Michigan Leadership Institute

Every Graduate Has a Story, And It’s Only Chapter One

As we approach the close of another school year, our communities begin one of the most meaningful traditions in education, graduation. The ceremonies, the applause, the proud families, and the turning of tassels all symbolize something powerful: accomplishment. But perhaps even more importantly, they represent the beginning of a much larger story.

We often speak of curriculum as standards, pacing guides, and instructional frameworks. Yet, in its truest form, curriculum is far more than that, it is a story in motion. It is the lived experience of each student, unfolding day by day, shaped by relationships, challenges, growth, and discovery.

Recently, while participating in runDisney race events, I found myself deeply moved, not just by the miles, but by the people. Many runners were not elite athletes, but individuals carrying powerful personal stories. I listened as participants, some well into later chapters of life, shared their journeys of overcoming illness, loss, and adversity. They spoke of setting a goal: to run 3 miles, 6 miles, even 10 miles… and the profound pride in proving to themselves that they could do hard things.

Their stories were not about running.

They were about resilience, belief, and perseverance.

And I couldn’t help but think of our students.

In just a few short weeks, thousands of young people will walk across stages in our districts. We will celebrate their academic achievements, their extracurricular successes, and the milestones they have reached. And rightfully so, they have accomplished a tremendous amount already.

But the truth is, for each of them, this is only Chapter One.

Ahead of them lies a journey filled with both triumph and challenge. There will be moments of great accomplishment, some we will hear about and celebrate publicly. Many more will happen quietly, away from the spotlight, as they navigate life’s inevitable obstacles and discover their own strength.

Each student will write a story that is uniquely their own.

And as educators, leaders, and communities, we hold a profound privilege: we are among the earliest authors in that story. We help shape their confidence. We nurture their curiosity. We teach them sometimes directly, often indirectly, that they are capable of more than they realize.

Long after diplomas are handed out, the lessons learned in our schools, about perseverance, kindness, responsibility, and hope will continue to echo in their lives.

As you sit at your graduation ceremonies this spring, I encourage you to pause and take it all in. Look beyond the caps and gowns and see the stories sitting before you, stories still being written, still unfolding, still full of possibility. Because while we celebrate what our students have achieved, we must also recognize something even more inspiring: The best chapters are still ahead.

And what an extraordinary honor it is that we were part of the beginning.

Lisa Hagel

The Bridge Builder

An old man, going a lone highway,
Came, at the evening, cold and gray,
To a chasm, vast, and deep, and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The sullen stream had no fears for him;
But he turned, when safe on the other side,
And built a bridge to span the tide.
"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim, near,
"You are wasting strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day;
You never again must pass this way;
You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide-
Why build you the bridge at the eventide?"
The builder lifted his old gray head:
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,
"There followeth after me today
A youth, whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm, that has been naught to me,
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building the bridge for him."

By, Will Allen Droomgoole

Topics

1. Your Story Is Just Beginning

• Graduation is a milestone, not a finish line
• Life is being written in chapters—this is Chapter One
• The future is unwritten and full of possibility
• You are both the author and the main character

2. Learning to Do Hard Things

• Growth comes through challenge, not comfort
• Failure is part of the journey—not the end
• Confidence is built by proving things to yourself
• Resilience will matter more than talent

3. Who You Become Matters More Than What You Do

• Character defines long-term success
• Kindness, integrity, and empathy matter
• People will remember how you made them feel
• Your impact on others is your true legacy

4. You Don’t Have to Have It All Figured Out

• It’s okay not to have a perfect plan
• Exploration leads to discovery
• Paths change, and that’s part of growth
• Give yourself permission to evolve

5. Small Moments Create Big Lives

• Daily habits shape long-term outcomes
• Consistency beats occasional effort
• Small decisions compound over time
• Excellence is built one step at a time

6. Leave People Better Than You Found Them

• Leadership is about lifting others
• Simple acts of kindness have lasting impact
• Build people up, don’t tear them down
• The world needs more people who care

