LEADERSHIP MEMO
August/September 2025
From the Executive Director
Team,
Greetings and best wishes to each of you as we collectively prepare for what will be an amazing 2025-2026 school year! If you recall from my final message for the 2024-2025 school year I asked you all to reflect on what had gone well, what needed tweaking or even overhaul, and how your leadership was the catalyst for much of the great work that occurred during the year. Much of this reflection no doubt took place in conjunction with your leadership teams and perhaps even helped to inform what you and your teams are currently planning to undertake and implement moving forward. The one constant throughout the reflection process and subsequent generating of ideas and plans is YOU and the leadership presence and guidance you bring to the table. Your impact is undeniable and your influence is far reaching. Thank you all for what you have done, are doing and will do during this upcoming year!
As we all know, outside influences always have an effect on our work and in many ways our main task is keeping ourselves and our teams focused on what we can control (i.e. our attitudes, our outlooks, our interactions with others and how we choose to see the future of our work). Organizationally MASSP is no different. We are continuing to seek ways to provide you with quality professional development and growth opportunities, chances to network with colleagues from across the state, to provide you with updated information on what is most relevant to you as school leaders, to advocate for your best interests at the local, state and national level, and to ensure that you are supported as you engage in the critical work of leading schools. Remember this: "A great leader transforms every challenge into an opportunity for growth". You all certainly live and breathe this each and every day!
As I move closer to the completion of my first full year in this role, I more fully appreciate the part that we can play as an organization in the professional lives of our members. I have said on numerous occasions please do not hesitate to contact me directly with any thoughts, ideas, questions or concerns that you may have that we should consider as an organization. We are only as impactful as each of you and your involvement in our work!
I wish each of you a very enjoyable end of summer (please take advantage of any time you can before the mad rush begins in earnest!) and thank you again for what you do for our students, families, staffs and communities. YOU are the difference makers!
Sincerely,
Chris
443-545-9988
We welcome Kris Hemstetter, Principal of Kent County High School, as our new President of MASSP and our High School Principal of the Year! Kris brings a wealth of experience across all levels of school leadership and is excited to bring new ideas and approaches as we work together to support the needs of our members. Be on the lookout for messages from Kris in future Leadership Memos. Thank you Kris for your leadership as we move forward!
Now is the time to register for Maryland's premier professional development event focused on school leaders, planned by school leaders, and delivered by school leaders! Click on the conference graphic for more information! We can't wait to see you there!
Our new website is up and running! Check it out at Home - Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals. While you're there give a shout out using this link: Submit a "Shout Out" - Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals - Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals
We are always looking for ways to upgrade and improve. Feel free to contact Chris Truffer at cmtruffer@mdmassp.org with thoughts or ideas!
We are still accepting nominations for assistant principals and principals as MASSP "Leadership Champions"! Please use the link to nominate a deserving colleague or team member: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1R_ezh_cMznZglGkKvwzTcTIXyqOiRoqxR6HdVBC6NnQ/edit
We will be recognizing our winners at the fall conference, November 6-8, 2025, at the Ashore in Ocean City, MD!
We are pleased to announce that through a partnership with Learning Forward we will be presenting monthly professional development sessions from October to April on relevant topics based on feedback and input from our members. The sessions will be co-planned and presented by MASSP members and team members from learning Forward. be on the lookout for more information regarding these relevant and engaging sessions!
As we prepare for a new school year we are gearing up to advocate for YOU and for what is most impactful for our members. Our areas of focus for this upcoming year were determined following input and feedback from our members and Board of Directors. We will be providing more information regarding those points of emphasis as we move forward.
From The Social Institute!
The Social Institute invites you to the Equipping A.I.-Ready Graduates Webinar Series to explore actionable strategies for staying ahead of the A.I. curve and equipping your entire school community with future-ready skills . Educators can join one of the sessions below or all three by clicking here and will walk away with tangible resources, student-informed ideas, and renewed confidence. We hope to see you there!
