MASSP MEMO

This one day conference will inspire and motivate assistant principals across the state. Evaluations from this conference, pre-COVID, were excellent. The conference was so good that people asked us to host a two day conference! Let us resume the tradition of bringing assistant principals together for just ONE day of networking and collaboration. Register now at www.mdmassp.org. You can also book at hotel room at the Maritime Conference Center at a conference rate. See below for details!

Dear MASSP Members,

As we enter the holiday season, I hope you are doing well and finding ways to maintain work-life balance. Your students and staff are hopefully settled into their routines and schedule. From what I can tell, based on my member conversations, this school year is going well. Everyone was ready to return to in-person schooling, engage in school activities, and participate in senior and other school traditions. FaceBook, Twitter, and Instagram posts indicate that Homecoming activities went well and attendees had a great time socializing once again. I know that school administrators throughout Maryland are enjoying the student activities, community functions, and networking with colleagues.

Being part of a community is empowering and can be exhilarating. MASSP community members were able to collaborate and network at the 2022 Joint MAESP/MASSP Annual School Leaders Conference in Towson. Keynote speakers Jessica Cabeen, Brit Kirwan, and Brian Heat inspired and energized the crowd while breakout session presenters shared important knowledge and information with colleagues. Conference sponsors Edmentum, Lifetouch, and Equitable made the conference possible by subsidizing the costs and providing receptions for attendees. Additionally, the 47 vendors added a nice touch and offered numerous resources for school leaders. We are now looking forward to the Joint MAESP/MASSP Assistant Principals' Conference on November 9th at the Maritime Conference Center in Linthicum. I encourage all assistant principals to attend this one day conference and principals to send their APs to the conference. It will be a worthwhile, informative, and interesting day. See your MASSP emails for more detailed information with keynote and breakout session titles and descriptions.

Prior the the Annual Conference, the MASSP Board of Directors met in-person for the first time since COVID. It was great to see everyone and meet people we have only seen on Zoom for the last 2.5 years. Thank you to all of the board members who attended the meeting in person or on Zoom. It was a great way to begin the 2022-2023 MASSP year! The next MASSP executive board meeting will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at the Special Olympics of Maryland Offices in Baltimore. As a MASSP partner, Special Olympics of Maryland graciously offered their hybrid meeting space to us for the November and June meetings. We are excited to utilize current technology and engage in a truly hybrid meeting. This will be a fantastic experience and allow board members from the eastern shore, southern Maryland and western Maryland to participate in the meeting on a platform other than Zoom. Thank you to Melissa Kelly of Maryland Special Olympics for this wonderful opportunity! Keep an eye out for e-mails that I send to MASSP members with information about special olympics.

MASSP is always searching for opportunities to develop and grow future school leaders. The Public School Superintendents' Association of Maryland (PSSAM) convened a group of aspiring superintendents for an Academy this year. To that end, MAESP and MASSP have partnered with the same organization, Region 4 Comprehensive Center Network, to provide two additional academies. The Next Level Maryland Leadership: Assistant Principal and Principal Academies will open for applications very soon. A cohort of 25 participants will be selected for each academy. This four month program, offering CPD credits, will provide aspiring assistant principals and principals with current knowledge, experiential learning, and growth opportunities. Be on the lookout for MASSP emails concerning these new programs.

While professional growth is the mainstay of MASSP, we also spend time advocating for school leaders in Maryland. Before the legislative session begins, Terry Ball (MAESP) and I will work with legislators on a bill that places a Maryland school leader on the State Board of Education. As we begin the lengthy process of securing a position on the State Board, we want to encourage MASSP members to tap their colleagues for membership in our organization. With the help of existing and new members, MASSP will maintain a loud and powerful voice throughout the Blueprint implementation, at Maryland State Board of Education meetings, and at national leadership conferences.

The MASSP officers, board members, and I are here to serve you. We hope to see some of you at the Assistant Principals Conference on November 9th, at the national leadership network meetings hosted by NASSP, and at the National Principals Conference in July, 2023.

Stay well and focus on your health so you can be there for all who need you. In this National Principals Month, I personally thank you for being a hero to so many children, staff members, and families who need you. The hours you give, the compassion you exude, and the flexibility you show each and every day is truly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Dr. Addie Kaufman, Executive Director.

Promoting Excellence in School Leadership Through Service in the areas of advocacy, communication, and professional development.

