Why MEMSPA?

Why MEMSPA?

Michigan Elementary Middle School Principals Association has been my number one network for sustaining my commitment to education, my staff, and most of all my students.

I first joined the association as a recommendation of one of my education leadership professors over a decade ago. Now even more than ever the liability insurance is crucial to leaders in education. However, the association has given me so much more than a peace of mind.

The answer to Why MEMSPA? might be different for everyone, but I can say without doubt that members number one answer is the support from the MEMSPA office and its members. My MEMSPA colleagues have been the most supportive group of professionals that I could ask for. The support showered over me has taken me from the island of isolation to a community of family and friends. Whatever I have need: encouragement, support, information, guidance, or even a needed fact check or reality call, I have always been able to count on this network of principals from around the state.

In addition to this network of fantastic leaders, the professional learning opportunities are by far the best. Sustained, engaging, research-based, and relational offerings, such as the annual conference, summer institute, workshops, and my favorite--a nine month leadership academy, Leadership Matters--have given me the tools, connections, examples, and accountability needed to advance my building, district, and career.

In addition to the people and the learning, MEMSPA has also given me the opportunity to give back. From involvement at the regional level, my presidency of the state level, and now my national role, I have enjoyed volunteering, presenting, writing, and mentoring others.

Why MEMSPA: to have support, to support others, and to fill my bucket! If you are a member, what's your WHY? If not, what are you looking for? I am sure you will find it with this association.

#PowerUpMMS: Week Two Update after 1:1 Chromebooks

I must say that I am pleasantly surprised at the responsibility that our students have demonstrated since our 1:1 Chromebook deployment. While I was excited for the teaching and learning components of the 1:1, I was nervous about the logistics and responsibility of the students. However, after this full week of using them, the students have surpassed my expectations.

One of the many benefits of 1:1 is supporting a more personalized and differentiated learning environment for our students. In addition, we were also thrilled to be able to enact Daniel Pink's latest research from his new book When which outlines peak performance time for analytical tasks, such as test taking. To be fair and consistent, it would be best for all of our students to be able to test in the morning--the best time (for the majority) to perform at their best on tests. We could never do this without all students having a device. I must say that I was worried about students not bringing devices, or not bringing them charged, but students have not only brought them, they have been managing having them and taking care of them all week.

We are so grateful to have this opportunity for our students. The devices have not replaced the type of learning we do at the middle school, but they are definitely supporting and transforming the learning. Since this was a week of two reduced schedules due to testing, and as an outcome, class time being lost--in some classes more than others, the devices allowed students to work on a variety of activities to stay on task or keep from getting too far behind.

I really look forward to seeing how we, our school, teachers, and students, continue to benefit from this opportunity. I also am appreciative of the patience, hard work, and responsibility of all involved. I want to give a special shout out to our technology department, media center, and office staff for handling so many of the logistics which helped with our first year of deployment.

Teaching in Milan, Michigan: It's Not Just an Art; It's a Passion

I am in awe of the amount of time, care, and passion that #PowerUpMMS educators put into their practice and students. While these examples are in no way a comprehensive list of what our educators do at Milan Middle School, they do paint a picture of these amazing soldiers of learning and character, making the world a better place one child at a time.

Milan educators are constantly thinking about what is best for students. They meet at least weekly to discuss student needs. They collaborate by teams and departments to prepare students by integrating technology, personalize learning, and create ways to engage students. They unite on ways to manage their classroom and unify expectations offering consistency and routine for students. However, they also work in student choice and voice to personalize learning.

Milan teachers deprivatize their practice by opening up their classrooms to each other to learn from and model for each other. They work monthly in departments and as a whole staff to analyze data, explore gaps in subgroups, and strategize on interventions, strategies, and activities to support students and push for growth.

Milan teachers and parapros learn about the whole child and work to understand hardships, celebrate successes, and be a champion to students who need an extra trusted adult in their lives. We greet students with smiles, teach character, show empathy, challenge their thinking, and hold students accountable.

Our Milan students are fortunate to have such amazing people in their lives. The outside perception or public opinion of education is not always kind or appreciative of what our school employees do, but the Milan Community does seem to get it, and for that, we, Milan educators, are very fortunate.

It is not easy being a champion for students. It is time consuming to care for, challenge, and teach 150-200 students a day, but together--from the transportation crew, custodial crew, food service, office staff, counseling staff, teachers, paraeducators, and admin--we strive to empower our students to be the best possible versions of themselves, and we consider ourselves fortunate to be able to do so. Here's to a great new school year at Milan, where teaching is not just an art; it's a passion.