Paul Liabenow — Executive Director of The Michigan Elementary Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA).

Michael Domagalski — Principal of St. Clair Middle School within the East China School District in St Clair, Michigan

The Takeaway

The Michigan Elementary Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA) facilitates conversations among school communities to bring together the vision and voices of many districts. Such communication establishes a plan for a better future while working in the present. Constant discussion helps leaders learn new methods, update their vision, and address the current implications of trauma-informed learning.

“We are as an organization trying to drive forward the urgency and the importance of focusing on trauma and its impact on student achievement —helping create a welcoming environment to social emotional learning training both for teachers and for students, and quite frankly, for the sake of teachers. And so as you hear me say, ‘A people without a vision will perish.’”

Our guests

Paul Liabenow joined the MEMSPA staff as Executive Director in 2012. He has dedicated his 38 years in education to Michigan’s youth. With degrees from Michigan State University and Central Michigan University, Paul joined Cadillac Area Public Schools where he worked his way through the ranks of teacher, building leader, principal and district superintendent. Today, Paul is working to build a community of educators dedicated to advocating, leading, and learning. He is also currently serving as Treasurer of Michigan Association of After School Partnerships, President of The Center for Education Improvement, President of Core Communications, President of The MEMSPA Foundation, and Board Member of the Michigan Assessment Consortium. Paul is co-author of Visioning Onward providing guidance for school leaders on the visioning process.

“What we've done here is create a platform, or mentality for action for dealing with issues such as student trauma. It started with a vision, it started with identifying an issue. And we could not deflect it anymore. We couldn't deflect it on ‘Well, that's the parent’s job. Well, that's the counselor’s job.’ That is a completely fixed mindset. We need to absolutely go to a growth, or innovator’s, mindset to start thinking about, ‘You know what, it's all of our jobs.’”

Michael Domagalski is the current president of the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals association. He is known for founding #MEMSPAchat, which is MEMSPA's weekly twitter chat, occurring each Thursday at 8pm. Mike has served on the MEMSPA Board of Directors since 2015. He is the current principal of St. Clair Middle School within the East China School District in St Clair, Michigan. He serves as the leader of the 5th-8th grade building of 700 students. Along with his administrative responsibilities, Mike serves as president of the East China Education Foundation.

As you listen

What is TIPPS and how does it work?
What knowledge do teachers gain from training in social emotional learning (SEL)?
What are the academic and emotional benefits of SEL?
How can teachers and parents make their school community more emotionally positive and safe for students?
What are the essential points needed to ensure a vision is continuously on track?