Gratitude and Appreciation: Building a Strong School Culture
It's no secret that educators are often underappreciated. The long hours, the emotional toll, and the constant pressure to meet standards can take a significant toll on our well-being. Yet, despite these challenges, we continue to dedicate ourselves to our students and our schools. As administrators, we have a unique opportunity to recognize and appreciate the hard work of our staff. By fostering a culture of gratitude, we can boost morale, increase…
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…
MHSEL Fall ’24 Playoffs are Here!
The Michigan High School Esports League (MHSEL) Fall Season set historic numbers with 165 schools, 747 teams and more than 2,200 students participating. We just completed the HS regular season and are preparing for the Fall Playoffs which start this week! Our MS teams will be extending their scholastic season for a few more weeks and won’t participate in playoffs until the Spring Season. This fall featured eight HS State Leagues, some of…
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…
Election Implications for Education in Michigan
Tuesday's general election is in the books and with it a significant pivot in the national and state political landscape. Although final results have yet to be fully tabulated nationwide, the largely Republican leaning electoral outcomes give us enough of a picture to project what the near and mid-term future may hold for education in Michigan. Let's look at both national and state political outcomes and consider what potential changes could unfold…
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…
QUICK TIPS November 2024 | Time for Renewed Purpose
Professional Development - Collaborative Learning with Peer Observations Encourage teachers to observe each other’s classrooms. Foster collaboration and insight into different teaching strategies. Hold reflective discussions after observations to share feedback and best practices. Identify areas for improvement together through shared experiences. Make professional development more interactive and practical. Look for celebrations of students and staff. Be mindful of student needs going into the holiday season, this can be a stressful time…
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…