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Acme, MI 49610
United States
MEMSPA's 2026 Annual Conference
Lead with us! Join us for MEMSPA's 2026 Annual Conference!
Wednesday, December 2, 2026
at 8:00 AM (EST)
to Friday, December 4, 2026 at 12:30 PM (EST)
Grand Traverse Resort
100 Grand Traverse Village BoulevardAcme, MI 49610
United States
* Registration open until 12/3/26 at 4:00 PM (EST)
We hope you will join us to celebrate, connect and learn together at MEMSPA's 2026 Annual Conference. This three day conference is jam packed with fantastic keynote speakers, breakout speakers and networking opportunities.
This year's theme is Lead With Us. Each of our presenters will be bringing a message to empower Principals, Assistant Principals, Deans, aspiring administrators, central office leadership and teacher leaders to return to their districts rejuvenated and invigorated. We hope to see you all in December!
| Price | |
|---|---|
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MEMSPA Retiree (Conference Sessions)
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FREE |
| Price | |
|---|---|
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Member Full Conference
|
$500.00 |
| Price | |
|---|---|
|
Non-Member Full Conference
|
$575.00 |
| Price | |
|---|---|
|
Wednesday Only Registration
|
$225.00 |
|
Thursday Only Registration
|
$225.00 |
| Price | |
|---|---|
|
Wednesday Breakfast Retiree Registration
Registration Ends 12/2/26 at 3:59 PM EST
|
$30.00 |
|
Wednesday Breakfast Guest Registration
Registration Ends 12/2/26 at 3:59 PM EST
|
$30.00 |
|
Wednesday Lunch Retiree
Registration Ends 12/2/26 at 3:59 PM EST
|
$30.00 |
|
Wednesday Lunch Guest Ticket
Registration Ends 12/2/26 at 3:59 PM EST
|
$30.00 |
|
Thursday Breakfast Retiree Registration
Registration Ends 12/2/26 at 3:59 PM EST
|
$30.00 |
|
Thursday Breakfast Guest Registration
Registration Ends 12/2/26 at 3:59 PM EST
|
$30.00 |
|
Thursday Boxed Lunch Retiree
Registration Ends 12/2/26 at 3:59 PM EST
|
$30.00 |
|
Thursday Boxed Lunch Guest Ticket
Registration Ends 12/2/26 at 3:59 PM EST
|
$30.00 |
|
Banquet Awards Dinner Guests
Registration Ends 12/2/26 at 3:59 PM EST
|
$45.00 |
|
Friday Breakfast Retiree Registration
Registration Ends 12/2/26 at 3:59 PM EST
|
$30.00 |
|
Friday Breakfast Guest Registration
Registration Ends 12/2/26 at 3:59 PM EST
|
$30.00 |
Agenda
| December 2 | |
| 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM | Registration & Breakfast |
| 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM | Welcome and State of the Association |
| 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Keynote: Jack Berckemeyer, "Optimism and Opportunity" |
| 11:10 AM - 11:25 AM | Break |
| 11:25 AM - 12:00 PM | General Session |
| 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM | Region Lunch |
| 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM | 15 New Faces of Adolescence by Jack Berckemeyer |
| 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM | Make Excellence the Norm: Strengthening Tier 1 Instruction Across Every Classroom by Allyson Apsey |
| 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM | Breakout Sessions A |
| 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM | Leading Young Humans, Not Just Schools: Student-Ready Tools to Build Connection, Confidence, and Culture - Starting Monday by Doug Ammeraal, Joe Beckman, Mike Domagalski and David Simpson |
| 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM | The We and Me of Efficacy: Principals Moves that Grown Confidence, Build Strength, and Elevate Teams by Michelle Allen, Lisa Knuth and Jesseca LaFayette |
| 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM | From Surviving to Thriving: Intentional Leadership for Positive Schools by Becky Hager and Jamie Stanley |
| 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM | From Firefighting to Flourishing: Harmonizing Tech, People, and Operations by Katie Casson, Joseph Corr, and Lauren Schefke |
| 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM | See Me, Show Me, Support Me: The Power of Windows, Mirrors, and Doors by Dina Rocheleau |
| 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM | Leading With Your Ears: How to Develop Inverse Charisma by Jared Randall |
| 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM | Educational Leadership Amidst a Challenging Landscape: Ensuring LGBTQ+ Students Can Learn And Thrive in Our Schools by Kim Phillips-Knope, MSW |
| 2:40 PM - 4:00 PM | Region Time |
| 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM | Leadership Matters Alumni Reception |
| 8:30 PM - 11:00 PM | MEMSPA Foundation Reception |
| December 3 | |
| 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM | President’s Breakfast |
| 8:00 AM - 9:10 AM | Keynote: Willow Sweeney, "Living Above and Below the Line: Discovering the Power of Choice"" |
| 9:20 AM - 9:35 AM | Break |
