Team Mason: Excellence in Action

When I first heard about Robert Fulghum’s book, ll I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, I laughed and thought, “Now that’s a catchy title!”

In further investigation, I found his text consisted of 50 essays focusing on essential lessons such as telling the truth, putting things back where you found them, being kind to one another and washing your hands before eating. Yes, these skills do apply to adults, too!

The importance of kindergarten was brought to my attention again recently in reading Adam Grant’s latest book entitled, Hidden Potential. In the prologue he cites Raj Chetty, one of the world’s influential economists who did a series of experiments regarding the variables that impact learning. One of the most stunning results he found was that excellence depends less on natural talent than you might expect. He found you can trace the success of adults by what happens to them in kindergarten - now that is profound!

My brain started dancing and I decided to spend the first week of school at Harvey Education Center (HEC). I visited all sections for extended periods of time to get a heavy dose of the kindergarten launch. To be honest with you, I was awestruck!

Our Mason Public Schools (MPS) mission is to “Create an Exemplary Learning Community: Every Student, Every Day” and to see our phenomenal teachers attempting to enact these words the first week of school was nothing short of amazing!

I observed a host of songs being sung, children’s stories read, opportunities for free play, short videos being watched, calming strategies being practiced, modeling cutting and pasting and practicing using play dough by following certain rules - all of this in the spirit of learning how to function with 20 other friends.

When digging a little deeper you realize these students are learning a ton of skills essential to not only K-12 school, but for successful adulthood. The children are learning to be proactive by asking questions, volunteering answers and engaging with the teacher. They are acquiring prosocial skills such as getting along with peers and working together as well as learning how to self-monitor, how to pay attention and how to resist the impulse to disrupt. They are also learning how to become resilient in the face of trying things they’ve never experienced before.

No question, Fulghum was definitely on to something when he wrote his book. While it would be hard to claim children potentially learn all they need to know in kindergarten to be highly successful adults, they are exposed to a lot. When families and friends reinforce these powerful life skills, our MPS kindergarteners, taught by our five-star kindergarten faculty, hold enormous promise for our future! So, what are your thoughts on kindergarten? Do you think it matters? 

Mason Middle School had it “going on” during a career exploration event thanks to Tiffany Henfling and the middle school team who were instrumental in arranging for 7th and 8th graders to connect with individuals in our local area and learn about career opportunities. 

Students were exposed to a variety of career options including pursuing a four-year college pathway, a two-year technical pathway, or a high school diploma. 

Presenters included the human resources director of Gestamp Mason, a local manufacturing company, who reminded students that although they are local, they are a global company with many opportunities. He described the pay range based on credentials and underscored the value of having special skill sets such as speaking a second language. A representative from Lansing Community College opened middle schoolers’ eyes to apprenticeships and a wide range of skilled trade possibilities, and a military officer laid out the range of choices for those who view that field with high interest.

These sessions were about giving our Mason students a “jump start” to building career identity, fostering a sense of hope, and creating a mindset that anything is possible. The presentations were also designed to help our students discover their interests, values, and see themselves as contributors to the world – a secret to acquiring a strong sense of self. 

Throughout the day, subtle messages were woven into the narrative emphasizing the importance of education, seizing opportunities as they are presented, prioritizing homework, and meeting deadlines. 

In fact, one presenter reminded our middle schoolers that the real world is not very forgiving. This puts them on notice for what successful learners do!

Finally, this amazingly rich, informational day reminded the adults of the power of being intentional about connecting our instruction to the real world of work. It can help alleviate the ever-frustrating inquiry, “Why do I need to learn this?”

Without question, this day was a real eye-opener. For some, it might have even been a game changer!

Where can you learn about a drone and study its movements as it floats through the clouds, learn about robots, do coding, and make ice cream all in a single day? Believe it or not, that was on the agenda for STEM Day for 1st and 2nd graders at North Aurelius. Thanks to the meticulous and in-depth planning by the teachers, it truly was a day of Wows and Wonders!

While the day may have sounded chaotic, it was quite the opposite. Every session was launched with a mini lesson delivered by teachers and faculty from Michigan State University, Ingham Intermediate School District and Mason Public Schools. Then, each presenter set the stage by establishing context, discussing the big ideas, and providing a brief demonstration. This was followed with an authentic “hands-on” experience and concluded with a review and reflection. In my wildest dreams, I couldn’t imagine a child not wanting to pursue a career in the sciences after this great day!

The level of student engagement was through the roof as students experienced inquiry at its best! They had enough “I wonder” prompts to encourage more learning by frequenting the local libraries, paying a visit to a museum, setting up some experiments at home, joining a STEM club, watching robot videos online, or maybe even making ice cream!

