Membership Matters: Strengthening the Principal–Administrative Assistant Partnership
School leadership is often described through the lens of vision, decision-making, and instructional leadership. Yet behind every effective principal is a strong operational partnership that helps translate priorities into action: the relationship between the building leader and their administrative assistant. This partnership is not simply logistical. It is foundational to the daily rhythm, organization, and responsiveness of the school. The Often-Unseen Leadership Team Administrative assistants serve as communication managers, organizational anchors, scheduling…
From Conference to Culture Shift: How One Team Built a Culture Where Students and Staff Want to Be
Alysia Samborsky was introduced to the Jostens Renaissance framework at just the right time. After 10 years of teaching she had moved into administration and saw a definite need for culture building. Fortunately, around that time, her fellow L’Anse Creuse administrator, Meredith Beard, attended MASSP’s annual EdCon conference and heard Dr. Phil Campbell speak. Meredith took his message back to her colleagues and she, Alysia, Nick Ellul and Melissa Chase got district…
How Virtual Co-Teaching Is Helping Schools Expand Career-Connected Learning
By Protégé Game Studios • “Play to Learn, Create for Knowledge.” Across Michigan secondary schools, leaders are being asked to expand career-connected learning, STEM, and technology pathway opportunities while managing limited staffing, tight budgets, and increasing instructional demands. While student interest in technology-driven fields continues to grow, many schools face a common challenge: how to offer relevant, industry-aligned instruction without adding unsustainable pressure on teachers or requiring highly specialized in-house expertise. A…
Explore MACUL 2026 with AI: A Quick Tutorial for Educators
MACUL has released a short tutorial showing how to use Google’s NotebookLM, an AI tool that helps educators make sense of complex information using trusted sources. In this tutorial, you’ll: Learn how NotebookLM works Use real MACUL 2026 Conference data to explore sessions, speakers, and topics See how AI can support decision-making—not just content creation MACUL also provides the same source documents used in the video so you can create your own AI-powered notebook and explore…
Member Spotlight | The Spotlight’s Not Big Enough
When I was a journalism and social studies teacher, friends and I used to talk about how great it would be if we could develop a Creative Arts Academy in the building. On a recent site visit to Centerline High School to see the Academy Model in action with members of the Innovative Leaders Network, I saw how making that dream come true might have been a possibility. Guided by well-informed student…
Tips for Testifying in Court
Testifying under oath is daunting for anyone, including principals. But these practical tips, covering everything from courtroom etiquette to strategies for answering tough questions, will ease the pressure. Tip #1: Be there or be square. Bring a copy of the subpoena with you to the courthouse (or have a copy readily available for virtual proceedings). The subpoena contains valuable information about the date, time, and location of the hearing, as well as…
Balancing Growth and Innovation in CTE: Wenzel Leads Without Losing the Human Touch
In the world of Career and Technical Education, the stakes are often measured in real-world outcomes. As Joe Wenzel, Wilson Talent Center Principal, puts it: “Do you want someone working on your brakes that gets a 70% on their brake test, or do you want them to be proficient at it?” This focus on competency is what led Wenzel to support a grassroots move toward Evidence-Based Reporting within the building. For Wenzel,…
This Week in Politics in 5 Sentences (or Fewer)
Governor Whitmer signed HB 4141 and SB 495 Tuesday implementing Michigan's first, statewide restrictions on student use of “wireless communications devices” during instructional time—MASSP members can review our earlier implementation article and join us on February 26 at 9 a.m. for a webinar to support principals and leadership teams as they prepare for next year (click here to register). The Senate Education Committee also unanimously advanced HB 4556-57, bipartisan legislation that would…
Governor’s Budget Advances Weighted Foundation Model, Boosts Key Line Items…but Expands School Aid Raid
Governor Whitmer has released her Fiscal Year 2027 Executive Budget Recommendation, proposing a 2.5% increase in the foundation allowance and taking a significant structural step toward a true weighted student funding model. The proposal would increase the foundation from $10,050 to $10,300 per pupil and increase weighted funding line items by 6%, while formally rolling At-Risk and English Language Learner (ELL) funding into the foundation formula itself. While the structural reforms represent…
SET SEG Skilled Trade Scholarship Now Available
The SET SEG Foundation Skilled Trade Scholarship provides 20 qualified Michigan high school seniors ascholarship to further enhance educational opportunities within the skilled trades. Thanks to our generous donors, we have increased the scholarship amount this year to $1,000! With the shortage ofskilled trades workers in Michigan, the goal is to help revitalize the skilled trade career path as well asprovide opportunities for young learners and future generations to develop their skills…