First 90 Days 2026 QUICK TIPS | Be There, Build Relationships & Be Informed
Whether you’re a new administrator, new to a building or want to remind yourself of what’s key to kick off the year, be sure to check out the First 90 Days Checklist to set yourself on the right track. As always, being there for staff and students is the first step to building and maintaining relationships. Learning what you can from meetings and data to prepare for the year ahead will help…
TL;DR: Politics Briefly
This week we lost the incomparable Dolly Parton, legendary Tim Curry, iconic voice actor Peter Cullen—Optimus Prime, Predator, and Eeyore among others—and the ability to remember the Great Lakes with the acronym HOMES. It's a shame. In state political news, the House Education Committee met Wednesday and advanced HB 5919 (Rep. Paquette) on a party-line vote. MASSP joined MASA, Oakland Schools and others in opposition. The bill is being framed as promoting…
The Right People, at the Right Time
By the time you read this, some of you are already into the new year — hallways full, buses rolling, the first fire drill behind you. Others are holding onto the last quiet mornings before it all begins. Wherever you land on the calendar, the feeling is the same: A fresh start is here, and with it that familiar mix of energy and weight. I felt both in front of many of…
Schools to Tools Brings a FREE Field Trip to Your School
With college costs rising and technology shaking up the job market, more and more students are showing interest in the skilled trades - bring FREE opportunities to your students and staff Across Michigan, new structures are redefining our skylines, infrastructure and our lives. From the Gordie Howe Bridge in Detroit to the New Lock in the Soo and places in between, Carpenters and Millwrights have joined with other skilled trades workers to…
The Innovative Leaders Network: An Opportunity to Lead Innovation at Your School
As school leaders return to their buildings, much of their attention is focused on preparing everyone else for the year ahead like planning professional learning, identifying instructional priorities, reviewing goals, and thinking about the experiences they want to create for students. While you’re planning to support everyone around you, don’t forget to make space for your own growth. What do you want to learn this year? What challenge or opportunity would you…
September 2026 QUICK TIPS | Let’s Do This!
As another school year begins, the pace is fast, the expectations are high and every interaction matters. The opening weeks set the tone for the culture, systems and relationships that will carry a school throughout the year. In this edition of MASSP Quick Tips, principals from across Michigan share practical strategies that have helped them launch the school year successfully – from building meaningful connections with students and staff, maintaining a visible…
Michigan High School Esports League Fall Season Registration is Now Open!
Returning and new schools can register on our new USAEL/RallyCry platform using the Registration Guide and IT Requirements Guide. Register for the 2026 Fall MHSEL Season. Coaches can also join MHSEL & RallyCry staff for a guided walkthrough of the new platform, including key features, resources, and tools for managing the season. Choose a session: August 25 at 3 PM or August 26 at 7 PM.
Evaluating Probationary Teachers to Facilitate Professional Growth and Effectiveness
Individualized Development Plan The Teachers’ Tenure Act requires that all probationary teachers receive an Individualized Development Plan (“IDP”) developed by an “appropriate” administrator in consultation with the teacher. An IDP includes specific performance goals to assist the teacher with improving effectiveness, and with designated training to help the teacher meet those goals. The IDP must include a timeline during which the teacher must meet IDP goals that may not exceed 180 days.…
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…
Tilling the Soil – Preparing for the Year Ahead
Each August, something shifts. We walk our buildings. We hear the hum of returning life. We feel both the excitement and the weight of a new year ahead. It’s a lot like tilling a garden. Before we can plant anything meaningful, the soil has to be turned over. It has to be broken up, aerated and made ready to receive what's next. That's what great leaders do before the first day of…