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Aaron Romoslawski, Director of AI Strategy and Instructional Innovation at Forest Hills Public Schools, joins the podcast to discuss how AI in education has evolved since 2023 and what districts are learning along the way. The conversation explores when AI can strengthen teaching and learning, when it may be better to leave it out, how schools can support both early adopters and more hesitant staff, and why student learning should remain the focus behind every technology decision. Aaron also shares examples from across grade levels and offers insight into how districts can approach AI with greater purpose and clarity.

Dr. Theresa Stager joins the podcast to share what her doctoral research revealed about the power of effective PLCs. The conversation explores how meaningful collaboration can strengthen collective efficacy, improve professional learning and lead to deeper conversations about student learning. Theresa also shares practical lessons on building trust, structuring PLC time, avoiding compliance-driven practices and how principals can create the conditions for teachers to learn from one another.

In this episode, we welcome back MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl to reflect on the close of the winter sports season and the transition into spring athletics across Michigan. Mark shares highlights from the winter season, previews the debut of boys volleyball as a new MHSAA tournament sport, and provides helpful context around recent headlines—including the expansion of personal branding opportunities for high school athletes and ongoing conversations about separating public and private schools in postseason play. The conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how decisions are made within the MHSAA while reinforcing the importance of maintaining the focus on the "student-athlete" and the role athletics play in connecting schools and communities.

In this episode, we are joined by Kim Urbanski of Godwin Heights Middle School to discuss their innovative "Zero Hour" model, a twice-monthly 70-minute enrichment block built into the school day to increase joy, relevance, and student voice. Kim shares the why behind the program, how they adjusted the master schedule, built staff buy-in through shared leadership, and evolved the model to give students more choice. They also discuss early impact on attendance, engagement, and classroom culture.

In this episode, students take the lead in an honest conversation about how AI is actually being used in schools today—from tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to real classroom expectations that range from full bans to thoughtful integration. Students share how they use AI for everything from emails and test prep to college applications and creative projects, while also unpacking the tension between "getting work done" and truly learning. The discussion surfaces both the promise and the challenges of AI in education, ultimately offering a clear message for educators: student voice matters, guidance matters, and AI—when used intentionally—can be a powerful tool for personalization, feedback, and deeper learning rather than a shortcut to avoid it.

In this episode, Jennifer McFarlane shares the story behind Romeo High School's academy model and how it has evolved to create more personalized, student-centered learning experiences. She walks listeners through how the model began in 2015–16, expanded across grade levels, and now uses intentional structures like card sorts, small learning communities, and teacher teams to support students in exploring and committing to CTE pathways. The conversation highlights measurable outcomes such as improved graduation rates and reduced math failures, while also surfacing key lessons around teacher collaboration, stakeholder involvement, and the importance of a clear "North Star" when redesigning the high school experience.

As the fall season wraps up and winter sports begin, MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl joins us to share updates from across Michigan athletics. We discuss the organized chaos of overlapping seasons, what's new for winter competition, and continued efforts to improve sportsmanship for players, coaches, and fans alike. Mark also reflects on participation trends, including post-pandemic recovery and the role school leaders play in shaping a positive athletic experience for all students.

In this episode, we sit down with Portage West Middle School Principal Jason Messenger and Assistant Principal Sidney Bailey IV to explore how their "Risky Words" initiative is reshaping school culture. What started as a response to rising reports of offensive language has grown into a proactive, schoolwide effort to teach empathy, kindness, and accountability. Hear how student voice and data guided their journey, what they've learned along the way, and how any school can take similar steps to create a more inclusive and respectful environment.

In this episode, Monte Kelly, Principal of Fruitport Middle School, explores Covey's 4 Cores of Credibility—integrity, intent, capabilities, and results—and how they shape leadership in schools. Monte shares stories of building consistency between words and actions, aligning intent with transparency, and developing the capacity of staff to lead with confidence. He highlights the importance of results, not only as evidence of credibility but as the fuel that sustains trust with students, parents, and communities. His reflections bring Covey's framework to life, showing that credibility is the foundation for trust at every level of school leadership.

In this episode, Josh Wrinkle, Principal of Rochester High School, unpacks Covey's First Wave: Self Trust and the critical role credibility plays in leadership. Drawing from his journey as a teacher, assistant principal, and now principal, Josh reflects on how integrity, consistency, and follow-through earn the trust of staff, parents, and students. He discusses the humbling process of self-assessment, the challenge of balancing personal commitments with professional demands, and how leaders can restore credibility when they misstep. Josh's perspective highlights Covey's message that self-trust is the foundation for every other level of trust—and that a leader's character and competence set the pace for an entire school community.

In this episode, Christian Manley, Principal of the Battle Creek STEM Innovation Center, helps us dive into Covey's reminder that "you can do something about this." Trust isn't out of our control—it begins with self-trust rooted in both character and competence. Christian shares her journey as a teacher and leader, offering powerful examples of stewardship, empowerment, and creating a culture where teachers feel trusted to lead learning. She reflects on how high-trust leadership reduces costs, speeds up progress, and frees principals from micromanaging while building ownership among staff. Her stories bring Covey's principle to life, showing that trust is not just a value but a skill leaders can model and grow in themselves and others.

In our kickoff episode, Dave Myron, Principal of Perry Jr/Sr High School, helps us unpack Covey's idea of trust as "the one thing that changes everything." With more than two decades in education, Dave reflects on how credibility, consistency, and follow-through shape the culture of a school and accelerate progress. He shares candid insights from leading through innovation—like piloting Khan Academy programs—and explains why trust is essential for bringing teachers, parents, and students on board. From addressing the broader "crisis of trust" in society to fostering relationships at the classroom and community level, Dave illustrates how high-trust leadership makes change possible and speeds up results.

In this episode, we sit down with Larry Wyn from CS for Michigan to break down the key requirements of House Bill 5649, discuss staffing and training solutions, explore budget-friendly curriculum options, and highlight best practices. If you're an administrator looking for practical steps to ensure compliance and create meaningful computer science opportunities for students, this conversation is a must-listen!

Mark Uyl, Executive Director of the Michigan High School Athletic Association, joins once again to discuss how the winter sports season has been shaping up, what's ahead for spring sports, and the process of sanctioning boys volleyball and girls field hockey as official MHSAA sports.  We also talk about the growing trend of multi-sport athletes and what the future holds for high school athletics in Michigan.

This episode of The MASSP Podcast features a conversation with Aaron Baughman, formerly of Northville Schools and now with Michigan Virtual, on the impact of AI in education. The discussion covers Northville's success in AI integration, common challenges schools face, and standout districts leading the way. Aaron also shares key mistakes to avoid, best practices for getting started, and insights on the future of AI in Michigan schools.