From the President -We all know that the principal wears many hats. Sometimes it’s hard to figure out where we should be focusing our time. Following are some broad categories that should help to bring things into perspective.Read on >

Dear Members -Your MEMSPA Conference Planning Committee has designed a spectacular conference for you on December 1-3, 2008 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This year’s conference “Cultivating Key Leadership” will provide sessions that touch every aspect of schools.: Read on >

The Word of the Month is Recruit! - We need everyone to find out who still needs to join MEMSPA in their region and get them to fill out their membership forms. Don’t forget, for each new member you recruit - you will get a $25.00 gift card from NAESP! Share the benefits of MEMSPA with potential new members and explain what MEMSPA has done for you!
Read on >

The Reading Principal - Bill Rich, MEMSPA Past President and principal of McFall Elementary School with the Thornapple Kellogg Public Schools, will share his love of reading to students with MEMSPA members in a regular article titled, The Reading Principal.  In each article, Bill will share a favorite book that has been “field tested” with elementary students. This month, Bill discusses Who is the Beast by Keith Baker.
Read on >

Under the Dome - What is an Advocate? The basic definition of an advocate is someone who actively supports a cause, policy or idea. A MEMSPA advocate acts on pieces of legislation, initiatives, or propositions that directly affect public education and more specifically at times, elementary and middle school education. Read on >

Benefits of NAESP Membership - Now more than ever, principals must navigate the transformations of the 21st century to ensure that all children and adults learn and perform at high levels. Read on >

Principals as Literacy Leaders - With increasing pressure from NCLB to building literacy leaders throughout schools, experts say principals should make time to join teachers in core reading program professional development opportunities. Read on >

The Middle School Years - The notion that the middle-school years may be the best time to train people in complex reasoning and critical thinking has been borne out in initial studies by researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas's University Center for BrainHealth, writes Robert Miller, a columnist at the Dallas Morning News. Read on >

The New Principal's Lament - I’m a new principal. Here I am at my new desk, which is loaded with guidelines and lists and policies. Everyone seems to know what I’m, supposed to be doing…but me. Then I discover that regardless of what action I take – or fail to take – I just can’t please everyone. Read on >

Article Submission - Have you ever read an article from a magazine, newsletter, or other source and thought, "I should pass this along to others." If you come across an article or have a story worth passing along to your colleagues, please contact Debbie at debbie@memspa.org.