MASSP Podcast

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 an...

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 episode, Nina interviews Trayc Cunningham, secretary at Beecher High School about her experience over the last 28 years as an employee in various roles throughout the district.  Trayc shares how she loves her students, showing them love as a mother away from home, but also how she's able to show them tough love too; while switching hats and shifting to become "Aunty" Trayc.

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 an...

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...

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 t...

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 conver...

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 cultur...

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.

Listen in as Nina interviews Brad Hale, Principal of Brown City Jr./Sr. High School. Brad talks about the community mentality in Brown City (the very city where he grew up) and the initiatives they have implemented to continue to support that environment.

Listen in as East Grand Rapids MS Principal, Jeff Dykhouse, shares how his students, staff, parents and community come together for a massive fundraising event called the Regatta.  Classrooms compete to create handmade, cardboard boats and compete all day long at a local park and lake.  Students learn how to communicate, work as a team and more in this beginning of the year activity.  

In this episode, Nina interviews Traverse City Central High School Assistant Principal and new AP Central representative, Ben Berger. Listen as we get to know Ben better and hear about the great things happening at Traverse City Central High School. Ben talks about the importance of change and how we must always be progressive and forward thinking in the business of education. Ben and Nina realize...

In this episode, Nina interviews Saline High School Principal and new Region 8 representative, Theresa Stager. Listen as we get to know Theresa better and hear about the great things happening at Saline High School. Theresa talks about her non-linear path to becoming a building administrator and how it's never "too late" to take the path towards leadership.

In this episode, we talk to three, long-time administrators who recently have moved to new roles or new districts. We are joined by Theresa Stager, Principal at Saline HS, Brad Robbins, Principal of Croswell-Lexington MS, and Todd Simmons, Principal of Cedar Springs HS.  Topics discussed include what challenges and opportunities occurred as they made job changes, advice for others considering a ch...