a YEAR to REMEMBER

World & National News (since June 2022)

June 24: Roe v. Wade Overturned

July 23: World Health Organization declares monkeypox public health emergency

August 4: U.S. Attorney General announces charges against four officers involved in Breonna Taylor’s death.

August 29: Ukraine launches counteroffensive against Russia as the war continues

September 8: Queen Elizabeth dies at 96

October 27: Elon Musk takes over Twitter

Michigan

November 8, 2022: Blue Wave Democratic election sweep after redistricting and record voter turnout.

For the first time in forty years, Democrats control the Michigan House and Senate and Governor’s office.

Michigan voters approve Proposal 03-2022 with overwhelming margins, establishing reproductive rights for women in Michigan in the wake of the US Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.

November 8: Midterm Elections

January 3: January 6 Attack Probe Disbanded

January 3: Hakim Jefferies becomes first black party leader of the U.S. House of Representatives

February 3: “Spy Balloons” are shot down on this day and subsequent days

February 24: World observes one-year anniversary of Russian invasion of Ukraine

March 14: ChatGPT is launched

For the first time in Michigan history

• Women make up the majority of elected officials in the majority party (Democrats) in both the House and Senate.

• Former educators (in this case, teachers) are the chairs of all four major education committees in Michigan (Education Committee and K-12 Budget Appropriations Subcommittee in both the House and Senate).

FEBRUARY 13, 2023 Michigan State University

On a cold, Monday evening in East Lansing, an armed man entered both Berkey Hall and the Union at MSU where he fired at multiple people, ultimately killing three and injuring five. The MSU shooting put Michigan at the forefront of the student safety discussion again. So far this year, 2023 has seen more mass shootings than any year on record.

Photos, Data & Content Provided by the MASSP staff

Wendy Zdeb

Executive Director

Colin Ripmaster

Deputy Executive Director

Bob Kefgen

Associate Director of Government

Relations

Matt Alley

Associate Director of Student Services

Tom Lietz

Associate Director of Training & Development

Nina Davis

Associate Director of Member Services & Middle Level

Lydia Cadena Chief Communications Officer

MASSP MEMBER TOP PRIORITIES:

• Educator evaluation reform

• Student mental health

• Assessment reform

POSITIVE ACTION:

• Michigan rolls out new financial programs to support new teachers including a scholarship for teacher prep students and a student teaching stipend.

NEW MICHIGAN LAWS:

• Mandatory retention portions of 3rd grade reading law repealed.

• New gun safety laws requiring universal background checks for firearm purchases, mandatory safe storage of firearms, and red-flag laws.

• Right to Work repealed, the first state to do so since the 1950s.

• Prevailing Wage requirements for public sector construction projects reinstated.

• School accountability letter grade system repealed, eliminating duplicate systems.

Ryan Cayce Director of Digital Learning & Resources, Director of Esports

Mike Brewer Director of Business & Operations

Tammy Jackson

Program Manager - Path to Leadership

Angel Brewer

Director of Events & Office Operations

Maggie Helmer

Coordinator of Partnerships & Communications, Board of Directors

Liaison & Assistant Director of Esports

Abby Goosen Communications & Design Manager

Sarah LaLonde

Membership & Billing Specialist

The Premier Education Conference Leaders gather to wrap up, reignite & celebrate

From the time MASSP members checked in at the EdCon registration desk to our closing keynote by Mark Ostach, the buzz at the conference was positive and upbeat. Administrators from every corner of the state descended upon the Grand Traverse Resort fired up to connect in person at EdCon22.

The MASSP Staff worked hard to change up the EdCon format to keep things fresh while maintaining time honored traditions. The event featured concurrent keynotes with specific messaging for Assistant Principals, Middle School Building Leaders and High School/CTE Principals, breakout tracks in these specific areas to create a cohort feel, and a keynote address from Sal Khan live via Zoom. Everyone seemed to have fun with the new EdCon selfie station – hamming it up with colleagues, friends they look forward to seeing each year or family who joined them Up North.

Assistant Principal and Principal of the Year were honored, we had great keynote speakers including our State Superintendent, Dr. Michael Rice, and our practitioner-led breakouts stole the show. The social aspects of EdCon – the family picnic and dueling pianos were super fun once again.

Administrators of the Year

The selfie station proved a winner with hundreds of images captured over the three-day event from morning to night.

At the family picnic, children could have their faces painted with stunning, multi-colored designs.

In addition to learning about legal and legislative updates, conference goers were treated to EdTalks by two recent high school graduates who held their own with discussions about student mental health and recognizing individuals by honoring their names. In addition to breakouts and keynote sessions, MASSP took time to recognize Assistant Principal of the Year, Al Reickard from North Rockford Middle School, and Principal of the Year, Nicole Carter from Novi High School. Both received generous checks from Eidex and bling from Jostens. With four breakout rounds and six keynotes, there was something for everyone.

Ensuring every detail of EdCon22 goes off without a hitch, MASSP Director of Events Angel Brewer confers with Associate Director of Government Relations Bob Kefgen to confirm preparations for the upcoming activities. She makes sure everyone’s experience is the best possible at EdCon.

It isn’t ALL fun and games

With a buffet featuring hot dogs and burgers and all the sides one could want, the Family Picnic provided hours of fun for administrators and their families – a much needed break after a long school year.

Gathering at Albion College for a week of learning, team building and preparing for a school year full of spirit, activities and leadership, hundreds of students made memories last summer at/