School safety is a crucial topic that requires our constant attention to enable proactive measures against violence. In this episode, we welcome back Kim Root, Manager of the Office of School Safety, to discuss the current state of school safety and the valuable resources her department provides to school districts.…

As it's an election year, will all of your seats be filled? Join Executive Director Don Wotruba and Assistant Director of Leadership Development Debbie Stair as they discuss the current state of boards of education in Michigan and why it's crucial to bring civic-minded individuals to the table.By Michigan Association of School Boards

Join our Executive Director, Don Wotruba as he talks to Venessa Keesler, self-proclaimed data nerd and President and CEO of Launch Michigan, about the ways data, policy and advocacy can help Michigan students succeed.By Michigan Association of School Boards

Learn more about the goals of the new MiLEAP Department with Acting Director Michelle Richard.By Michigan Association of School Boards

In this episode, Rick Dernberger, who serves on the MASB Board of Directors, Ottawa ISD board, and Zeeland Public Schools board, takes on the role of interviewer, putting MASB Executive Director Don Wotruba, CAE, in the guest seat. They discuss the various services and benefits offered by MASB, the importance of ongoing education for board members,…

Join us for a discussion on the evolving landscape of special education with Abby Cypher, the Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education. We will cover topics such as funding changes and their impacts on both special and general education budgets, the role of paraeducators, and training programs.…

In this episode, we welcome Cedar Springs Superintendent Scott Smith along with high school students Evan Mattson and Ian VanderLugt. They provide an inside look at their unique podcast and video gaming collaboration, which bridges the gap between students and administration. We also explore the impact of social media and content creation on today'…

Discover the crucial role that national organizations play in shaping public education. In this episode, we're joined by Don Hubler, who shares his journey from serving on a local school board to being a member of the Macomb ISD board, MASB Board of Directors, and president-elect of the National School Boards Association.…

Join Executive Director Don Wotruba, CAE, as he addresses insightful questions on a range of topics, including the MASB Board of Directors nomination process, the protocol for hiring superintendents, and more.By Michigan Association of School Boards

We sit down with Legal Counsel and Director of Labor Relations/Policy Brad Banasik, J.D. to talk about the changes happening to labor relations and what you can expect this bargaining season.By Michigan Association of School Boards

With a new calendar year underway, we look ahead to what 2024 may bring for Michigan public education. Joining us are Executive Directors Tina Kerr, Ph.D. from the Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators, Robert Dwan, CFO, SFO from Michigan School Business Officials and Wendy Zdeb from the Michigan Association of Secondary School P…

Join Don as he sits down with the 2024 Michigan Superintendent of the Year, Dr. Jeffrey Collier from Saginaw ISD to discuss how it feels to be the first ISD superintendent to receive this award and about the important services and support ISDs can provide to their communities.By Michigan Association of School Boards

In this episode, join Executive Director Don Wotruba, as he engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Jamey Fitzpatrick, President and CEO of Michigan Virtual, and Ken Dirkin, their Senior Director of MVLRI. Together, they delve into the implications of AI on public schools and student education. The conversation unravels the potential shifts,…

Join us in this insightful episode as we sit down with the 2023-24 Michigan Teacher of the Year, Candice Jackson to discuss the crucial role of involving parents in their children's education and gain a firsthand perspective on the experiences of a minority teacher in the state.By Michigan Association of School Boards

Take a listen to what you can expect at ALC 2023 when Executive Director Don Wotruba sits down with keynote speakers Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski. They talk about their book, When You Wonder, You’re Learning, and how the lessons from Mister Rogers are still valid today. You can also listen to their own podcast, Remaking Tomorrow, about engaging an…

Join Executive Director Don Wotruba, CAE as he speaks with the superintendent of Kent ISD Ron Koehler along with their Director of Safety and Security Sean Burns about the importance of planning ahead and sharing resources to keep our schools safe.By Michigan Association of School Boards

Listen as MASB Executive Director Don Wotruba, CAE talks to Kevin Stotts, President of Talent First about how they are encouraging communities to work collectively on building literacy and not leaving it all on the shoulders of educators.By Michigan Association of School Boards