📅 August 14 – The Innovative School’s A.I. Policy Playbook: Real Strategies to Empower A.I.-Ready Students
📅 August 19 – Equipping A.I.-Ready Graduates: How to Train Teachers and Bring A.I. Literacy to Life Across Your School Day
📅 August 21 – A.I. According to Students: What They Know and Want to Know, and How Educators Can Help
Explore these back-to-school resources that empower you to navigate A.I., cell phone policies, and student well-being for an impactful school year!
Create and Enforce Cell Phone Policies with Student Buy-In📱
- [EDUCATOR'S GUIDE] How to create classroom policies for cell phone and device use, while getting student buy-in. Download the free guide >>
- [UPCOMING WEBINAR] Navigating Digital Distractions: Proactive strategies for managing cell phone policies in schools. Register now >>
Teach A.I. Literacy + Strengthen Critical Thinking Skills 💪
- [WHITE PAPER] Ready For Now: How A.I., Media, and Digital Literacy are shaping K-12 student learning and well-being. Read now >>
- [SCHOOL LEADER GUIDE] How to create effective & clear A.I. policies with student voice & buy-in. Download the free guide >>
- [EDUCATOR GUIDE] How to equip students to spot deepfake A.I.-generated content and navigate misinformation online.
Download the free guide >>
Better Understand How Social Media and Tech
Shape Student Experiences ⭐
- [INSIGHTS GUIDE] 2025 Student Insights Report: Dive deeper into students' social worlds and better understand how tech impact their lives. Read now >>
- [STUDENT REPORT] The 2025 Social Student Report: Navigating A.I., devices, social media, and more in schools. Read now >>
Learn more about how you can empower your students to use their personal and school-issued devices responsibly by contacting us!
The Social Institute empowers students, educators, and families to navigate emerging tech trends, like A.I., social media, and device use positively to fuel their health, happiness, and future success.
Hello there,
Maryland’s state-funded Pathways to Literacy Leadership (PLL) course is built for leaders ready to deepen their impact and registration closes soon.
This hybrid professional learning experience equips school and district leaders with the tools to build effective literacy systems aligned to the Science of Reading. With two full-day, in-person Community of Practice sessions and flexible online modules, PLL is designed for busy administrators and coaches who want to strengthen their instructional leadership.
Already, more than 450 Maryland leaders and coaches have enrolled in PLL and participants report a 24% increase in literacy leadership knowledge. In fact, 82% say they valued the peer collaboration most.
Quick Facts
- Designed for administrators, coaches, and central office leaders
- Includes 10 online sections and 2 in-person sessions
- Takes ~30 hours total
- Earn 2 CPD credits
- Fully funded: no cost to your school or district
- Registration deadline: August 8
Know a colleague who would benefit from this opportunity? Leaders across Maryland are building their structured literacy strategy and expertise. Feel free to forward this message and encourage others on your team to register.
Looking to go beyond PLL? AIM offers additional professional learning options that align with local priorities and federal grant goals, including CLSD. Explore additional options with AIM.
Sincerely,
Your Friends at AIM
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!
Link to the video of the March 2025 Meeting:
Meeting of the Maryland State Board of Education | Tuesday, March 25, 2025 | 9:00am - 5:30pm EDTof
Minutes of the March 2025 meeting: 3.25.25-Board-Meeting-Minutes-A.pdf
Link to the video of the April 2025 Meeting:
Meeting of the Maryland State Board of Education | Tuesday, April 29, 2025 | 9 am - 5:30 pm EST
Minutes of the April 2025 Meeting: 4.29.25-Board-Meeting-Minutes-A.pdf
Link to the video of the May 2025 Meeting: Maryland State Board of Education Meeting
Minutes of the May 2025 Meeting5.29.25-Board-Meeting-Minutes-A.pdf
Link to the video of the June 2025 Meeting: Maryland State Board of Education Meeting
Link to the video of the July 2025 Meeting: Maryland State Board of Education Meeting
Here is the link to the July MASC Bulletin:
Here is the link for the May MASC Bulletin:
Here is the link for the April MASC Bulletin:
Here is the link for the March MASC Bulletin:
Contact us or visit the MASSP website