Dear Colleagues,

The first quarter of the school year is almost done and I hope that like me you've had a much more "normal" school year. It's been incredibly exciting to think about teaching and learning in my building and go back to norms for school improvement that had been pushed aside during the worst years of Covid. My leadership team was able to conduct over 100 informal observations with feedback during the months of September and October.

There have been many bright moments at my school so far this school year, but one of the highlights of my school year was the opportunity to engage with colleagues at the MASSP Annual Conference. This year for the first time since Covid shut down the world we were able to meet in-person for a highly engaging and motivational conference with our colleagues.

Please see some images from highlights of the conference:

• MASSP Executive Board Meeting
• Picture with Brian Heat, motivational speaker, who closed out our session on Saturday
• Students from Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC) who shared their perspectives on the mental health needs of students in schools
• Picture with Jessica Cabeen, our Keynote speaker on Friday (Contributing Author of Lead Like a Pirate, amongst other books)
• Celebrations for James Allrich, Principal of the Year Awardee
• General session with Dr. Kirwan related to the implementation of the Maryland Blueprint

The learning and engagement with my colleagues provided me with many ideas to bring back to my school for my students and staff, but most importantly I left the conference feeling a renewed focus and commitment to my work as an educational leader.

Dr. Afie Mirshah-Nayar

Principal, Paint Branch High School

President, MASSP

As we prepare for the start of the busy holiday season, it's critical that as leaders we continue to place a focus on our own self-care.

Wheel of Life Assessment

Please consider taking 1-2 minutes to complete this assessment. For each of 10 life categories you will have the chance to rate your current state of being on a scale from 1-10.

This tool is something you should consider sharing with your leadership teams and staff.

The goal is to reflect on these categories (Heath, Career, Love, Spirituality, Family, Money, Fun, and Friends) and determine if there are any areas that are being neglected.

What is the Wheel of Life?

The Wheel of Life is a simple but powerful tool that helps you visualize all the important areas of your life at once. It is often used by life coaches and career coaches to give their clients a "bird's eye" view of their lives. By looking at a visual representation of all the areas of your life at once, the wheel helps you to better understand which of your life areas are flourishing and which ones need the most work.

How do I use the Wheel of Life?

The online assessment tool is simple to use. Just click the button to start your wheel and the interactive system will guide you through the process of rating each area of your life, one at a time. When you are done, you can print your wheel, save it as a PDF, or share it with your friends on Facebook and other social media.

How long does it take to fill out my wheel?

The assessment can usually be filled out in less than a minute.

How much does it cost?

Our wheel of life is 100% free. No strings attached, and no catch!

Greetings MASSP!

I hope all of you are having a very blessed start to the school year. We are now in the thick of our school year, and if you are like me, tired is an understatement. In the role of President-Elect, I have focused on supporting our current President, Dr. Mirshah and the mission to create an environment at MASSP where we are helping to develop, empower, and connect our amazing school leaders. We recently had an amazing annual conference in Baltimore; it was so much fun connecting and learning from all of you. When you are around like-minded individuals, you can’t help but feel rejuvenated and ready for any new challenges that may come. Personally, my plight has been centered on immersing myself in professional growth opportunities that will deepen my knowledge of leadership, so when the time comes for me to assume the role of President, I will be prepared and ready. I have taken on the challenge of taking extra coursework through AASA in their Aspiring Superintendent Academy Hybrid model. This will allow me to see leadership through a different lens, which I feel is paramount when it comes to understanding education at its highest levels in our state of Maryland. I am excited to connect with educators from all of the country to learn about their struggles, but also gather vital information about equity and excellence in education.

Moving forward, I would like to encourage all of you to embrace social media as a means to stay connected and collaborate with each other. Currently, MASSP has a Twitter page, @mdmassp, where you will find important information from members about what is going on around the state. Very soon, we will be starting in-depth live chats called, “Spaces” so that we can discuss topics that have had an impact on our work, while also learning from each other to improve performance. You can also find us on Facebook, and soon to be Instagram! Please follow us if you haven’t already done so. We would love to stay connected with you and hear about all of the amazing things you all are doing at your schools.

Thank you all for everything you do daily to make school an enjoyable experience for our students in the state of Maryland. Without you, we cannot succeed!

Michael Brown, MASSP Treasurer

Principal, Winters Mill High School

The following information was shared at the September 29, 2022 Board Meeting. The data reflects the current financial status of the organization as of September 19, 2022.