While you are probably saying, “that STEM Day sounds like it was a great experience, what about the 179 other days in the classroom?” Rest assured, this day provided a terrific culmination to a host of mini learning opportunities threaded throughout the year, it is simply days like this that provide the fuel for future learning and excitement!

The joy of curiosity to learn more undoubtedly made an indelible mark for many of the students. While we may not see the positive “fallout” until they are young adults pursuing careers in the sciences, I predict more than one will say, “It all started when I was an early elementary student in Mason.”

Thanks to Jeri Loomis, Sarah Boutwell, Marissa Krantz, Ashley Cox, Katie Burkhart, and Laura Showers for an amazing day!

“You are amazing.” “I’m so proud of you!” “I had no idea you could do that!” “Thank you for what you are doing for my child.” These familiar comments are typically heard after a sporting event or musical production, but when was the last time you heard such rave reviews after a conference addressing core content?

When the 6th grade team, affectionately known as the Quad Squad, sent home the flyer inviting families to a student showcase this spring, they really didn’t know what to expect regarding the response. In their flyers, they clearly stated that they wanted families to celebrate their children’s accomplishments, and this event would take place in lieu of spring conferences. 

This team, whose mantra is, “even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there,” had admittedly felt empty after conferences over the past few years. Only a small number of families had participated, and the short, online format didn’t give teachers much opportunity to really connect with families.  

Make no mistake, it was a leap of faith to dramatically shift gears, have students create portfolios, discuss them periodically in class, and make decisions about which ones to feature at the student showcase. They discussed the big “ah has”, what could be done differently next time, what they needed help with, and more while the students learned the power of owning their own work! 

The model worked! More than 70% of families took part in the event, which was a real testimony to the interest and support. Better yet, to see family members grinning ear to ear and literally skipping down the hall on their way out the door, was the best measure of impact. Students felt empowered. They had been active participants in their learning, had reflected on their achievements, articulated their needs and wants, and truly celebrated their successes.  

Stepping out of the box is inspiring, sometimes traumatic, and often feels risky - yet, proven to be growth producing!

Carla Richards, Dawn Matthews, and Jen Buskirk are committed to continuing and refining this amazing learning opportunity for students and their families next year with the hope that 100% of families will choose this option.

I had the rare opportunity to join our Harvey students for a session with Supriya Kelkar, an award-winning author, illustrator and screenwriter. She was honored last year by the Michigan House of Representatives for her contributions to children’s literature. Earlier this year, she shared her gifts with the children at Steele and North Aurelius elementaries.

She began with her personal story, including her role as a mom and her experiences as a child. She even shared stories about her children and how they inform her writing and illustrating. 

She explained how, as a kindergartener, she got frustrated when her unique name was often mispronounced and misunderstood. She literally took this problem, which she clearly remembers as an adult, and turned it into an opportunity by writing a children’s book entitled, My Name. As she read it to more than 300 Harvey students, there was no question about the connections they made. She had truly touched their heads and hearts!

After pointing out unique illustrators in the story, she asked the students to become illustrators. They were “into it.” Of course, she modeled and explained the power of visuals, underscoring the idea that, while they can illustrate now in school, one day that could be their career. 

Students were given the opportunity to ask Supriya Kelkar questions – a risky proposition with 300 kindergarteners! The number of children anxiously waiting to pose a query said it all! Their questions were mighty profound for 5-year-olds asking things like, “Why do you love to write?” “What’s your favorite thing about writing?” “Where do you get your ideas?” “Why do you often use collage as a style of illustrating?”

First impressions are often long lasting, and who knows, maybe spending time with an award-winning author made an indelible mark! Some of these children might follow her trajectory or take an enhanced interest in writing or art starting now. Other students, who may grapple with a challenge in their life, could go on to turn those challenges into a children’s book someday. 

We have Angie Moore to thank for preparing our children for this event by reading and discussing all the children’s books Supriya has written, as well as sharing her cultural background and making all the arrangements for the visit. 

Stay tuned! You may see one or more of our “Harvey graduates” names on the bookshelf!

Look no further - I am convinced our Mason third graders could help you out! During Market Day at Alaiedon Elementary School, I was pleasantly surprised to discover undoubtedly the most enthusiastic group of third grade vendors I have ever witnessed – and I have been at a host of markets around the globe. 

