MI SoundBoard

An ongoing conversation on the current state of public education in Michigan and nationwide. Listen along as MASB Executive Director Don Wotruba, CAE invites prominent education voices from across the nation to speak about what’s happening and the possible impact on students.

Behind the Curtain 04/12/2024

Behind the Curtain In this episode, Rick Dernberger, who serves on the MASB Board of Directors, Ottawa ISD board, and Zeeland Public Schools board, takes on the role of interviewer, putting MASB Executive Director Don Wotruba, CAE, in the guest seat. They discuss the various services and benefits offered by MASB, the importance of ongoing education for board members, the history of the organization and more. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/30779903

Shaping Special Education 03/29/2024

Shaping Special Education Join us for a discussion on the evolving landscape of special education with Abby Cypher, the Executive Director of the . We will cover topics such as funding changes and their impacts on both special and general education budgets, the role of paraeducators, and training programs. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/30549108

Game On: Podcasting in Schools 03/15/2024

Game On: Podcasting in Schools In this episode, we welcome Cedar Springs Superintendent Scott Smith along with high school students Evan Mattson and Ian VanderLugt. They provide an inside look at their unique podcast and video gaming collaboration, which bridges the gap between students and administration. We also explore the impact of social media and content creation on today's youth. Tune in to discover how open dialogue and collaboration are shaping the future of learning. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/30388048

From Local to National Impact 02/23/2024

From Local to National Impact Discover the crucial role that national organizations play in shaping public education. In this episode, we're joined by Don Hubler, who shares his journey from serving on a local school board to being a member of the Macomb ISD board, MASB Board of Directors, and president-elect of the National School Boards Association. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/30083483

Your Questions, Our Answers 02/09/2024

Your Questions, Our Answers Join Executive Director Don Wotruba, CAE, as he addresses insightful questions on a range of topics, including the MASB Board of Directors nomination process, the protocol for hiring superintendents, and more. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/29774148

Bizarre Bargaining Season 01/26/2024

Bizarre Bargaining Season We sit down with Legal Counsel and Director of Labor Relations/Policy Brad Banasik, J.D. to talk about the changes happening to labor relations and what you can expect this bargaining season. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/29665493

New Year, New MELG 01/12/2024

New Year, New MELG With a new calendar year underway, we look ahead to what 2024 may bring for Michigan public education. Joining us are Executive Directors Tina Kerr, Ph.D. from the , Robert Dwan, CFO, SFO from and Wendy Zdeb from the . /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/29443153

Michigan Superintendent of the Year 2024 12/08/2023

Michigan Superintendent of the Year 2024 Join Don as he sits down with the 2024 Michigan Superintendent of the Year, Dr. Jeffrey Collier from Saginaw ISD to discuss how it feels to be the first ISD superintendent to receive this award and about the important services and support ISDs can provide to their communities. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/28962843

AI Evolution in Education: A Boardroom Odyssey 11/24/2023

AI Evolution in Education: A Boardroom Odyssey In this episode, join Executive Director Don Wotruba, as he engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Jamey Fitzpatrick, President and CEO of Michigan Virtual, and Ken Dirkin, their Senior Director of MVLRI. Together, they delve into the implications of AI on public schools and student education. The conversation unravels the potential shifts, challenges, and opportunities that AI presents and explores actionable insights for school board members to proactively shape policies in response to this evolving landscape. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/28738783

Conversations With Michigan's Teacher of the Year 11/10/2023

Conversations With Michigan's Teacher of the Year Join us in this insightful episode as we sit down with the 2023-24 Michigan Teacher of the Year, Candice Jackson to discuss the crucial role of involving parents in their children's education and gain a firsthand perspective on the experiences of a minority teacher in the state. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/28529000

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood 10/27/2023

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood Take a listen to what you can expect at ALC 2023 when Executive Director Don Wotruba sits down with keynote speakers Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski. They talk about their book, When You Wonder, You’re Learning, and how the lessons from Mister Rogers are still valid today. You can also listen to their own podcast, , about engaging and equitable learning. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/28423058

Building a Safer Tomorrow 10/13/2023

Building a Safer Tomorrow Join Executive Director Don Wotruba, CAE as he speaks with the superintendent of Ron Koehler along with their Director of Safety and Security Sean Burns about the importance of planning ahead and sharing resources to keep our schools safe. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/28308116

Literacy First 09/20/2023

Literacy First Listen as MASB Executive Director Don Wotruba, CAE talks to Kevin Stotts, President of about how they are encouraging communities to work collectively on building literacy and not leaving it all on the shoulders of educators. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/28085414

The Business of Schools 09/06/2023

The Business of Schools Join MASB Executive Director Don Wotruba CAE as he speaks to new Executive Director Bob Dwan CFO SFO about the importance of school business offices and how MSBO works to support them. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/27950274

New MASB Board of Directors President Kathleen Moore 08/25/2023

New MASB Board of Directors President Kathleen Moore Join Don to learn more about our 2023-2024 MASB Board of Directors President Kathleen Moore. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/27832554

