Mark Palmer, 2008 Candidate for President-Elect

Why am I seeking the President-Elect office of MASSP?
I believe in leading by example, just as I ask my students to give back to the community, it is important for me to give back to the profession. As principals we have more than just the responsibility of running our own building, we have a duty to serve all children in Michigan. I can help be a leader of all students through the MASSP. The MASSP has been a leader for secondary principals for years; it is time for me to take on more leadership for the MASSP.

What contributions can I make to the MASSP?
I have served on the Board of Directors for the past two years and have served on various committees for MASSP during my eleven years as a member. These experiences have helped me to gain much insight into how an association is operated and how it advocates for its members. I have learned a great deal about leadership through the MASSP and believe I have skills that can be used to help MASSP continue to be the leader in education associations in Michigan.

The job of a principal is to be an educational leader and advocate for our students. I have done much research and learning on how to be a leader in these exciting and challenging times in secondary education. I am very interested in applying the leadership skills I have gained to the MASSP.

What, in particular, qualifies me for the position?
For the first time in my career I can say that experience qualifies me to be President-Elect. I have been in education for more than twenty years and have served at many different positions that include coaching, teaching, athletic director, assistant principal and, principal. My experiences have been diverse ranging from schools of 500 to 1,700 students in rural and suburban areas. These experiences all serve some part in making me a qualified candidate.

Degrees I have earned:
B.S., Central Michigan University, 1988
M.A. in K-12 Administration, Michigan State University, 1993

Professional Experience:
1988-89, Athletic Director, Shepherd High School, Shepherd, MI
1989-96, Teacher of math and history, Fowlerville High School, Fowlerville, MI
1996-99, Associate Principal, Lake Orion High School, Lake Orion, MI
1999-Present, Principal, St. Johns High School, St. Johns, MI