MASSP News Center

From The MIDDLE
Diane McMillan
Associate Director

“Change or Die!”

I was at the retirement reception for Dr. Mary Leiker, Kentwood Public Schools superintendent, this weekend when this quotation (obviously one of her favorites) flashed up on the screen during her tribute video.

There was a nervous laughter throughout the room as people recognized this quote as one of Dr. Leiker’s favorite sayings. But I starting wondering, what is it about change that makes us feel so nervous and uncomfortable? Is it true that unless we change, we die?

Middle level educators are being called upon to make some big changes during the next few years. New standards, new requirements, new policies and practices, more pressure for academic preparation, more accountability for student achievement with dwindling resources, and new instructional delivery methods and strategies are asked (demanded) daily by our stakeholders. We understand the sense of urgency to redesign our schools, but struggle against a system that is time-bound, tradition-oriented, and many times intractable.

These questions and others are answered by an excellent resource and training program for our Middle Level educators. The NASSP’s Breaking Ranks in the Middle: Strategies for Leading Middle Level Reform™ (BRIM) is recognized nationally for its comprehensive and coherent framework for middle grades reform.

Here are the highlights of BRIM training:

Learn the latest research and best practice in Middle Level Reform.

Deepen your knowledge of the Breaking Ranks in the Middle™.

Increase your leadership capacity to collaborate and support the implementation of Breaking Ranks in the Middle™.

Explore Breaking Ranks in the Middle™ tools and methods for collecting data.

Increase your knowledge of professional development resources and technical support services.

Build relationships for networking and support.

The six Michigan BRIM trainers have scheduled a Training of Trainers Workshop July 24-26 2007 here at the MELG Building in Lansing.

There are some special benefits to becoming a BRIM trainer:

• Train your entire building staff in BRIM
• Present and/or train others in your district, state and even the nation as part of MASSP’s cadre of trainers.
• Receive an honorarium from MASSP when you deliver 2 day or 3 day trainings outside of your building
• Join the NASSP and MASSP BRIM and BR II Listserv

The cost for the 3-day training is $525, which includes the license to use the program back at your school with your faculty, the text, training materials, breaks, continental breakfast and lunch each day. Participants will be responsible for their own travel and room accommodations. The registration deadline for this excellent opportunity is July 6, 2007. Registration and more information will be available on the MASSP website shortly.

Through this training, we hope to expand the network of BRIM trainers in Michigan, collaborate with our high school Breaking Ranks II trainers, and advance middle grades redesign in Michigan.

This is our opportunity to lead change and not die! Don’t delay. Sign up early to secure your spot.