Navigating the Mid-Fall Challenges: Building Resilience and Engagement in Our Schools
Written by Michael Leiter, Jenison High School Principal & MASSP Board of Directors Members As secondary school administrators across Michigan, the month of October often feels like a crucial turning point in the academic year. By this time, we’ve transitioned from the hectic energy of the school year’s beginning into a steadier rhythm. However, this period also brings its own unique challenges—student engagement may begin to wane, faculty may be feeling the…
MHSEL Fall ’24 Half-Way Update
The Michigan High School Esports League (MHSEL) is already half way through our record-setting season as 165 high schools & middle schools have been battling it out over the last 5 weeks. With over 700 total teams and 2000 students participating, it’s been a great season and we can’t wait to see how each game title league unfolds. Let’s take a look at some of our top teams so far: Super Smash…
Connecting Students to Financial Aid Opportunities in Michigan
Written by Emily Hurtado-Arboleda, High School Services Analyst with MI Student Aid in the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential. MASSP Partner in Education October is College month, and the MI Student Aid outreach team wants to help your high school by providing tools and resources to help students find their path to postsecondary education! Who We Are MI Student Aid is located within the Office of Higher Education, in…
Wilcox, Petoskey Middle School Principal, Honored as a Finalist for National Award
The National Association of Secondary School Principals named Jon Wilcox, Petoskey Middle School, as one of the top three finalists for the 2025 National Principal of the Year. This prestigious recognition celebrates Wilcox’s exemplary leadership, innovative approaches to education and his unwavering commitment to student success and school improvement. It has been more than 14 years since Michigan has had a finalist in the running for a National Administrator of the Year…
Addressing Anonymous Threats: New Recommendations from Michigan State Police
by Tom Lietz and Bob Kefgen, edited by ChatGPT 4o SWATTING calls and social media threats are the most recent and increasingly common challenge for K-12 leadership. While the media is newer, the idea of anonymous threats is not. The Michigan State Police (MSP) have released new recommendations aimed at helping schools respond more effectively to anonymous threats. These threats, often made through phone calls, social media, or even written messages, can…
Leading from the Middle: Taking the ‘Big Picture’ to the ‘Boots on the Ground’
As principals, we’re often caught in the middle—sandwiched between the ambitious goals of our district, the needs and morale of our staff, and the expectations of parents and students. After more than a decade in this role, I’ve realized that being a principal isn’t just about implementing change; it’s about sustaining it. Most leadership conversations focus on what’s next—the next initiative, the next strategic priority, the next professional development focus. Principals exist…
Leading from the Middle: Taking the “Big Picture” to the “Boots on the Ground”
Written by Jason Schrock, Howell High School Principal & MASSP Board of Directors Member As principals, we’re often caught in the middle—sandwiched between the ambitious goals of our district, the needs and morale of our staff, and the expectations of parents and students. After more than a decade in this role, I’ve realized that being a principal isn’t just about implementing change; it’s about sustaining it. Most leadership conversations focus on what’s…
Lean In and Step Up!
At EdCon this past summer the Executive Board and the MASSP staff challenged the Board of Directors to “lean in and step up” to spearhead the drive across Michigan to innovate and improve the quality of education for every stakeholder from the Ohio border to the UP and from Port Austin to Lake Michigan. Like every EdCon attendee we received the "Co-Intelligence" book and each of us signed up for the Michigan…
Michigan Leadership Fellows: A Pathway to Principalship
By Tom Lietz, edited by ChatGPT 4o As Michigan schools continue to evolve and confront diverse challenges, the role of a school leader becomes more crucial than ever. The Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) and the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) are stepping up with a solution: the Michigan Leadership for Equity and Transformation Fellowship. This unique 18-month program is designed to cultivate assistant principals (APs) and other school leaders…
October LegalEase | Student Displays
As the calendar turns to October in a presidential election year, there are a growing number of questions and concerns about the First Amendment rights of students. Student walkouts and armbands are the traditional fodder for student protest behaviors – but what about when a student wants to prepare a display on school property? Invariably, the discussion about a display will involve an allegation that the display is on “public property” and…