From the Executive Director
Team,
Happy month of March to each of you! It is difficult to believe we are well into the month that reminds us that spring is only just around the corner but that winter is not ready to release its grip. It has been an interesting winter to say the least with many of us experiencing multiple delays to our school schedules, forays into virtual learning, and the desire to simply maintain a routine with some semblance of stability and consistency. Thank you as always for being such tremendous sources of calm leadership that your students, teams and communities can look to during times of uncertainty.
A huge thank you to those who helped plan and who attended the Assistant Principal and Aspiring Leader Conference on February 25th at the Maritime Conference Center. This professional growth and networking event was a huge success and we look forward to having the next conference on February 24th, 2026. I am also very excited to report that our first annual Women's Leadership Conference will be happening on March 20th at the Maritime Conference Center. We have closed registration for the event due to unexpected registration numbers but we are looking forward to a tremendous day full of collaboration, networking and collegial growth. Please know how much I appreciate the efforts to promote these conferences which provide such great opportunities to bring us together as leaders. Kudos to you!
As always I welcome your thoughts and ideas about any aspect of how we can better support the work you do. As I am still new to my role as executive director I am spending time listening and assessing where we stand as an organization (I am happy to report we are in great shape but as with anything there is room for us to improve and grow). I have met with our executive officers to discuss next steps regarding our recent survey. Respondents provided some great insights into professional growth needs and desires as well as challenges and opportunities we can take advantage of as we move our organization forward. Your ongoing input is critical to our collective efforts so please never be shy about expressing your views!
Finally, a huge shout out to each of you and the work you do every day to lead and support students and the staffs that serve them. As a part of our advocacy for Senate Bill113/House Bill129 we have spoken at length to legislators about the vital roles you play and the need to have the voice of that role elevated to be a part of discussions and decision making on the State Board. We speak on your behalf in order to build awareness and understanding regarding the demands on you and the critical importance of your leadership. Each of you are greatly valued and highly appreciated!
Take care and have a great month of March and beyond!
Sincerely,
Chris
443-545-9988
Our Assistant Principal and Aspiring Leader Conference on February 25th was a huge success! Many thanks to Dr. Andrae Townsel, Superintendent of Calvert County Public Schools for his energizing keynote. We also had many engaging concurrent sessions as well as a panel discussion featuring four of our assistant principals and a recognition of our Assistant Principals of the Year. Kudos to the planning team who worked hard to put on a terrific professional growth event for all of our participants. We can't wait to see you next year on February 24th, 2026!
We have a group attending the National School Leaders Advocacy Conference (NSLAC) on March 10-12 in Washington, DC. We will be meeting with legislators and learning more about how best to advocate on your behalf. Many thanks to Melissa Shindel, our National Advocacy Coordinator, for her communication and facilitation of the process. I will be attending along with Melissa, Michael Brown, MASSP President, and Kris Hemstetter, MASSP President-Elect.
We also had a group speak, in partnership with MAESP, to the Senate EEE Committee on January 29th on behalf of SB0113. Thank you to Michael Brown and Melissa Shindel for testifying alongside me on behalf of the bill. We have engaged in meetings and writing to various key legislators. We are hopeful our efforts will result in the bill being brought out of committee to a vote. We will continue with e-mail updates and next steps. Thanks for the support and advocacy!
Leadership can feel isolating at times and the power to networking can be rejuvenating! The 2025 UNITED Conference is your chance to do that—join over 4,000 school leaders like you to learn, grow, and find a community of peers who truly understand your challenges.
Co-hosted by NASSP and NAESP, this event will be held July 11–13, 2025, in Seattle. Sessions are tailored to your needs, offering insights on building leadership capacity, school culture, climate and inclusivity, and instructional leadership. You’ll gain practical strategies, engage in discussions on real-world challenges, and leave UNITED with actionable ideas to elevate your role as a school leader.
To register click this link: I’m ready! Let’s do this.
Experience UNITED in 2025!
The UNITED Conference, co-hosted by NASSP and NAESP, brings school leaders together for tailored sessions, networking, and strategies to elevate leadership—making it the must-attend event for principals and assistant principals.
National Association of Secondary School Principals, 1904 Association Drive , Reston, VA 20191
Many thanks to all who supported and participated in the many Polar Bear Plunges that occurred the week of January 27th. I had the pleasure of doing the First Annual Cool Schools Administrators Plunge on the 28th and also plunged with our students on the 29th and 30th as well as the culminating plunge on Saturday, February 1st. What an honor to support such a great cause!
Here is the link for the March MASC Bulletin:
Here is the link for the February MASC Bulletin:
Contact us or visit the MASSP website
Thank you to our MASSP Partners
MASSP/MAESP Joint Partners:
Josten's
Lifetouch
Horace Mann
MASSP Partners:
American College of Education (ACE)
Avalon
EPI
Grand Canyon University
PlayVS
IXL Learning
Maryland Non-Profit Partners:
Arts Education for Maryland Schools (AMES)
Council of Educational, Administrative, Supervisory Organizations of Maryland (CEASOM)
Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC)
Maryland Center for School Safety (MCSS)