| 9:35 AM - 10:45 AM | Breakout Sessions B |
| 9:35 AM - 10:45 AM | Lead Like a Coach: Cultivating Talent and Creating a Culture of Growth by Allyson Apsey |
| 9:35 AM - 10:45 AM | If We Started Over… Lessons from Finland on Building Better Schools by Carol Dawson |
| 9:35 AM - 10:45 AM | Face Your Struggle, Find Your Strength by Dr. Debbie McFalone |
| 9:35 AM - 10:45 AM | Carrying More Than Anyone Sees: Mental Health and Sustainable Leadership for School Principals by Dr. David Simpson |
| 9:35 AM - 10:45 AM | Movement as Radical Resistance: Reclaiming Our Bodies, Energy, and Power in School Leadership by Dr. Rebecca Hasson and Heidi Roy-Borland |
| 9:35 AM - 10:45 AM | Building Inclusive Systems: A Comprehensive Approach to Supporting LRE Across School Communities by Cheryl-Marie Manson |
| 9:35 AM - 10:45 AM | Principals as Catalysts: Empower Michigan Leaders to End the Literacy Crises by Rachelle Cook, Dr. KaiLonnie Dunsmore, Nathan Fairbanks, Kimberly Gillow, Elizabeth Hughes, Heather Phelps, Lindsey Rogers, and Matt Stevenson |
| 9:35 AM - 10:45 AM | Leading with Compassion: Supporting Students and Staff Through Trauma-Informed Practices by Dr. Lisa Carlos |
| 10:55 AM - 12:05 PM | Breakout Sessions C |
| 10:55 AM - 12:05 PM | Top 20s Help Themselves and Others Learn from Mistakes and Move Outside Their Comfort Zone by Willow Sweeney Flaherty |
| 10:55 AM - 12:05 PM | From Data to Practice to Impact: Building Systems That Grow Teacher and Collective Efficacy by Kysha Crenshaw, Stacey Douglas, and Vicki Wilson |
| 10:55 AM - 12:05 PM | Building Middle School Culture with Purpose: Engagement, Voice, and Relationship by Kimberly Jasper |
| 10:55 AM - 12:05 PM | Breaking the Loop: Naming and Taming the High-Stakes Leadership Hustle by Joe Reimann |
| 10:55 AM - 12:05 PM | Check Engine Light: Early Warning Systems That Keep Students Safe and Supported by Nichole Cruce, Dr. Adam Hartley, Jennifer Johnson and Josh Vanaman |
| 10:55 AM - 12:05 PM | Making Moments Matter - Creating Transformational Experiences in Our Schools by Katharine Jeffrey, Diana Keefe and Dina Rocheleau |
| 10:55 AM - 12:05 PM | Reimagining the Classroom: Learning Beyond Four Walls by Kevin Derr and Emily Slagter |
| 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM | MASB: Career Advancement Sessions |
| 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM | MASB: Career Advancement Sessions |
| 12:05 PM - 2:50 PM | Partner and Vendor Show |
| 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM | Retiree & Past Presidents’ Reception |
| 2:50 PM - 3:00 PM | Break |
| 3:00 PM - 4:10 PM | Breakout Sessions D |
| 3:00 PM - 4:10 PM | Culture By Design: Ready to Implement Strategies by Michele Barringer & Nicole Garza |
| 3:00 PM - 4:10 PM | Building Strong School Teams: Effective Hiring Practices for Elementary & Middle School Principals by Doug Ammeraal and Dr. Carmen Maring |
| 3:00 PM - 4:10 PM | From Deficit to Strength: Reimagining PLCs Through Appreciative Inquiry and the B.E.S.T. Framework by Allyson Apsey and Vicki Wilson |
| 3:00 PM - 4:10 PM | Practical Trauma-Informed Leadership for Middle School Principals by Kimberly Jasper |
| 3:00 PM - 4:10 PM | Suspend and Recommend with Region 10 No Referrals—Just Recommendations Too Good to Keep in the Office by Jason Bryan, Detra Fields, Laura Garrison, Verle Gilbert, Michele McKendry, Jennifer Richmond and Wyatt Stevens |
| 3:00 PM - 4:10 PM | Building a Second Brain: Using Notion and AI to Organize Leadership Thinking and Strategic Work by Cheryl-Marie Manson |
| 3:00 PM - 4:10 PM | Every Student, Every Day: Aligning MTSS to Strengthen Tier 1 and Support the Whole Child by Stacey Webber |
| 3:00 PM - 4:10 PM | Think Through Thursdays: Problem Solving System by Nikki Freedberg, Stephanie Horwath, and Ali Winslow |
| 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM | MEMSPA Networking Reception |
| 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | Leadership Awards Banquet |
| 8:30 PM - 12:00 AM | MEMSPA Party |
| December 4 | |
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Check-Out & Breakfast |
| 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM | General Session |
| 10:20 AM - 11:30 AM | Keyonte: LaVonna Roth, "Ignite Your Leadership S.H.I.N.E." |
| 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Closing |
| 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM | Early Registration |
Reserve your room at the Grand Traverse Resort today!
We do expect the hotel to sell out for our event.
When our room block is full, we will share information
about room blocks at two other local hotels.
Make your reservation at the Grand Traverse Resort
by calling (231) 534-6000 and mention MEMSPA
or use the online booking link.
For More Information:
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
Reserve your room today!
Reserve by phone by calling (231) 534-6000 and mention MEMSPA
or use the online booking link!