Not only were they “pumped” for the buying and selling, but they also believed in the goods and services they had to offer. They were steeped in understanding while applying advertising and marketing strategies to their products. They could even explain how supply and demand worked. Because of the nature of the goods and services they were offering, it was obvious they had tuned in to their target audience and when asked about pricing, they had a grasp of what they needed to do to make a profit. 

While the depth of knowledge about these economic concepts will come later, preliminary understanding, along with “wows and wonders” have been established. So, trust me and dial up a 3rd grader if you are starting a business and need affordable consulting. You’ll be amazed at what can be offered! 

Thank you to Alaiedon teachers Rebecca Murray, Rebecca Newsome, and Brad McNeil for this great day!

Do you have any idea what Tractor Nation is? I’m here to tell you that it is more than I can ever conceptualize. Yes, it is the name given to our K-12 Mason robotics program that has more than 300 students engaged in a branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots.  

However, if you dig a little deeper, you find out it is the impetus for promoting STEM in K-12 classes, fostering student leadership, and supporting our community outside of robotics with a host of service projects.  

In the past year, robotics students planted geraniums at the Mason Cemetery for Memorial Day, assisted a local farmer with harvest, and helped the Lansing Food Bank with its distributions. These projects serve as a great bonding experience for students, allowing everyone to work toward a positive goal and learn the value of uplifting others.  

Obviously, Tractor Nation places a huge emphasis on life skills such as team building, decision making, problem finding/solving, communication, and leadership. At a recent robotics fair at the high school, I met with the team’s leadership and had the rare privilege of being asked to critique a “dry run” of the team speech – done without notes, no less. I was blown away and little did I realize, a few days later, they were presented with the highest rating in the state! They are cruising and have hopes of being Hall of Famers! 

Tractor Nation at Mason, with its fantastic teachers, community and school volunteers, and, most importantly, eager learners of all ages, started with just five students in a physics class. It has become an impressive, inclusive treasure! Its zillion competitions and honors have heads spinning! Hang on, the Tractor Nation party has just begun! 

Who says teachers have a soft job with summers off and weekends to themselves?  

Three of our very own Mason masterful teachers recently gave an entire weekend to attend the Michigan Reading Association’s annual conference in Lansing. Not only did they attend a host of sessions, but they also presented at the conference.   

It did take a little nudging for them to get their stunning work on paper and submitted for consideration, but Jen Meeuwenberg, Ashley Cox, and Mark Sundermann ended up presenting to full rooms of educators eager to learn about Reading Buddies and Academic Teams using the Harkness Discussion Technique.  

During their presentation at the conference, they shared video clips, artifacts, student testimonials, sample handouts, and anecdotal notes describing new friendships and positive behavioral changes. All of this clearly indicates the in-class initiatives have improved student efficacy, showing noticeable gains.  

These talented teachers had established professional goals to go beyond expectations and they’ve seen dramatic results. I’m proud to say I have had the privilege of seeing the fruits of this labor in their classrooms and plaudits are in order! 

At North Aurelius almost every classroom is implementing hybrids of this dynamic reading buddy practice. Sundermann’s Academic Teams Model has caught the attention of peers, and I suspect others will soon want to “get their feet wet.” 

Guidelines for the Harkness Discussion Techniques, which Sundermann shared at the conference, include no hand raising during conversations and students directing comments and queries to fellow classmates (not to the teacher), unless asked to do so. This is student voice at its best with these three classrooms living the theme “every voice matters.” 

Our teachers are not only doing amazing things five days a week, but also during the summers and on weekends, when they can be seen in bookstores finding the right new book for a Read Aloud, attending a conference, participating in a book club, or getting together with colleagues over coffee to prep for the upcoming year. Summers and weekends off? No way! 

In April, Mason Middle School hosted their annual Evening of the Arts, a great showcase of the talented students we have in our midst!  

Of course, Mason has terrific athletic teams, and robotics continues to explode, but our arts programs are nothing short of amazing! I had the good fortune of observing our students in action as they prepared for the event.  

I must confess, having an authentic audience is a magical motivator for students and faculty that yields big results and reminds them how much each of them matters! Thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy schedule to attend the event. 

School needs to be a place where we learn to make bold, courageous, creative, and unique contributions and have them celebrated. Evening of the Arts did just that! 

The digital art installation of our school buildings and Mason Main Street was spectacular; the choirs showcased great vocal resonance; the bands showed evidence of stamina and dedication to practicing; and the drama component, focusing on monologues, revealed the power of connecting to their audience.  

Thank you, Tracy Casali, Marty Frew, Amber McRay, Beth Bousfield, and Jared Copeland for sharing your gifts with Mason Middle Students and our community. You matter! 