7. Define Success on Your Own Terms

• Avoid comparing your journey to others
• Success is not one-size-fits-all
• Follow your passions and values
• Build a life that is meaningful to you

8. Adversity Will Come—You Are Ready

• Challenges are a certainty in life
• You have already developed strength and resilience
• Difficult moments shape who you become
• You are more capable than you think

9. Gratitude and Legacy

• Recognize those who helped you along the way
• Family, teachers, and mentors matter
• Express appreciation intentionally
• Carry forward the support you received

10. You Matter More Than You Know

• Every individual has value and purpose
• Your presence makes a difference
• You have the ability to impact others positively
• The world is better because you are in it

Every year at graduation, we celebrate big achievements, top honors, awards, scholarships. And those deserve recognition. But there’s another kind of success that often goes unnoticed. We all know students who don't stand out on paper.

No major awards.

No headlines.

But what most people didn’t see was the story behind that student.

They had faced challenges—real ones.

Days when just showing up to school was difficult.

Moments when quitting would have been understandable.

And yet—day after day—they showed up anyway.

They kept trying.

They kept learning.

They kept moving forward.

And on graduation day, when that student walked across the stage, the applause sounded the same as it did for everyone else, but their journey was anything but the same.

Because for that student, that diploma represented something deeper, courage, perseverance, and quiet determination.

And it reminded me of something we should never forget: Not all success is loud.

Not all victories are seen.

But every single one matters.

And graduates, as you leave here, know this:

Some of your greatest accomplishments in life will never be announced on a stage.

But they will shape who you become, and that is what truly matters.

"Not every student’s success looks the same, but every student’s growth matters.”

“Some of the most important victories in life are the ones no one else sees.”

“Courage doesn’t always look like a finish line; it often looks like simply not giving up.”

“Every student sitting before us has overcome something, and that deserves recognition.”

“Our role is not just to educate minds, but to build belief in what is possible.”

Don’t Forget the Middle. Don’t Miss the Beginning.

As the school year draws to a close, our attention naturally turns to high school milestones of graduations, championships, and celebrations that mark the culmination of years of effort. These moments matter. They are visible, emotional, and well-earned. But, as we celebrate the finish line, we must also be intentional about recognizing the two spaces where so much of that success is built:

The beginning… and the middle.

Don’t Miss the Beginning: Our Elementary Schools

In elementary buildings, the work is foundational and deeply human. These leaders and teams are doing far more than teaching reading, writing, and mathematics. They are helping children:

• Learn how to be students
• Build relationships
• Understand emotions and develop confidence
• They are shaping identity, belonging, and the earliest beliefs students hold about themselves as learners.

This year, they have also:

• Navigated increasingly complex student behaviors
• Supported families seeking guidance and reassurance
• Created safe, structured environments where every child can grow

Much of this work is quiet. It doesn’t always show up in data dashboards, but it is the work that makes everything else possible.

Even now, they are preparing for summer, designing programs that re-engage learners, provide stability, and create joyful learning experiences.

Don’t Forget the Middle: Our Middle Schools

While elementary builds the foundation, middle schools shape the transition. These are the years where students are:

• Testing boundaries
• Navigating identity
• Learning (sometimes imperfectly) how to make decisions

And yes… sometimes being wonderfully, unpredictably goofy.

Middle school educators lead in one of the most complex spaces in education. They:

Balance accountability with compassion

Redirect behavior with patience and consistency

Support students who are growing, changing, and still figuring themselves out

These students are equal parts energetic, challenging, and completely lovable. Your middle school teams meet them right there, in that messy, meaningful middle.

They are also preparing students for what comes next:

• Building academic readiness
• Instilling responsibility and resilience
• Laying the groundwork for high school success

The accomplishments we celebrate at graduation are built her, every single day.

As you move through the final weeks of the school year:

Visit an elementary school

Visit a middle school

Walk the hallways and step into classrooms

Speak directly to principals, teachers, and support staff

Offer specific, genuine appreciation

Not through an email.