Membership – After a decline in membership due to COVID, MASSP is vigorously encouraging members to rejoin and has grown membership in several districts including Howard and Montgomery counties. As a result of membership efforts, MASSP welcomed over 65 first-time members and renewed over 150 since July 1, 2022. Please encourage your colleagues to join MASSP/NASSP this year. Increased membership offers administrators a greater legislative voice and meaningful professional learning opportunities. Payroll deduction is a simple and painless way to maintain membership. If your school district does not offer payroll deduction, and you are interested, please contact Ms. Ronnie Bohn at ronniebohn@mdmassp.org for information on how to start payroll deduction.

Conference - By all accounts, the joint MAESP/MASSP conference was a success! MASSP co-chairs and officers were thrilled to welcome members and guests and were honored to learn with and from such amazing presenters. Conference income is still being determined; however, our organization will remain solvent regardless of the conference expenses.. MASSP thanks the vendors and sponsors for their conference support, and you are encouraged to contact any of the vendors for information, resources, and services.

Overall Finances - Although conference expenses and income will not be fully determined until after the Assistant Principals’ Conference on November 9th, MASSP is financially healthy and will be able to meet budgetary expenses for the 2022-3023 year.

Marc Cohen, MASSP Treasurer

Principal, Seneca Valley High School

Thanks to everyone who completed the 2-minute “Action Alert” last month! Please don’t ignore these - it really takes our collective voice to make a difference. A simple “click” along with filling in a few fields is all it takes to send a message to Congress, advocating for a variety of issues impacting our students and our schools. Keep an eye out for the subject, “We need you! 30 Seconds to Take Action!” and you’ll know it’s time to complete the Action Alert. Thank you for your advocacy!

Speaking of advocacy, did you know that NASSP has a Policy and Advocacy Center that you can visit to keep abreast of the top issues in education? While there you can link out to sites that include NASSP Position Statements, events, the latest advocacy news, and more. If you haven’t visited the site, I encourage you to do so.

Finally, in honor of National Principals Month, members of NASSP, along with members of NAESP and AFSA, were part of a panel to discuss the nation’s educator shortage. Joining the panel were Congressman Jamie Raskin, and the Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development at the U.S. Department of Education, Roberto Rodríguez.

Click here for more information.

I hope everyone has a great close to the first quarter!

Melissa Shindel

NASSP State Coordinator for Maryland

Journalism Advisers’ Day on Saturday, Nov. 5 at University of Maryland

The Maryland-D.C. Scholastic Press Association has planned an excellent training opportunity for those serving as publication advisers on high school yearbooks, newspapers and TV/radio. The 2022 Advisers’ Day workshop will take place on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., at the University of Maryland’s College of Journalism.

Advisers can choose from among an array of topical sessions, all led by journalism professionals or veteran advisers, dealing with expanding yearbook coverage, digital design, photojournalism, audience engagement, audio and podcast reporting and story structures in news and feature writing. The $10 registration covers morning coffee, a boxed lunch and a copy of a useful book for scholastic publication advisers.

Registration deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 25. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/advisers-day-2022-tickets-421917274927. Contact Brian Shane at bwshane@worcesterk12.org for more information.

Want to beat burnout and exhaustion—and make well-being a realistic priority for yourself, your team, and your organization? We’re here to help you prepare for the “busy-ness” of the holidays and be in the right frame of mind to help you, your team, and your organization thrive in 2023.

Building Professional Well-Being Seminar

November 9, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

We are living in a time when work-life rhythm is up for consideration. If it feels like your organization is still grappling with the challenges and stresses of the past few years, you are not alone. In fact, well-being in the workplace ranks at the top of the list when we talk to area leaders and professionals about the support our community needs the most.

We hear about professionals who numb the stress of their busy days with Netflix binges, social media scrolling, and a glass of wine at the ready. We hear about leaders who can’t retain good employees and, for those who stay, fear for their mental and physical health.

It’s time to bring well-being back into your own life and your organization in a way that feels like an energizing pursuit, not just another obligation or initiative…in a way that acknowledges one solution does not fit all.

This session is designed for leaders at any level, as well as professionals who have influence over corporate well-being strategies, who are interested in learning how to enhance their own well-being and bring realistic, meaningful strategies to their teams and organizations in ways that promote trust, retention, effectiveness, and satisfaction.

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

CGMD22 and Learning ForwardMD are excited to announce that registration for our Pre-Conference is now Open!

Date: Thursday, November 17th, 2022

Time: 11:30am-3:30pm

Location: Ocean City Convention Center, Ocean City, MD

Cost: $100.00 per person

Click here to Register!

If you are interested in hearing any of these podcasts, please feel free to contact Addie at akaufman@mdmassp.org.

