MHSAA Fall/Winter '25 Update

What happens when schools rethink how students experience learning? In this episode, Brad Dykstra from Yale High School and Brad Hale from Brown City share how they're bringing authentic learning to life through innovative courses that connect math with construction, manufacturing, and real-world business experiences. They discuss how these approaches are helping students find greater purpose in their learning, expanding opportunities for career exploration, and even reigniting teachers' passion for education. From creative scheduling and staffing to lessons learned along the way, this conversation offers practical ideas for school leaders looking to make learning more relevant, meaningful, and engaging for all students.

Supporting student mental health continues to be a growing priority for schools, but what does meaningful support actually look like? In this episode, Matt Alley and Samantha Ellis join MASSP's Nina Davis for a conversation to explore the challenges surrounding student mental health and the important role school leaders and educators play in creating supportive learning environments. From recognizing student needs to strengthening connections and identifying opportunities for support, this conversation encourages principals to think about how their schools can better support students and the people who work with them.

Aaron Romoslawski, Director of AI Strategy and Instructional Innovation at Forest Hills Public Schools, joins the podcast to discuss how AI in education has evolved since 2023 and what districts are learning along the way. The conversation explores when AI can strengthen teaching and learning, when it may be better to leave it out, how schools can support both early adopters and more hesitant staff, and why student learning should remain the focus behind every technology decision. Aaron also shares examples from across grade levels and offers insight into how districts can approach AI with greater purpose and clarity.

Dr. Theresa Stager joins the podcast to share what her doctoral research revealed about the power of effective PLCs. The conversation explores how meaningful collaboration can strengthen collective efficacy, improve professional learning and lead to deeper conversations about student learning. Theresa also shares practical lessons on building trust, structuring PLC time, avoiding compliance-driven practices and how principals can create the conditions for teachers to learn from one another.

In this episode, we welcome back MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl to reflect on the close of the winter sports season and the transition into spring athletics across Michigan. Mark shares highlights from the winter season, previews the debut of boys volleyball as a new MHSAA tournament sport, and provides helpful context around recent headlines—including the expansion of personal branding opportunities for high school athletes and ongoing conversations about separating public and private schools in postseason play. The conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how decisions are made within the MHSAA while reinforcing the importance of maintaining the focus on the "student-athlete" and the role athletics play in connecting schools and communities. 

In this episode, we are joined by Kim Urbanski of Godwin Heights Middle School to discuss their innovative "Zero Hour" model, a twice-monthly 70-minute enrichment block built into the school day to increase joy, relevance, and student voice. Kim shares the why behind the program, how they adjusted the master schedule, built staff buy-in through shared leadership, and evolved the model to give students more choice. They also discuss early impact on attendance, engagement, and classroom culture.

In this episode, students take the lead in an honest conversation about how AI is actually being used in schools today—from tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to real classroom expectations that range from full bans to thoughtful integration. Students share how they use AI for everything from emails and test prep to college applications and creative projects, while also unpacking the tension between "getting work done" and truly learning. The discussion surfaces both the promise and the challenges of AI in education, ultimately offering a clear message for educators: student voice matters, guidance matters, and AI—when used intentionally—can be a powerful tool for personalization, feedback, and deeper learning rather than a shortcut to avoid it.

In this episode, Jennifer McFarlane shares the story behind Romeo High School's academy model and how it has evolved to create more personalized, student-centered learning experiences. She walks listeners through how the model began in 2015–16, expanded across grade levels, and now uses intentional structures like card sorts, small learning communities, and teacher teams to support students in exploring and committing to CTE pathways. The conversation highlights measurable outcomes such as improved graduation rates and reduced math failures, while also surfacing key lessons around teacher collaboration, stakeholder involvement, and the importance of a clear "North Star" when redesigning the high school experience.

As the fall season wraps up and winter sports begin, MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl joins us to share updates from across Michigan athletics. We discuss the organized chaos of overlapping seasons, what's new for winter competition, and continued efforts to improve sportsmanship for players, coaches, and fans alike. Mark also reflects on participation trends, including post-pandemic recovery and the role school leaders play in shaping a positive athletic experience for all students.

In this episode, we sit down with Portage West Middle School Principal Jason Messenger and Assistant Principal Sidney Bailey IV to explore how their "Risky Words" initiative is reshaping school culture. What started as a response to rising reports of offensive language has grown into a proactive, schoolwide effort to teach empathy, kindness, and accountability. Hear how student voice and data guided their journey, what they've learned along the way, and how any school can take similar steps to create a more inclusive and respectful environment.