This Week in Politics in 5 Sentences (or Fewer)
Tuesday was a packed day in Lansing, with the House K-12 Appropriations Subcommittee kicking off the morning with testimony from the Future of Learning Council on the need for pupil accounting flexibility to support innovative learning models, followed by presentations from several ed tech vendors making the case for continued budget investments in their particular tools. At the same time, the House Oversight Committee voted 10–7 to advance HR 195, urging rejection…
O.L. Smith Leaders Capture MI 2026 Middle School Principal, Assistant Principal of the Year Honors
History was made with a double surprise announcement when the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals recognized two outstanding administrators at O.L. Smith Middle School in Dearborn. Mark Rummel captured Middle School Principal of the Year and Maha Fayad won Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year in front of their colleagues, friends and families. “We’ve never had the principal and assistant principal from the same school win this recognition in a…
Mason Leader Named Michigan 2026 High School Assistant Principal of the Year
Tara Becker-Utess, Mason High School Assistant Principal, was surprised by the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals, the Michigan Association of Student Councils and Honor Societies and her district during a staff meeting to announce she was selected as the award recipient for Michigan’s 2026 High School Assistant Principal of the Year. “As a member of the second cohort of Michigan Leadership for Equity and Transformation Fellows, Tara demonstrates what strong Assistant…
Region 10 Shows Us the Power of Principal-Lawmaker Partnerships: Here’s How to Start Yours
On a vibrant fall morning in Dearborn, school leaders from across Region 10 gathered at Edsel Ford High School for a dynamic and solutions-focused MASSP regional meeting. The event was hosted by principal Rima Hassan and organized in partnership with Region 10 Representative Jay Vesperman, Woodhaven High School Principal, and MASSP At-Large Board Member Nicole Rabac, Woodworth Middle School Principal. The day’s agenda reflected the priorities of today’s school leaders, with collaborative…
Leadership in Motion | Intent vs. Behavior: Closing the Leadership Credibility Gap
Navigating Change, Shaping Culture and Driving Impact Opening Reflection Last month, we explored how trust multiplies speed, how it lowers friction and accelerates progress in every corner of a school. But speed without credibility doesn’t last. Stephen M. R. Covey writes, “We judge ourselves by our intent, but others judge us by our behavior.” That line stopped me in my tracks because it perfectly captures the leadership tension every principal faces. We…
Federal Shutdown to Disrupt Food Assistance Beginning Nov. 3
By Colin Ripmaster, Deputy Executive Director and Bob Kefgen, Associate Director of Government Relations As the federal government shutdown enters its fifth week, the USDA has instructed all states, including Michigan, to pause the issuance of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits starting November 1. SNAP helps nearly 1.4 million Michiganders, including about 492,000 children, put food on the table each month. In Michigan, benefits are automatically issued directly to recipients' EBT…
All the Skills that Matter
Student voices connect mental health skills with academic performance “I feel like in my generation, instant gratification is a very big thing.” Hemanth is participating in a virtual focus group with TRAILS, an organization that equips school staff with training and resources to provide evidence-based mental health programming to their students. He and his peers feel that by developing mental health coping skills, they’re better able to meet academic and social challenges.…
Refreshing Roles: Re-Evaluating Responsibilities to Re-Energize Your Team
Every so often, it is worth hitting “refresh,” not just on your inbox, but on the roles and responsibilities of those you work alongside every day. As principals, we know how easy it is for duties to expand, overlap and evolve without much reflection. Taking time to intentionally evaluate who does what and why can boost empowerment, reduce burnout, and bring renewed energy to your leadership team. Step 1: Pause and Reflect…
This Week in Politics in 5 Sentences (or Fewer)
The House K-12 Appropriations Subcommittee turned its post-budget focus to systemic barriers facing schools, as five superintendents detailed how competitive grants, unfunded mandates, and excessive reporting requirements distract from educating students and undermine educational equity—especially for rural districts where administrators often do double or triple duty and don't have time to also be grant writers—and urged lawmakers to focus on predictable, formula-based funding. Meanwhile, the House Education Committee heard testimony on HB…
QUICK TIPS November 2025 | Time to Check In and Show Gratitude
November brings cooler days and the wrap-up of the first quarter. It’s a season that often brings the very real fatigue of fall, but also a chance to pause in gratitude for the hard work of staff, the growth of students, and the support of families. With a holiday break on the horizon, this month’s checklist will help you stay focused by keeping up with teacher observations and feedback, reviewing student progress…