Massp Podcast

In this podcast, Nina interviews new board member, Ms. Tiela Schurman, Region 4 rep and principal of Midland High School. Tiela talks about her "why" and what drives her passion for education.

In this episode, we are joined by the Assistant Principal team from Granville High School that includes Ashley Buchholz, Matt Cook & Michael Kennedy, as they share their journey using a MTSS program to work with students on both academic and behavior improvements.  They share who is on the team, what the components look like and lessons learned over the last decade.  This is a great episode for anyone wanting to implement or improve their MTSS systems this year so let’s give it a listen.

In this episode, former MASSP President & Principal of the Year, Jim French (ret.), joins the podcast to share his passion and experience on RTI programs to help support academic achievement for students.  Learn the approach used at Portage North HS and the positive impact a successful RTI program had on their school.

In this podcast, Nina talks with region 10 Board of Director representative, Principal Jay Vesperman. Jay talks about his transition from Assistant Principal of Woodhaven High School to being recently named the new building Principal.

In this episode, Nina talks with Sharon Malaga and Monica Lowe, both clerical staff from L'Anse Creuse Middle School East about what a day in their life looks like.

This episode features a handful of aministrators from a couple of school districts as we focus on how to keep are hallways safe and make sure students are where they are supposed to be.  We are joined by Assistant Principals from both Grand Haven High School and Holland High School and learn about their different strategies for keeping track of where kids are and how to ensure hallways are safe and secure, and just as important, we are maximizing the time students are spending in the classroom for instruction.

Are you interested in learning about alternative discipline methods? In this episode, Torrie Maas of East Middle School (Farmington) talks about how they have implemented creative methods to help their middle school students learn from their mistakes and poor judgment. She explains how students can learn and have less punitive consequences when a school community works together towards this common goal.

In this episode, we talk about the importance of "onboarding" new clerical staff. Retired Administrative Assistant Sheri Whipple and newly hired Madeline McDonnell talk about how shadowing and overlapping at Cedar Springs High School was beneficial and key in a successful transition for both.

Looking for a unique field trip idea for your students? Listen as Nina chats with Andrea Glynn and Justin Hauser, both principals in L'Anse Creuse Public Schools as they talk about their combined end-of-the-year field trip to Metro Beach with all 1000+ middle school students from both of their buildings!

Brad Bush, Asst. Director for MHSAA, joins the podcast to spread the word about a legacy program that offers some new and exciting features.  Juniors and seniors in you buildings can be trainined to become registered officials and help ref your school's sub-varsity contests.  Learn how the curriculum resources and new, online modules work to help prepare the students and why schools should offer this opportunity.

Listen as Nina interviews Teresa Banish and Emily Spica, clerical staff at Traverse City Central High School about end-of-the-year celebrations. The ladies talk about hoe they plan these events and prepare year-round for culmination ceremonies.

Nina talks with our first Middle-Level Rocket League Esports Champion, East Grand Rapids Middle School about their involvement in the middle-level esports league. Principal, Jeff Dykhouse and coach, Casey Smith, talk about how providing an esports club has created a space for students who may not be involved in other extracurriculars or athletic clubs in school.

Nina talks live from the AP Summit with first-year Assistant Principal, Megan Henry. Megan shares her experience as a new administrator at Troy Athens High School, what she's learned, and what advice she offers to those aspiring to administration in the future.

Grand Haven HS Principal & MASSP Board Member, Tracy Wilson, returns to the podcast to discuss their Parent Learning Walks program which allows parents into their building during the school day for a tour and classroom visits.  The walks have been occuring for years and it not only gives valauable insight to parents as they learn about the school, but creates trust and cultivates meaningful conversation within the community.

In this episode, Tracy Wilson, Grand Haven HS Principal & MASSP Board Member, joins us to discuss the Shadow a Student Program.  Each semester, a group of teachers is selected to shadow a mix of students for the entire school day.  Teachers then debrief at the end of the day to share their takeaways.  Tracy shares how long the program has been running, the benefits it provides to the school culture and the changes it has brought to the school from experiences gained through the lens of a student.

In this podcast, Nina interviews Craig Blower, the new ML Central Board Rep. Listen in as Craig talks to Nina about his tenure as an administrator throughout Michigan. Craig also shares new information with Nina about the growth of MASSP over the years!

Listen to Paula and Sarah, two Anchor Bay Middle-North teachers and student council advisers share their experience in participating in middle-level MASC/MAHS programming.

Nina talks with Jenni Thunberg from Bay City Central about being an AP/AD. Jenni reveals how she's grown to love the meshing of the two roles and previews a breakout session she plans to lead on the same topic: balancing the roles of AD/AP.

In this podcast, Nina talks with Assistant Principals Ben Berger from Traverse City Central and Andy Wares from Traverse City West about being the scheduler AP in their respective buildings. Both preview a breakout session on scheduling that they plan to lead at the '23 AP & Dean's Summit.

For this podcast, Nina has the opportunity to interview new CTE Board of Director, Natalie Davis. Natalie passionately explains why CTE has her heart and why she feels all students can benefit from a CTE experience.