MASSP Podcast

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...

In this episode, Nina interviews Howell High school Principal and new Region 6 representative, Jason Schrock. Listen as we get to know Jason more and hear about the great things happening at Howell High School. Jason references his previous podcast where we discuss Howell's "Senior Survivor" Fundraiser. To hear more about this program, you may listen to the previous podcast here .

In this back to school edition, Nina interviews 30 year veteran clerical staff member, Ms. Denise Sheneman of Sparta Schools.  Denise talks about the lessons she has learned over her long tenure, her favorite parts about working in schools and gives helpful advice to newer clerical members across the state

There's no better way to start the '22-'23 Membership Spotlight series than to highlight the very principal taking over the building where Nina served for nine years in the same capacity. In this interview, Nina chats with none other than Justin Hauser, the new principal of L'Anse Creuse Middle East, where Nina was previously principal before joining the MASSP staff. While using his favorite genre...

Catherine Woolman, Asst. Superintendent of Instruction for Port Huron Area School District, joins the podcast to share her district's approach to year long, new teacher orientation and induction and its impact on retaining staff.  

In this episode, Nina interviews Caledonia High School Assistant Principal and new AP West representative, Danelle Scott. Listen as we get to know Danelle better and hear about the great things happening at Caledonia High School. Danelle references MASSP's Path to Leadership program. To read more about this successful program, click here .

In this episode, Nina reunites with a fellow Macomb County Administrator, who at one point was her daughter's middle school principal! Listen in and meet Chippewa Valley High School principal and new Region 9 representative, Todd Distelrath. Get to know Todd more and hear about the great work he continues to do in Macomb County in this newest podcast episode.

Are you building a social media administrator presence?  If no, why not?  Social Media is a great way to connect to your school constituents and build your "brand".  In this video interview, Nina talks with Mr. Sidney Bailey IV, Assistant Principal of Portage West Middle School, who has become a social media "influencer" in the world of education.  Mr. Bailey describes how he got started on social...

Listen in as Nina interviews participants at EdCon 2022. Hear 4 administrators talk about their excitement being back face to face for the conference, what they've enjoyed most (as well as what their families enjoyed most!), how they plan to implement their learning back at their buildings and why you should be sure to attend EdCon 2023!

In this podcast, Nina talks to North Farmington High School Principal Joe Greene, MASSP's 2020-21 Principal of the Year.  During the interview Joe talks about the experience of being named Principal of the Year, traveling to DC to represent Michigan, the benefits of his MASSP membership and he also gives words of encouragement to fellow educational leaders. 

Listen in as Michigan's 2022 Principal of the Year, Nicole Carter of Novi HS, shares her strategies for reflecting on the school year and using that practice to plan for the future.

In this episode, the team from Howell High School explains how the Senior Survivor event, which raises hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, cultivates a culture of giving back while honoring seniors.

In this episode, Nina talks with Ms. Ebony Carter, Assistant Principal at Dakota High School about school safety protocols pre and post COVID.  Listen as Ms. Carter talks about the challenges they've overcome while trying to secure one of the largest high schools in the state. 

In this episode, Nina talks to two middle level secretaries about their job duties and how those have changed in the last few years.  The clerical staff talk about what keeps them motivated and the positives of their job.

Listen in as new Associate Director of Member Service & Outreach, Nina Davis, interviews attendees from the 2022 AP Summit in Crystal Mountain.

Travis Thomsen (Portage North MS) joins the podcast to discuss compassion fatigue awareness and the impact that this professional learning topic has had on his building staff.

In this episode, Amy Pashak, AP of the Freshman Campus at Howell HS, joined us to share about their new suicide prevention and awareness program called Hope Squads.  This nationally recognized initiative brings together student and teachers entrusted by their peers to train and help support students in need.

Michigan's  2022 Assistant Principal of the Year winner, Al Reickard (North Rockford MS), joins the podcast to share insight, tips and more from his career and experiences as an assistant principal and middle-level leader.

Principal Amy Hendry and Asst. Principal Stacey Ary of Carter Middle School (Warren Consolidated Schools) join the podcast to share their #DoKind initiative that has the entire school and community participating in random acts of kindness.  Listen and learn how they are utilizing social media to engage all stakeholders in this collaborative program to build positive school culture.

JoLynn Clark (Frankenmuth HS), Joe Esper (Traverse City West HS) & Tom Lietz (Utica HS) all join the podcast to share what has and hasn't changed with how their buildings are handling COVID-19 protocols at the start of the 2021 school year.  Mask mandates vs recommendations, contact tracing, quarantine protocols and more are all covered and their particular impact on HS students.

In this episode we welcome Regional Teacher of the Year and Khan Academy Student Ambassador, Erin Carlson of Sandusky Jr/Sr HS, to share insight about teaching in 2021.  We discuss what teacher's need, want administrators to know, and hidden gems that came from teaching and learning during the pandemic.

MASSP is joined by MCAN's Autumn Kearney, Strategy Manager for High School Innovation, to share details about their new grant programs.  This is a can't miss opportunity that will connect high schools with strategic partnerships, resources and financial awards from MCAN.