Plans Move Schools. People Move Communities.
There are probably not many principal preparation programs that include a course on how to move an entire school. Yet this summer, that became part of the job description for my colleagues, Dr. Tim Moore and Lisa O’Connor. For the better part of last year, our district had been preparing for a significant transition. Our ninth graders would return to Howell High School, bringing all four grade levels under one roof for…
What’s Your Story?
One of my favorite parts of this job is hearing the stories that don't make the headlines. The conversations that happen in hallways at conferences. The coffee before a meeting starts. The moment someone leans in and says, "Let me tell you what we pulled off this year!" Those are the ones I remember. This year, MASSP is making a real push to amplify the voices of school leaders across Michigan, and…
That Was Great | Campers Take What They Learn into Life
The first week of Michigan Student Leadership Camp back in 2016 changed Paige Weber’s life. This senior counselor said camp expanded her world in ways she never imagined it would, meeting people from backgrounds different from her own, building lifelong friendships, and learning lessons that shaped who she would become. With three years as a camper and seven on staff, she’s not only supporting students at camp, but also in her own…
Member Spotlight | If You See It, You Can Be It – This is What Can Happen when a Visual Learner Becomes a Principal
While sitting in an interview for an assistant principal candidate, Evan Winkler, Brandywine Middle/Senior High School Principal (then a phys ed, health teacher and coach), heard what the person up for the role was talking about and thought “I feel like that's what I love about teaching.” After seeing that same person be successful as an administrator, and with some encouragement from building leaders, Evan pursued his certification through MASSP’s Path to…
From Your Board | Principal Burden Leads with Love
Principal Burden fosters a culture of caring and non-negotiables through a blend of personal philosophy, daily routines and structured leadership frameworks. At the heart of his approach is a commitment to seeing the school as a "microcosm" of the world we want to live in. The "I Love You" Non-Negotiable The primary non-negotiable Principal Burden has established is a standard of unconditional care. Every morning, he greets both students and staff with…
Level Up Accountability: How an Alternative Academy Is Gamifying Accountability Through Student-Designed AI Badging
Every secondary administrator is familiar with the compliance chase. In alternative education and Work-Based Learning environments, this chase is amplified. We require students to complete milestones that are vital for their future, yet they do not naturally lend themselves to a traditional A-F letter grade. How do you incentivize a student to meticulously update their Educational Development Plan, consistently engage in mandatory two-way communications, or map out a career pathway to explore?…
Leadership Beyond the State Line | From Self Doubt to Gratitude
Representing Michigan in Washington, D.C. as High School Principal of the Year was one of the most meaningful experiences of my professional career. It was an incredible honor and a moment that I will carry with me for years to come. From the moment I arrived, I felt genuinely celebrated. Yet alongside that sense of pride was a quiet question that surfaced more than once: Do I belong here? Surrounded by some…
Connection Over Compliance: How Two Principals Rewrote the MTSS Playbook
What if the secret to turning around a struggling middle school wasn’t an expensive tech platform, but a quiet library, a simple weekly script and a rowdy Friday afternoon ice cream party? Meet two principals who are proving that connection, not compliance, is a catalyst for lasting student success. Confronting the Status Quo When Stephan Henning stepped through the doors as the new principal of Mason Middle School in the Waterford School…
Membership Matters Survey | Your Voice Matters
As we move toward the final stretch of the school year, I’ve found myself reflecting on the relationships, experiences and moments that make MASSP feel like more than just a professional association. For many of us, MASSP has been a place where we found our people. Maybe it was through a conference conversation, a mentor who encouraged us to join, a session that shifted our thinking, or simply knowing there were other…
MASSP Region 1: Innovation in the 906 – Rooted in Community, Driven by Purpose
Innovation in education is often synonymous with new technology, devices or digital platforms. While those tools certainly play a role, across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula – Region 1 of MASSP – we are seeing a different and more meaningful definition take shape. Innovation here is not simply about what we use, but why we use it. It is about meeting the needs of our students in ways that are relevant, authentic and deeply…