Boards That Learn Together, Lead Together 08/09/2023

Boards That Learn Together, Lead Together Join MASB Executive Director Don Wotruba as he talks with Assistant Director of Leadership Development Debbie Stair about how boards are more effective when they ask good questions, work towards their common goals and learn together. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/27701385

A Sense of Belonging 07/21/2023

A Sense of Belonging When students don't feel safe in their environment, it can impact their mental health, which in turn impacts their learning. In this episode, we speak with Brooke Davis, LMSW, Director of Diversity, Equity and Mental Health Services at Kenowa Hills Public Schools. We discuss the importance of mental health support for students and what board members can do to ensure that all students feel safe, supported, and able to be themselves at school. Davis will present on Mental Health Through the Lens of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Social-Emotional Learning at the upcoming on Friday, Aug. 11. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/27502587

Just Keep Searching 07/07/2023

Just Keep Searching Continuity, leadership and the way boards and superintendents handle turnover are important to high student achievement. Join Don and special guests Director of Leadership Development and Executive Search Services Greg Sieszputowski, M.Ed. and Assistant Director of Executive Search Services Jay Bennett, M.Ed. to talk about these topics and more, as they discuss the State of the Superintendency in Michigan. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/27392586

The Robot Ate My Homework! 06/14/2023

The Robot Ate My Homework! How can school districts model appropriate use of AI technologies for their students? Dr. Don Killingbeck of Hemlock Public Schools joins the podcast to talk about how his district uses artificial intelligence tools. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/27148305

The Student Mental Health Crisis 05/26/2023

The Student Mental Health Crisis How can school districts support students and address growing mental health concerns? In this episode, Managing Director of Strategic Alliances for Lauren Kazee joins us to discuss programs and solutions districts can implement to “Transform Research Into Action to Improve the Lives of Students.” /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/26937780

Meet the 2023 Principal of the Year 05/12/2023

Meet the 2023 Principal of the Year Principal Tony Koski is passionate about celebrating the students, staff, and parents of Northville High School. Join us as we learn more about the /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/26813466

Keep It Civil Not Civil War 04/21/2023

Keep It Civil Not Civil War In the midst of high-polarization and politicization, it’s become more important than ever to create space for civil discourse. What does that really mean? This episode explores how to engage others in constructive ways that don’t require consensus but openness and mutual respect. Greg Warsen, offers perspectives and guidance for school officials. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/26604567

Sharpening Board Member Skills 04/07/2023

Sharpening Board Member Skills Being a successful school board member takes a wide range of skills and understanding. To better support board members, MASB offers a number of classes that focus on the most essential information and practices for governing with excellence. In this episode, we talk with MASB’s own Certification Manager and Instructional Designer, Amy Rucker about opportunities for board member growth. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/26475516

Hot Topics on K-12 Legislation 03/24/2023

Hot Topics on K-12 Legislation The Michigan Legislature has a number of public education bills being acted on and considered. Hear from Sen. Dayna Polehanki about those that could most-greatly impact Michigan school districts. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/26332068

Budgeting Season Underway 03/10/2023

Budgeting Season Underway Gov. Gretchen Whitmer presented her to the Legislature on Feb. 8, 2023. Beth Bullion, M.P.A., Director for the Office of Education for the State Budget Office and Stephanie O'Dea, M.P.A., K-12 Education Policy Advisor for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer join us to discuss some highlights of the proposed budget and how it supports an equitable and exceptional education for all students. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/26181228

Boundless Support 02/24/2023

Boundless Support Michigan schools aren’t one-size-fits-all, and that means that it takes a team of advocates to represent their voices and needs. It’s no wonder that there are numerous organizations centered around serving and advocating for their member districts. In this episode, Executive Director of the , Peter Spadafore, joins us to discuss how their organization supports districts with the greatest educational needs who have historically been underserved by the educational system. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/26013147

Strategies for Success 02/10/2023

Strategies for Success Building and strengthening the board-superintendent relationship is one of the most important aspects of effective governance and with significant turnover in both areas, it’s no easy task. In this episode, Executive Director Tina Kerr, Ph.D. joins us to discuss strategies for strengthening relationships, working together cohesively and ways forward. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/25889886

“New Beginnings” 02/10/2023

“New Beginnings” Representation at the national level has always been important to Michigan school board members and MASB. In this episode, we talk with new Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer John Heim, Ph.D. from the about his background and how the association is moving forward and pivoting to serve its members. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/25889850

Ringing in 2023 With MELG 01/13/2023

Ringing in 2023 With MELG With a new calendar year underway, we look ahead to what 2023 may bring for Michigan public education. Joining us are Executive Directors Tina Kerr, Ph.D. from the , David Martell, CPA, CFO from and Wendy Zdeb from the . /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/25558848

A U.P. Perspective 12/23/2022

A U.P. Perspective It’s our annual conversation with the Michigan Teacher of the Year—Nanette Hanson from Escanaba Public Schools is the 2022-2023 recipient. She shares a U.P. connection with MASB Executive Director Don Wotruba, CAE and talks about her surprise at being nominated as well as her strong belief in building relationships with her students’ parents and social-emotional learning. /episode/index/show/misoundboard/id/25400043

MI SoundBoard

TOPICS