2024 Lame Duck Preview
With the election in the books, the Michigan Legislature returned to Lansing this week and dove headfirst into what could become a busy lame duck session. Both chambers seem determined, at least for now, to finish out the 2023-24 legislative session with a bang (all three remaining weeks of it…tick tock). The House and Senate Education Committees both met, though they were far from the only committees that had school-related legislation on…
Pioneer Middle School Leader Named Michigan’s 2025 Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year
The Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals recognized Christopher Moore, Assistant Principal of Pioneer Middle School, as the 2025 Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year for Michigan. The announcement was made during a surprise celebration at the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools Board of Education meeting Nov.12, with many members of the Pioneer Middle School community present to share in the excitement. “MASSP’s Administrator of the Year awards honor leaders who demonstrate exceptional…
Leading Through Change: Our Commitment to You
The results of the election have brought out diverse emotions and questions across the nation, our state and our communities. In times of uncertainty and change, one thing remains clear: Our work as school leaders is vital to ensuring students are supported, valued and prepared to succeed in a complex world. Leadership in education is about remaining steadfast in our mission, regardless of external changes. By focusing on creating inclusive, equitable and…
Connecting Michigan’s School Leaders: A Message from Your NASSP State Coordinator
Written by Jason Messenger, Portage West Middle School Principal and MASSP Board of Directors Member As we move further into the school year, it's important to reflect on the dedication and leadership that principals across Michigan demonstrate every day. The role of a principal goes beyond managing a building; it’s about creating a positive environment where students, staff, and the community can thrive. As your NASSP State Coordinator, I want to highlight…
November LegalEase | Developing Effective AI Policies
The development of generative artificial intelligence in the form of large language models is potentially a game changer for educators across the country. Artificial Intelligence is really good at assisting with mundane and repetitive tasks. But risks abound and school administrators should be mindful of the risks to make sure concerns can be addressed before letting staff and students loose with this new tool. Critically, there are few suggestions that legislators at…
Effective School-Based Mental Health Programming: the TRAILS Solution
It was Christina’s 11th year teaching. In addition to the expected needs of the fifth-grade population, she noticed that, despite being several years out from the pandemic, her students had a heightened degree of anxiety and social and emotional struggles compared to the beginning of her career. She and her co-teacher had volunteered to try the social and emotional learning (SEL) program from TRAILS, a nonprofit that equips school staff with training…
Navigating the Mid-Fall Challenges: Building Resilience and Engagement in Our Schools
Written by Michael Leiter, Jenison High School Principal & MASSP Board of Directors Members As secondary school administrators across Michigan, the month of October often feels like a crucial turning point in the academic year. By this time, we’ve transitioned from the hectic energy of the school year’s beginning into a steadier rhythm. However, this period also brings its own unique challenges—student engagement may begin to wane, faculty may be feeling the…
MHSEL Fall ’24 Half-Way Update
The Michigan High School Esports League (MHSEL) is already half way through our record-setting season as 165 high schools & middle schools have been battling it out over the last 5 weeks. With over 700 total teams and 2000 students participating, it’s been a great season and we can’t wait to see how each game title league unfolds. Let’s take a look at some of our top teams so far: Super Smash…
Connecting Students to Financial Aid Opportunities in Michigan
Written by Emily Hurtado-Arboleda, High School Services Analyst with MI Student Aid in the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential. MASSP Partner in Education October is College month, and the MI Student Aid outreach team wants to help your high school by providing tools and resources to help students find their path to postsecondary education! Who We Are MI Student Aid is located within the Office of Higher Education, in…
Wilcox, Petoskey Middle School Principal, Honored as a Finalist for National Award
The National Association of Secondary School Principals named Jon Wilcox, Petoskey Middle School, as one of the top three finalists for the 2025 National Principal of the Year. This prestigious recognition celebrates Wilcox’s exemplary leadership, innovative approaches to education and his unwavering commitment to student success and school improvement. It has been more than 14 years since Michigan has had a finalist in the running for a National Administrator of the Year…