Not in a meeting.

In person.

Elementary and middle school leaders and staff have spent this year doing work that is complex, demanding, and deeply impactful.

They have helped students feel:

• Safe
• Capable
• Supported
• Ready for what comes next

As you celebrate the end of this school year, take the time to remind them:

You see the work.

You value the work.

And you are grateful.

Because the finish line we celebrate is only possible because of the beginning and the middle.

What is the Superintendent Preparation Academy?

The Superintendent Preparation Academy is a comprehensive leadership development experience to prepare individuals who will be the next “class” of superintendent candidates – those considering the pursuit of positions in the year 2026 or thereafter. This experience will also help you grow as an educational professional regardless of your leadership position and strengthen your skills and knowledge to increase performance today and tomorrow.

Why was the Academy developed?

MLI is committed to K-12 school districts and public institutions throughout Michigan and the success of all children by developing, deploying and supporting outstanding executive leadership.

There will be an unprecedented number of superintendents retiring over the next decade. At the same time, fewer people with the necessary capacity-building experiences are aspiring to move into these critical leadership roles. In addition, the superintendency has become increasingly complex. It is critical that future superintendents have the best preparation and network possible as you take leadership of the district, and we want to help you be successful.

To see more information or register for the SUPES ACADEMY see the link and brochure below or visit the MLI website. We guarantee you will not be disappointed in the professional learning and relationships made in this experience. Please call Dr. Lisa Hagel at 810-516-9368 or email at lhagelmli@geneseeisd.org

SEPTEMBER 16 & 17 , OCTOBER 21 & 22, NOVEMBER 18 & 19, DECEMBER 16 & 17

SET SEG: Supporting School Leaders Year-Round

For Michigan public school superintendents, no two days look exactly the same. The role requires leaders to balance student achievement, staffing, facilities, finance, board relations, community trust, and compliance – oftentimes all at once. That complexity spans the school year, shifting from negotiations in the summer and fall, to a spring full of budget development, capital projects, and more. District leaders are constantly managing moving pieces.

Where SET SEG Can Help

As a risk management organization built specifically for Michigan public schools, by Michigan public schools, SET SEG offers a wide range of solutions designed to support administrators, business offices, and employees throughout the year. While many school leaders know SET SEG for its risk management and employee benefit services, the organization’s value goes far beyond coverage alone. SET SEG works alongside districts to help them prevent problems and respond effectively when issues arise.

Superintendents are often called on to make decisions in situations that are urgent, sensitive, or unfamiliar, such as escalating personnel matters or facility damage. Over time, experienced school leaders have learned to tackle many of these situations effectively, but what about an individual new to the position? No manual exists for Michigan’s public-school leaders. That’s where SET SEG can help.

SET SEG’s Risk Management Liaison service, a free benefit for SET SEG members, is designed to provide a layer of guidance during unfamiliar moments. Rather than waiting until a situation becomes a claim or crisis, superintendents can reach out to our experienced liaisons, former superintendents themselves, to talk through concerns, get perspective on next steps, and connect with the right resources. Whatever the issue may involve, this service gives district leaders a knowledgeable point of contact who understands the Michigan public school environment.

Proactive Support Just a Call Away

SET SEG offers property/casualty, workers’ compensation, and employee benefit services to Michigan public schools – our risk management liaisons can provide knowledgeable advice on everything we offer and more, such as:

· Negotiations

· Property claim process

· Budget considerations

· Data breach

· Any other district problem that may arise

If you are a relatively new superintendent, or know someone who’s just starting out as a school leader, please don’t hesitate to reach out to either of our risk management liaisons with a combined 39 years of school leadership experience:

Dan Reattoir Educational Relations Specialist dreattoir@setseg.org (517) 816-1686

Jeff Crouse Sales and Product Development Specialist jcrouse@setseg.org (517) 816-1603

SET SEG’s main goal is to support Michigan public schools. If our advice can help a new superintendent make the right decisions, it only helps us further our mission. To learn more about our commitment to public schools in Michigan and the services we provide, head to setseg.org.