Join MASB Executive Director Don Wotruba CAE as he speaks to new Michigan School Business Officials Executive Director Bob Dwan CFO SFO about the importance of school business offices and how MSBO works to support them.By Michigan Association of School Boards

Join Don to learn more about our 2023-2024 MASB Board of Directors President Kathleen Moore.By Michigan Association of School Boards

Join MASB Executive Director Don Wotruba as he talks with Assistant Director of Leadership Development Debbie Stair about how boards are more effective when they ask good questions, work towards their common goals and learn together.By Michigan Association of School Boards

When students don't feel safe in their environment, it can impact their mental health, which in turn impacts their learning. In this episode, we speak with Brooke Davis, LMSW, Director of Diversity, Equity and Mental Health Services at Kenowa Hills Public Schools. We discuss the importance of mental health support for students and what board member…

Continuity, leadership and the way boards and superintendents handle turnover are important to high student achievement. Join Don and special guests Director of Leadership Development and Executive Search Services Greg Sieszputowski, M.Ed. and Assistant Director of Executive Search Services Jay Bennett, M.Ed. to talk about these topics and more, as…

How can school districts model appropriate use of AI technologies for their students? Dr. Don Killingbeck of Hemlock Public Schools joins the podcast to talk about how his district uses artificial intelligence tools.By Michigan Association of School Boards

How can school districts support students and address growing mental health concerns? In this episode, Managing Director of Strategic Alliances for TRAILS Lauren Kazee joins us to discuss programs and solutions districts can implement to “Transform Research Into Action to Improve the Lives of Students.”…

Principal Tony Koski is passionate about celebrating the students, staff, and parents of Northville High School. Join us as we learn more about the 2023 Principal of the Year.By Michigan Association of School Boards

In the midst of high-polarization and politicization, it’s become more important than ever to create space for civil discourse. What does that really mean? This episode explores how to engage others in constructive ways that don’t require consensus but openness and mutual respect. Greg Warsen, Padnos/Sarosik Endowed Professor of Civil Discourse at …

Being a successful school board member takes a wide range of skills and understanding. To better support board members, MASB offers a number of classes that focus on the most essential information and practices for governing with excellence. In this episode, we talk with MASB’s own Certification Manager and Instructional Designer, Amy Rucker about …

The Michigan Legislature has a number of public education bills being acted on and considered. Hear from Sen. Dayna Polehanki about those that could most-greatly impact Michigan school districts.By Michigan Association of School Boards

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer presented her 2023-2024 budget to the Legislature on Feb. 8, 2023. Beth Bullion, M.P.A., Director for the Office of Education for the State Budget Office and Stephanie O'Dea, M.P.A., K-12 Education Policy Advisor for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer join us to discuss some highlights of the proposed budget and how it supports an equitabl…

Michigan schools aren’t one-size-fits-all, and that means that it takes a team of advocates to represent their voices and needs. It’s no wonder that there are numerous organizations centered around serving and advocating for their member districts. In this episode, Executive Director of the Michigan Alliance for Student Opportunity, Peter Spadafore…

Building and strengthening the board-superintendent relationship is one of the most important aspects of effective governance and with significant turnover in both areas, it’s no easy task. In this episode, Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators Executive Director Tina Kerr, Ph.D. joins us to discuss strategies for strengthening…

Representation at the national level has always been important to Michigan school board members and MASB. In this episode, we talk with new Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer John Heim, Ph.D. from the National School Boards Association about his background and how the association is moving forward and pivoting to serve its members.…

With a new calendar year underway, we look ahead to what 2023 may bring for Michigan public education. Joining us are Executive Directors Tina Kerr, Ph.D. from the Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators, David Martell, CPA, CFO from Michigan School Business Officials and Wendy Zdeb from the Michigan Association of Secondary School…

It’s our annual conversation with the Michigan Teacher of the Year—Nanette Hanson from Escanaba Public Schools is the 2022-2023 recipient. She shares a U.P. connection with MASB Executive Director Don Wotruba, CAE and talks about her surprise at being nominated as well as her strong belief in building relationships with her students’ parents and so…