It’s amazing what you find when you keep your eyes and ears open! Recently, I had a break in my schedule at Harvey Education Center and Mrs. Chiarini asked me if I wanted to join the kindergartners for” Second Step”, a Board-approved program. I sure am glad I did!

Imagine 100 kindergartners sitting on a huge rug in the media center learning from their teacher team (Angie Chiarini, Lisa Harless, Rachael Huntley, and Danielle Spearman) about managing disappointment!

Guess what? There were some tools modeled by the teacher team that could probably serve as refreshers for many adults. If you have a connection to children at Harvey, consider asking them for a tutorial about disappointment. You will be amazed at what you will learn – and what they share may preclude you from freaking out the next time you are disappointed!

Time simply evaporated as the four kindergarten teachers taught the lesson using singing, role play, a game, and a video to engage students by having them actively participate to process, acknowledge, and learn how to manage feelings associated with disappointments.

While students found humor in watching their teachers role play inappropriate behavior, as well as appropriate responses, the importance of reinforcing the positive was obvious. The energy and talent of the teachers had you believing they were auditioning for a TV show – and those students were “all in.”

Yes, on this day, these students were entertained. However, there was no question they were also learning. Of course, the proof is in their actions. The good news is these children not only learned about emotions they face, but also the “why” and “how” of managing them successfully. Learning to listen, focusing attention, handling conflict with friends, and fair ways to play are among the host of lessons within the curriculum. To me, they all sound like authentic learning opportunities needed to navigate a successful life!

Check out our new strategic plan and note we have already started to implement what we promise every student every day. Stay tuned for my next “find” in the district!

The talents among our teachers in Mason never cease to amaze me. With their workloads and district expectations, personal responsibilities, and I might add, their hesitancy to present in front of their peers, they aren’t breaking down the doors to showcase their gifts.

Make no mistake, they don’t earn big bucks for presenting, but a few of our faculty, with much prodding, are beginning to step forth! It’s exciting, and a terrific way to prove you don’t have to drive 100 miles to be considered an expert.

Recently, Jen Meeuwenberg stepped to the plate for a North Aurelius faculty meeting and offered to share her new twist in math. She spent some time this summer working on new strategies to get students more engaged. She had come to the realization that, too frequently, she felt like she was doing all the thinking for her 4th graders. After poking around in the literature, she landed on the work of Peter Liljedahl and his book, Thinking Classrooms, and she was hooked. During the year she has been implementing and studying the process with her 4th graders.

During her presentation she made several key points regarding thinking, motivation, and engagement while attendees participated in the process. To really get it, you must do it! The room was filled with enthusiasm and the ‘seed’ had been planted. Of course, my curiosity got the best of me, and I set a date with Jen to observe this process in action in her classroom.

In her classroom, she set the stage for the session and established the learning target and moved students into their large writing spaces. The students stood and worked together using non-permanent markers to foster collaboration, accountability, low risk, and high-level engagement. Students were assessed not only on team outcomes, but other things such as perseverance, their ability to express their thinking, and the ways they challenged their teammates.

At the conclusion of a skillfully orchestrated, interactive lesson, students reconvened on the rug to debrief and reflect on what they had learned. I was convinced that Jen’s 4th graders had worked their brains mighty hard, had persevered, and had met the target during the class!

Thank, Jen! Word on the street is, ‘there are peers who are going to harvest your talent by replicating this process in their classrooms.’

“Vote like your democracy depends on it.” How profound! These were the words of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, as she spoke to a room full of our Mason High School students from the Youth and Government Club and our law classes. Plaudits to Brittany Catalano and Hilary Schroeder for arranging another amazing experience for our Mason youth!

For one full hour, her message commanded the attention of the audience as she highlighted the most salient elements of her work life, tantalized our learners with the array of career possibilities in political science, and nudged the listeners to consider a host of opportunities to pursue in public service.

Dana Nessel invited students to become active in government now by doing things like seeking high school internships with government officials, volunteering in public service, and doing due diligence on political information that hits the air waves. She assured our students that the more they learn about the inner workings of government, the more trust they will have in it, and realize the extraordinary importance of democracy.

Finally, she reminded our students that, as a sixteen-year-old, you are not only eligible to apply for a driver’s license, but you are automatically pre-registered for voting at eighteen. A tremendous gift and way to exercise agency! She underscored the idea- it is not only a right, but also a responsibility!

Given the passion Dana Nessel expressed, and the connections she made with her audience, I’m convinced those individuals eligible to vote in November will do so with gusto, remembering her words, “Vote like your democracy depends on it!”