Female leadership matters, and so does having a trusted circle of leaders who understand the unique opportunities, challenges, responsibilities, and impact that come with serving others in educational leadership.

Across Michigan, women leaders continue to shape schools, organizations, communities, and the future of education through vision, resilience, collaboration, and service. Yet even the strongest leaders benefit from having a space where they can reflect honestly, grow professionally, learn alongside peers, and build lasting relationships with others who truly understand the leadership journey.

The Michigan Leadership Institute’s Women’s Leadership Group was created to provide exactly that kind of experience.

This unique network brings together female leaders from across Michigan four times each year in a supportive, engaging, and professionally enriching environment designed around collaboration, reflection, learning, and authentic connection. Unlike traditional professional development models, participants help shape the agenda and direction of the group based upon current leadership challenges, emerging topics, professional interests, and shared experiences.

Participants engage in meaningful conversation around real leadership situations and opportunities while learning from one another’s strategies, perspectives, and outcomes. The group regularly explores professional books, essays, podcasts, and leadership resources that encourage continued reflection and growth both personally and professionally.

More importantly, the experience creates something far deeper than a meeting schedule or professional development series, it builds a strong and lasting professional network grounded in trust, encouragement, mentorship, and shared leadership experiences. Participants often leave feeling renewed, supported, inspired, and connected to a community of women leaders who continue to encourage one another long after each session concludes.

The network is expertly facilitated by Sheila Alles, former Michigan Interim State Superintendent, whose leadership experience, thoughtful facilitation, exceptional listening skills, and genuine commitment to supporting others create an environment where leaders feel valued, heard, challenged, and encouraged. Ms. Alles brings both wisdom and authenticity to the group, helping guide conversations that are meaningful, practical, reflective, and empowering.

In a profession where leadership can sometimes feel isolating, the Women in Leadership Group provides an opportunity to learn, grow, collaborate, and lead alongside other accomplished women who are equally committed to making a difference.

Female leaders from across Michigan are encouraged to join this growing network of professionals dedicated to supporting one another and strengthening leadership for the future.

The Women in Leadership will meet four times throughout the year on October 1, December 3, January 28, and April 15. To support participation from leaders across the state, the group will meet twice in the Flint area and twice in Southeast Michigan. Each session will include lunch and opportunities for networking, collaboration, reflection, and professional learning.

If you are interested in participating in this unique leadership network, the cost to participate is $225. Registration may be completed through the Michigan Leadership Institute website or by contacting Lisa Hook directly by phone (810) 591-4541 or email: lhook@geneseeisd.org for additional information.

We encourage female leaders from across Michigan to consider joining this supportive and inspiring professional network designed to strengthen leadership, encourage authentic connection, and create lasting professional relationships.

The goal of the process is to develop a highly functioning LEADERSHIP team. If you are interested, you can contact any MLI consultant for more information.

The Michigan Leadership Institute is honored to have received many high caliber applications from incredible students across Michigan. We are so proud of all of you for your accomplishments and hard work. Your leadership skills will no doubt help take you through many challenges and opportunities to find success and happiness. The scholarship recipients distinguished themselves through exceptional involvement in leadership, service and character through athletics, band, vocal music, student leadership roles, robotics, volunteerism, community and civic engagement all while maintaining outstanding academic performances. We are thrilled to award $1,000 to nine student leaders for 2026:

• Michael DoOrio from Portland High School attending Michigan Techn. University for Aerospace Engineering.

• Kendall Hollon from Yale High School attending The University of Michigan to be a Neurosurgeon.

• Sophie Wetherell from Clio High School High School attending Saginaw Valley State College for Occupational Therapy.

• Blake Hyma from Hopkins High School attending Grand Rapids Community College to be a Special Education Teacher.