There are many organizations in the Michigan public education arena. We talk with the new Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators, John Severson, Ph.D., about how we collaborate and listen at the state level, as well as how ISDs and locals work together for the common good of their communities.…

We had the pleasure of speaking to the 2023 Michigan Superintendent of the Year Monica Merritt, Ed.D. from Plymouth-Canton Community Schools. She shared some personal and district successes along with how she’s handled contentious issues. From her experiences, she hopes any person or district can take the example she intentionally (or unintentional…

Michigan’s students deserve all the help, direction and opportunities they can get in education, employment and life. Youth Solutions, a nonprofit organization based in Benton Harbor, has been providing programs and services to equip young people with the skills to overcome barriers and succeed. Director of Strategic Operations Sonya Blanzy joins u…

We live in a society that often does not value the importance of keeping our promises. It’s too easy to say, “I’ll get to it later.” Alex Sheen, #MASBALC 2022 General Session speaker and the Founder of because I said I would., a social movement and nonprofit dedicated to the betterment of humanity through promises made and kept, talks with us about…

It’s one of the largest industries in the world and a rising league-based school club in your district—Esports is a hit with Michigan students. In this episode, we talk with Ryan Cayce, Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals’ Director of Digital Learning & Resources/Director of Esports, on how a district can get involved as well as how…

What is the difference between respect and dignity and why is it important in our classrooms? Rosalind Wiseman, Cofounder of Cultures of Dignity and one of the 2022 General Session speakers at MASB’s Annual Leadership Conference, tells us how we can shift the way we think about young people’s physical and emotional wellbeing. She is also the author…

A new school year brings known and unknown legal hurdles. Brad Banasik, J.D., MASB Legal Counsel and Director of Labor Relations/Policy, joins us on the show to talk about what he thinks all districts should pay attention to for 2022-2023.By Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB)

How do we engage our student leaders so they can be their best selves? Matt Alley, M.A., Associate Director of Student Services and Nina Davis, M.A., Associate Director of Member Services and Engagement at the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals talk to us about the services they offer for Michigan students including a summer camp f…

In the early 1980s, Huey Lewis sang “I'm taking what they giving 'cause I'm working for a livin'. . .” With all the post-secondary opportunities available, this hopefully is no longer the case. In this episode, Cindy Kangas, Executive Director of the Capital Area Manufacturing Council, talks with us about how CAMC and similar organizations are part…

MASB’s leadership changes over this month with Steve Hyer from Clarkston Community Schools stepping up to serve as Board President. He joins us to talk about what he is looking forward to this year and also shares how he got into board service and how it has influenced other areas of his life.By Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB)

Parental involvement is integral to a strong and successful school environment. We spoke with Marcy Dwyer from the Michigan Parent Teacher Association about how parents can get involved in their district along with what the Michigan PTA has been up to recently and the resources they provide. *This episode was recorded before the Let MI Kids Learn c…

It’s a conversation we wish we didn’t have to continually have—how do we keep our kids safe at school? In this episode, Kim Root, Manager of the Michigan Office of School Safety, talks about creating a culture of proactive practices and how the OSS can help.By Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB)

Superintendent turnover seems to be increasing each year, but the number of candidates to fill those roles isn’t keeping up. Greg Sieszputowski, M.Ed., MASB’s Director of Leadership Development and Executive Search Services, along with Jay Bennett, M.Ed., MASB’s Assistant Director of Executive Search Services, talk about some of the trends they are…

Sports officiating has become a more high-pressured career and recruiting is more challenging than ever. We spoke with Lowell A. Winne Jr., President of the Southwest Michigan Officials Association and registered official with the Michigan High School Athletic Association, about the promise he sees in the field and his personal experiences as an of…

It’s almost always a challenging process to work through, but budgeting is crucial to a successful school year. We spoke with Superintendent Glenn Maleyko, Ph.D. and Executive Director of Business and Operations Tom Wall from Dearborn Public Schools about the successful tools and strategies they have been using and the national recognition their pr…

What is the National School Boards Association and what impact does it have on the bigger public education picture? We talk with Don Hubler, MASB Board member and recently elected Secretary-Treasurer for the NSBA Board of Directors, about the direction the organization is headed in, Michigan’s role through elected representation and active involvem…