Principals as Co-Authors of Their Own Learning:

Meredith Honig,

Professor of Education Policy, Organizations, & Leadership and Director of the District Leadership Design Lab, University of Washington

Principals as Creators of a Culture of Collaboration

Mike Copland,

Deputy Superintendent, Bellingham Public Schools

Permission to Dream and Innovate

Dave Schuler

Superintendent, District 214, Illinois

Tapping JOY to Build Principal Skills

Avis Williams

Superintendent, New Orleans Public Schools, Louisiana

Although this is short notice, if you are interested in attending this conference, contact Addie Kaufman at akaufman@mdmassp.org.

In partnering with MSDE, educational leaders, local school districts, and vendors, MAG promises to provide professional development sessions on a wide variety of educational topics facing public schools as we move to implement the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future! Now, more than ever is the time to be focused on student achievement and measures of academic success!

Back by popular demand is our second offering of “The Success Criteria Playbook.” This professional learning will kick off on Wednesday with four hours of in-person learning and will continue throughout the 2022-2023 school year with monthly virtual sessions ending in June. Registration for this pathway includes the textbook, The Success Criteria Playbook, and A Hands-On Guide to Making Learning Visible and Measurable. In addition to the one MSDE professional development credit that all conference attendees receive for attending MAG, an additional 2 credits can be earned for attending this MSDE credit approved training that focuses on the formative assessment process.

A second professional learning opportunity will also occur on Wednesday, with four hours of in-person learning during that will conclude on Wednesday. This course in “Assessment Literacy” will focus on what assessment literate teachers should value, know, & do in the classroom. Topics will include a balanced assessment system, the role and purpose of assessment, and how to better use student assessment to improve student learning and achievement. In addition to the one MSDE professional development credit all conference attendees receive for attending MAG, an additional 1 credit can be earned for attending this MSDE credit approved training that focuses on the blending learning process.

Both professional learning opportunities occur between 1:00 and 5:30 on Wednesday, November 16th. You may choose one pre-session opportunity. More information on these two learning opportunities will be posted soon.

What can MAG offer?

• The MAG conference continues to provide timely and meaningful information and allows participants, MSDE staff, and vendors to engage in lively and informative discussions. It’s time to reconnect, network, and learn with your colleagues.
• Earn up to 3 CPD Credits
• Two (and maybe 3) keynote sessions
• Over 10 Maryland State Department of Education presentations
• Five robust meals including our signature seafood dinner
• Vendor displays and exhibits including two social networking events
• Stay, learn, and network without having to leave the resort

Register Now (https://magonline.net/educational-conference.html)

https://magonline.net/

Below is an image of the 5 pillars that are a part of Maryland's Blueprint as secondary leaders our work is embedded in all but one of the pillars (Early Childhood Education). The Executive Board at MASSP has been working to understand and be a voice for our colleagues as implementation moves forward. MABE put together a great timeline (see below) that shows how quickly decisions are being made. Our organization is dedicated to representing you and advocating for the voices and perspectives of school leaders to be a part of the process.

Save the Date for Ignite 2023: NASSP School Leader Conference!

These past few years have been marked by radical change—to the principalship, to the education landscape, and most importantly, to you and your students’ needs. The job of being a school leader has changed—and so has our conference. Mark your calendars now and look for the registration information coming soon.

Go to www.nassp.org to join the Leadership Networks

On Tuesday, September 27 the Maryland State Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting.

Highlights include presentations and discussion on the following:

• Public Comment
• Personnel Actions and Budget Adjustments, August 2022
• Stakeholder Engagement Session: Nonpublic Schools
• Blueprint Deep Dive: Maryland Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports
• Data Deep Dive: Students with Disabilities
• School Logistics and Transmission Rates Related to COVID-19 Update
• Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR): Attendance; Administration of Home and Hospital Teaching for Students; Child Care Centers and Large Family Child Care; Military-Connected Students
• Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Estimates and Requests

Read the Complete Meeting Recap

On Tuesday, August 23rd the Maryland State Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting.

