LEADERSHIP MEMO
February/March
Team,
Greetings and Happy February to you! I don't think I am alone in being happy to see January go-the frigid weather and ice really threw us for a loop. I am highly confident you and your teams are getting things back on the right track for our students, staffs and communities-thank you for your perseverance and calm leadership!
In Kris Hemstetter's message you will see congratulations to each of our Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year winners. Congratulations, Ryan, Debbie, Andrea and Lyndsay! It is an honor and a privilege to have visited these amazing leaders who go above and beyond each and every day in leading their schools. They are also a testament to all of our school leaders!
I will keep my message for this edition short and focused on questions that you may have regarding the direction of NASSP and as a state affiliate, MASSP. You can expect more information coming out in the near future regarding our vision and direction. Let me emphatically state that MASSP will not shift our focus from empowering, developing and connecting our leaders moving forward. I will say also that we will also remain a strong partner with NASSP as they transition into a pre-K to 12 organization and we will continue to leverage our relationship with them. I have been discussing this important topic with our Executive Officers and members of our Board as well as other state executive directors and will facilitate ongoing dialogue to ensure we are all on the same page in our messaging and defining of next steps for our organization. Be on the lookout for further communications on this important topic over the next several weeks. In the meantime, if you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at any time via e-mail or phone.
In conclusion, please know that I value and appreciate each of you and the work you do on behalf of our students, schools and communities. Take care and have a very successful second semester!
Always remember that YOU make a difference!
Sincerely,
Chris
443-545-9988
Dear Colleagues,
February gives us a meaningful opportunity to pause and celebrate the extraordinary leadership happening every day across Maryland—and to honor those whose work exemplifies the very best of our profession.
It is my privilege to also congratulate our Principals and Assistant Principals of the Year: Ryan Durr, Debbie Dennie, Andrea Cannady, and Lyndsay Huerbin. These leaders represent the heart of MASSP. Through their commitment to students, staff, and communities, they model what it means to lead with courage, integrity, and purpose. While this recognition highlights four individuals, it reflects the excellence and dedication of principals and assistant principals across our state.
As we celebrate these accomplishments, we are also mindful of the growing complexity of our work. Principals and assistant principals continue to navigate staffing challenges, attendance concerns, culture and climate work, policy shifts, and increasing expectations—often simultaneously. The scope of the principalship continues to expand, making a strong, unified professional voice more important than ever.
That is why MASSP exists: to support principals, elevate the profession, and ensure our members are informed, connected, and represented.
This month, you will see that mission reflected through meaningful professional learning and opportunities to connect with colleagues across the state. We encourage members to take advantage of upcoming conferences and learning experiences, including the Assistant Principal and Aspiring Leader Conference on February 24, 2026, and the Women’s Leadership Conference on March 19, 2026, both held at the Maritime Conference Center. These gatherings are powerful opportunities to learn, reflect, and strengthen our leadership community.
At the center of all of this work remain two priorities: membership and advocacy.
Membership strengthens our collective voice. When more principals and assistant principals are engaged, MASSP is better positioned to advocate effectively at the state and national levels. I encourage each of us to serve as ambassadors—inviting colleagues to join and helping new and aspiring leaders see MASSP as their professional home.
Advocacy is not limited to legislation or testimony. Often, it begins by creating trusted spaces where school leaders can share their experiences, elevate real challenges, and learn from one another. MASSP plays a critical role in ensuring those voices are heard.
As President, my commitment is to continue leading MASSP as an organization grounded in trust, professionalism, and transparency—where principals and assistant principals know they are supported and never alone.
Thank you for your leadership, your engagement, and your continued commitment to Maryland’s students, staff, and communities. I am honored to serve alongside you.
With gratitude and pride,
Kris R. Hemstetter
President, Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals
2025 Maryland State High School Principal of the Year
Now is the time to register for our Assistant Principal and Aspiring Leader Conference which focuses on the professional growth and development of our assistant principals and those who aspire to become building based administrators. Our conference will feature Dr. Sonja Santelises, Baltimore City Schools CEO, as well as school based practitioners providing concurrent sessions on relevant and timely topics. In addition, there will be a panel session as well as breakfast and lunch included in the prices of registration. Register now by clicking the conference graphic to take advantage of networking with colleagues from across the state!
Be a part of our Second Annual MASSP Women's Leadership Conference on March 19, 2026 at the Maritime Conference Center! This professional development experience is designed with the specific needs of women leaders in mind. Our keynote is Dr. Monica Goldson, Vice President of the Maryland State Board of Education. We have a very strong roster or presenters and panelists. Come and network and grow with colleagues from across the state and beyond! Breakfast and lunch and included with your registration. Register now by clicking on the conference graphic!
Help spread the word about the benefits of being a member of MASSP!
As you know, there are many benefits to being a member of MASSP including professional growth opportunities, chances to extend leadership, attendance at conferences, networking with colleagues from across the state and affiliation with NASSP and access to national level resources, programs, and materials. In addition, our advocacy work ensures secondary level administrators have a voice at the state and national levels. We are only as strong as an organization as each of you.
As you know, we are partnering with Learning Forward to present virtual professional development sessions for building based leaders focused on relevant and timely topics. We have provided sessions on School Improvement, Providing Support to New and Conditional Teachers and Providing High Quality Feedback to Teachers. Our next session, on February 18th at 4:00 will focus on Building Effective Leadership Teams. Our presenter will be Principal Doug Dolan (La Plata High School).
On March 18 at 4:00 our session will focus on Student Culture, Connection and Outcomes and will be led by Principal Michael Brown (Wilde Lake High School).
Meeting links will be coming out ahead of the sessions. We look forward to seeing you there!
As you may know, the Maryland General Assembly has opened and we are monitoring bills that will potentially affect public education moving forward As you know, we continue to provide information sessions to update our building leaders. MASSP is helping to pilot a new legislation tracking program, Quorum. More to come as we see how the legislative landscape take shape around a number of pertinent topics.
Please see updates provided by our State Coordinator Linda Chandler at our January 24th Executive Board Meeting: State Coordinator Linda Chandler Updates 1-24-26
How will you plan on taking time to recognize and celebrate the many great things happening in your classrooms, schools and communities? Never hesitate to celebrate!
Here is the link to access all information related to Maryland State Board of Education meetings including agendas, minutes and videos: MD State Board Meeting Agendas Minutes and Videos
Here is the link to the February MASC Bulletin: https://app.smore.com/n/6fk28b
Contact us or visit the MASSP website
Thank you to our MASSP Partners
MASSP Partners:
American College of Education (ACE)
Avalon
EPI
Grand Canyon University
eDoctrina
AIM Institute
Imagine Learning
Maryland Non-Profit Partners:
Arts Education for Maryland Schools (AEMS)
Council of Educational, Administrative, Supervisory Organizations of Maryland (CEASOM)
Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC)
Maryland Center for School Safety (MCSS)
Special Olympics Maryland