• Samantha Brown from Clio attending Saginaw Valley State University to be an Athletic Trainer.

These young people have all displayed incredible leadership, attendance, involvement and achievement in their respective schools and communities. The Michigan Leadership Institute and our generous donors wish these amazing young people the very best future possible.

If you would like to donate to our scholarship fund, please contact Dr. Lisa Hagel or the Genesee County Education Foundation (GCEF). We all appreciate the support for students and their great achievements.

See the MLI Website for more information. http:mileader.org

• Romeo Community Schools Superintendent
• Utica Community Schools Assistant Superintendent
• County of Berrien Administrator

• Interim Superintendents and principals also needed for long- and short-term vacancies.
• More in progress- see MLI Website for New Postings

Additionally, we can assist you in recruiting and replacing all key positions in your district as you focus on other important duties. Please do not hesitate to reach out for support.

(810) 591-3251 or mli@geneseeisd.org

Ms. Sheila Alles, Former Interim State Superintendent, Deputy State Superintendent, Curriculum Specialist Livonia Public Schools: Serving Districts with MLI as a Curriculum & Instructional Specialist, Strategic Planning

Dr. Randy Liepa, Former Superintendent Wayne RESA and Livonia Public Schools Serving Districts with MLI in Millage, Bond Support, Searches, and Strategic Planning

Dr. Keely Mounger, Former Superintendent at Westwood Heights, and Coleman, Former Deputy Superintendent for Human Resources and Operations Serving Districts with MLI in Capital and Facility Planning, Negotiations, Searches

Mr. Clarence Garner, Former Superintendent Grand Blanc Schools Serving Districts with MLI in Strategic Planning Specialist

Mrs.Teresa Weatherall Neal, Former Superintendent of Grand Rapids Public Schools Serving Districts with MLI in Instructional Coach, Searches, & Culture Coaching

Mr. David Burt, Former Operations and Maintenance Director Serving Districts with MLI in Capital and Facility Planning

Dr. Debbie McFalone, Leadership Consultant Serving Districts with MLI in Professional Development in Leadership and Instructional Learning making meaningful and powerful change

Mr. Chet Janik, Former Superintendent, Leelanau County Administrator County Administrative Searches Districts, Village Leadership, Mentoring and Strategic Planning

Dr. William Webber, Former Superintendent South Redford School District, Serving Districts with MLI in Human Resources, Finance, and Negotiations

Mr. Tom Tenbrink, Former Superintendent Jenison Public Schools, Serving Districts with MLI in Searches, Culture Building, and Bond Support

Dr. Robert Livernois, Former Superintendent Warren Consolidated School District, Serving Districts Across Michigan, specializing in safety planning, special projects, Governance, Contract work

Dr. Wanda Cook-Robinson, Former Superintendent Oakland ISD, Serving Districts with Searches, Board Governance, Mentoring, Culture Building, Special Projects

Mr. Brian Keim, Former Superintendent at Lakers, Elkerton Pigeon Batport, serving as Admin. Mentor

Mr. Dave Killips, Former Superintendent Chelsea, Serving Districts with Searches on a limited basis

Regional Presidents- Executive Searches, District Support

Mr. John Silveri Former Superintendent Waterford Schools S. E. Michigan

Mr. Tim Stein, Former Superintendent Flushing Community Schools, Central Michigan

Dr. John Scholten Former Superintendent Petoskey Schools, Northern Michigan

Mr. Andy Ingall, Former Superintendent Grand Haven Schools, Serving Districts with MLI in Searches, Mentoring, and Planning, South and West, Mi

Mr. Pete Haines- Former Superintendent, Ottawa ISD - Associate President, S.W. Michigan

Mrs. Lisa Hook -Administrative Assistant

Dr. Lisa Hagel, Former Superintendent at Genesee ISD and Mt. Morris Schools,

Executive Director. (810) 591-3251

Follow Michigan Leadership Institute on Twitter!