Highlights include presentations and discussion on the following:

• Personnel Actions; Budget Adjustments, July 2022
• Oral Arguments: Mamie Benjamin v. Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners
• Data Deep Dive: Students Attending Alternative High Schools
• Standard Setting Progress, State Assessment Overview & Update for Spring 2022 Results
• Blueprint Deep Dive: College and Career Readiness Pathways -- Apprenticeships
• School Logistics and Transmission Rates Related to COVID-19 Update
• Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR): 13A.15 Family Child Care
• Additional Updates/Comments, Roundtable Meetings, October State Board Meeting

Read the Complete Meeting Recap

Addie Kaufman, Executive Director

10031 Old Ocean City Boulevard, Suite 209

Berlin, Maryland 21811

443-545-9988

www.mdmassp.org

Below you will find the list of MASSP Officers and school district representatives. We sometimes lose board members to promotions or transfers to elementary; therefore, we have a few vacancies. Some districts choose to have co-representatives, which is just fine! If you would like to represent your county or private/independent schools, individually or with a colleague, please contact me at akaufman@mdmassp.org. We would love to have all school districts and independent schools represented on the MASSP Board of Directors.

Officers:

President: Dr. Afie Mirshah-Nayar, Paint Branch H.S. (Montgomery)

President Elect: Mr. Michael C. Brown, Winters Mill H.S. (Carroll)

Past President: Dr. Rob Willoughby, Human Resources (Caroline)

Treasurer: Dr. Marc Cohen, Seneca Valley H.S. (Montgomery)

Secretary: Dr. Debbie O'Byrne, Patapsco M.S. (Howard)

NASSP State Coordinator: Ms. Melissa Shindel, Glenwood M.S. (Howard)

Board Members:

Allegany - Charles Moran, Assistant Principal, Allegany High School

Anne Arundel - Linda Chandler, Principal, Old Mill Middle South

Baltimore City - Shaun Somerville, Principal, Career Vocational Technical HS & Stephanie Farmer, Principal, Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy

Baltimore County - Kalisha Miller, Principal, Pikesville MS & Monica Sample, Principal ,

Overlea HS

Calvert - Michelle Bell, Assistant Principal, Patuxent HS

Caroline - Rob Willoughby, Human Resources, Caroline County

Carroll - Wendy Garvin, Assistant Principal, Winters Mill HS

Cecil - Gina Pucci, Assistant Principal, Elkton MS

Charles - Doug Dolan, Principal, LaPlata HS

Dorchester - David Stofa, Principal, North Dorchester HS

Frederick - Donna Clabaugh, Principal, Urbana HS

Garrett - Michelle Harman, Assistant Principal, Northern Garrett HS

Harford - Lamark Holley, Assistant Principal, South Hampton MS & Erin O'Hara, Assistant Principal, Aberdeen MS

Howard - Robert Motley, Principal, Atholton HS

Kent - Kris Hemstetter, Principal, Kent County HS

Montgomery - Jewel Sanders, Principal, Rosa Parks MS

Prince George's - Regena Williams, Principal, Northwestern HS

Queen Anne - Lois McCoy, Principal, Matapeake MS

St. Mary's - Debbie Dennie , Principal, Leonardtown MS

Somerset - Corey Ballard, Principal, Somerset Intermediate School

Talbot - Sherry Spurry, Principal, Easton HS

Washington - Amanda Mulledy, Principal, Hancock Middle Senior HS

Wicomico - Angela Kerrick, Assistant Principal, Pittsville MS

Worcester - Jenifer Rayne, Principal, Pocomoke HS

Higher Education - Dr. Gina Massella, Professor, Loyola University

Private/Parochial/Independent Schools: Angela Macomber, MS Director,

The Bryn Mawr School

Organizational Representatives:

Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC): Ms. Debbie Dennie, St. Mary's County

Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) Representative: Patrick Saunderson, Director Central Office Administration, Howard County

Maryland State Board of Education: Dr. Vermelle Greene & Dr. Joan Mele-McCarthy

Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Representative: Lori Ellis, Coordinator, Leadership Development

National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Past Presidents:

Mr. Robert Motley, Atholton HS, Howard County

Dr. Christine Handy, MCAAP / MCBOA President

Mr. William Cecil Short, Charles County & Prince George's County

MASSP thanks all of the MASSP officers, board members, and organizational representatives who volunteer their time to ensure that all members receive current information, quality resources, professional development, networking opportunities, and resources. They also work behind the scenes to advocate for school leaders! Our voices must be heard!

MASSP is fortunate to work with the following partners throughout the year:

MASSP/MAESP Joint Partners:

Platinum - EDMENTUM

Bronze - LEXIA LEARNING & VIRCO

MASSP Partners:

Platinum - Equitable, Jostens & Lifetouch

Silver - Achieve 3000/McGraw Hill, EPI, Math Thru Music & Pathways to Empower

Bronze - ACE, FEV Tutor, & Horace Mann