Learning
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January Newsletter
My January newsletter is out: • One year in reflection: Lots to learn, pumped to keep learning • Mental health and safety funding • A new series: Curriculum Committee Snapshot • Every Student. Every Word. Every Future: Embracing the Science of Reading story by the Traverse City Record-Eagle • National Advocacy Institute prep series with…
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Curriculum Committee Snapshot: Implementing our New Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) Curriculum
The TCAPS Curriculum Committee meets to guide and oversee teaching and learning across the district. These meetings bring together school board members, staff, and district leaders to review programs, monitor student progress, and discuss instructional strategies. The Curriculum Committee Snapshot is a new monthly series to help increase awareness and understanding of how this work…
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My 10 Biggest Takeaways from the 2025 Michigan Association of School Boards Annual Leadership Conference
My first Michigan Association of School Boards Annual Leadership Conference was fantastic — a great few days of learning, connecting, and recharging. Here are my 10 biggest takeaways: Lead with trust – Every decision we make as school board members helps shape community confidence and stability. Board self-reflection matters – Strong boards regularly assess how…
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TCAPS’ Chronic Absenteeism Rates Drop in 2024/25 – Important Work Ahead
Encouraging progress — and important work ahead. Our chronic absenteeism (students who miss more than 18 days of school/year) has dropped from 22.6% to 18.6% in just two years, even as Michigan’s statewide rate remains close to 30%. That’s real progress, thanks to the care and commitment of our educators, staff, and families. But we’re…
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A new 5-year plan for TCAPS – Excited for what we can accomplish together
Earlier this week, we unanimously approved a new 5-year Strategic Plan for TCAPS. This new plan builds on the work of our previous 3-year plan, carrying forward four focus areas and adding a new one: health, wellbeing, and school connectedness. It also aligns closely with our mission, vision, and values—including our shared commitment to inclusive education, equitable…
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My 10 takeaways from the Michigan Association of School Boards’ Summer Institute
1. Ethical Imperative – An ethical imperative is more than a guideline; it’s a moral principle that makes a course of action essential and binding — “do the right thing.” 2. Data-Informed Decisions – Using data helps ensure all students are learning, holds school boards accountable, and deepens the community’s understanding of our shared responsibility…
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A Community for Student Success: Building a Districtwide Tutoring Network
If equity becomes a pillar (and closing our student achievement gap becomes a priority) of our next strategic plan, what could/should a district-wide Student Success Network look like? One idea: a robust team of trained, intentional tutors to help level the playing field like this Math Club crew at Traverse Heights Elementary. They have been…
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