based grading or project-based learning. Those approaches have their place, but after spending the year in the MASSP Innovative Leaders Network, I’ve been able to reflect on the innovation happening in Brown City Community Schools, my own small rural district. Reimagining a Legacy Program One of the leading places of innovation in our…
Leading for All: 6 Traits to Strengthen Your Inclusive Leadership
In the bustling hallways of our secondary schools, you manage a complex and vibrant tapestry of students, staff and families. Every individual brings a unique background, perspective, and set of needs. To truly unlock the potential of every student and staff member, we must lead with inclusion at the forefront. A powerful framework from Deloitte University, "The Six Signature Traits of Inclusive Leadership," by Bernadette Dillon and Juliet Rourke offers an understanding…
Protecting Tomorrow: Take a Proactive Stance with Enhanced Tobacco-Free Policy
It is back-to-school season, which is a great time to reflect on your current district/school policies and evaluate if there is a need to update them. The Tobacco Section at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) encourages districts and schools to take time to review their current tobacco-free policies (which includes electronic nicotine delivery systems or e-cigarettes). There are some key components that are recommended to ensure your district…
Legalease September 2025 | Navigating Parent Opt Outs After Mahmoud v. Taylor
In recent years, parents unhappy with a school’s curricular decisions or policy choices have provided a multitude of “opt outs” on a number of bases. In June, the United States Supreme Court issued its opinion in Mahmoud v. Taylor and acknowledged a limited right to opt out of certain curriculum based on religious objections. In Mahmoud, the school district introduced a variety of LGBTQ+-inclusive storybooks into the elementary school curriculum, which presented topics…
Principal Pulse Check | We asked: What is one strategy you’re using to build positive staff culture as the school year kicks off?
Tomorrow is drive your tractor to school, so we are all wearing flannels and boots! As a Capturing Kids Hearts school, we start each meeting with "Good Things" so that people can share their wins, whether in school, home, family, etc. Builds a great sense of community, and allows us to celebrate each other. Monitoring enforcement of revised electronic device policy. Teachers see it and know we are all in this together.…
It’s Not Too Late to Join the Innovative Leaders Network—Kickoff Happens This Month!
Are you a school leader looking for a fresh, future-ready perspective on teaching and learning? There’s still time to join MASSP’s Innovative Leaders Network (ILN), and we’re kicking things off this month with a dynamic in-person experience in Lansing. ILN Year 1 Launch: In-Person Kickoff Date: September 24, 2025 Location: Lansing (MASSP Office) Time: 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM (includes lunch) Who Should Attend: Principals, assistant principals, teacher leaders, and central office…
Michigan Transitions from ACT WorkKeys to WIN Work Readiness: What School Leaders Need to Know
Beginning in Spring 2026, Michigan schools will no longer administer the ACT WorkKeys as part of the Michigan Merit Exam (MME). Instead, students will take the WIN Work Readiness Assessments, developed by WIN Learning, a national provider of career readiness solutions. This transition marks a significant shift after two decades of ACT WorkKeys, and while many details are still emerging, school leaders can begin preparing now. The Structure of WIN Work Readiness…