Did you know Professor Derek Burkholder, a marine biologist from Nova Southeastern University in Florida and a Mason High School graduate, was at Steele Elementary recently? Many of you may be thinking, “Now that must have cost the school district a chunk of money!” Guess again, the trip was free because his visit was virtual!

As someone who attended the session, I can’t imagine these fourth-grade students being any more excited if he presented in person. The students were highly engaged and posed sophisticated and well-crafted questions!

I, of course, wanted to know the back story about the visit, so I went to Katie Wiseman who invited Derek to meet with the fourth graders. Katie revealed that she had grown up with Derek and maintained a friendship over the years. When Katie, a new teacher at Mason, realized the fourth-grade literacy program presents several essential questions and stories about animals, larding in skills such as point of view, main ideas, and supporting details, and with a host of students excited about sharks, she immediately thought of Derek. The rest is history!

These fourth graders have learned a ton about sharks. Plus, for several students, it has opened the door to explore a science field they might want to pursue as adults. They met a new role model who has opened their eyes to the power of reading and research to expand their horizons and nurture their curiosities. They may find themselves saying, “If Derek Burkholder, a hometown Mason kid can grow up to be a marine biologist, so can I.”

Preparing our students for the real world is part of our new strategic plan, and for these fourth graders, the virtual experience was prudent, powerful, and illustrative of how our teachers find ways to bring our words to life while still being cost effective. What alum can we tap next?

I attended Mark Sundermann’s 10A English class only to discover a creative seating arrangement in his classroom. Students were seated in a square, giving all of them a chance to actually look at each other! A feeling of trust and community prevailed, and wow did it feel safe and caring!

In addition, the class took part in four minutes of mindfulness, which you might not be able to comprehend unless you experience it regularly, to set the tone for a powerful session.

The class had been reading and discussing A Midsummer Night's Dream (undoubtedly, for some, not the most engaging piece of literature they’d ever read). However, I hasten to say, given the framing of the questions and the learning opportunities these students were” including discussing the text, movie segments, unique questions, text to text, and text to self-connecting, the students were engaged and “into it.

On this day, Mark was using the Harkness Technique – a terrific way to engage student voice! Harkness is described as a pedagogical practice that hones students’ interpersonal skills and helps them grapple with mature ways of disagreeing. Students must listen to others, connect key points, and monitor their own conversations. Because they must prepare in advance, students have to think and build confidence to take part in the group conversation.

The Harkness model is one that fosters connections to text, to other pieces of literature, and perhaps, most importantly, to their personal lives. This, of course, is essential for our students, giving them a reason to care about the content.

Mr. Sundermann ‘makes it happen’ even in a small space!

Recently, I had the privilege of visiting a team-taught WIN (What I Need) class at Steele Elementary. The smiles on the children’s faces as they filed into this lovely classroom told me this was a special space – and one that brings them joy.

Trish Byrnes and Angie Thompson were just as geeked as the students – and for 30 minutes, no one missed a beat! The target for the session was, “I can determine point of view in the text.” Mini chunks of “teacher talk” and modeling followed by student “chews” (applications), kept these learners on task.

Students made smooth transitions to oral and choral reading and then to writing while engaging in teacher/student interaction.

I was especially taken with the amount of emotion and imagery put into instruction which exemplifies one of my favorite sayings, “If you don’t feel anything, knowing is not enough.”

For these WIN kiddos, they are “on it.” Judging by their responses, verbally and visually, it was an impactful and successful session that met the target. Time simply evaporated!

While these children have been identified as needing support for the target skill, their need was being met in a space that’s far from punitive. In fact, it’s actually very rewarding! As for Trish and Angie, their orchestration was remarkable – even without a baton!

Star light, star bright, what do I wish for tonight? I wish for more individuals who enter the education profession to have the opportunity to be mentored by two of Mason Public Schools’ stars, both who recently received well-deserved honors.

Cindy Hyaduck was this year’s recipient of the Mason Public School Foundation “Top Dog” Award. She has been a part of our district for 42 years as a teacher and has been instrumental in developing, and enacting, a host of individualized curriculum materials designed to address the needs of every child.

She has diligently built relationships with state, county, and local organizations and has designed an amazing Special Olympics Program.

One of the events she orchestrates is the annual Ability Awareness Day, which takes place at the high school with major help from Unified Partners from the middle and high school.

What a thrill it was to observe the 80 students in attendance who improved many skills by rotating through 20 stations - including kicking soccer balls, playing basketball, and showing off their best yoga moves. Students were reuniting with former classmates and were introduced to teachers they might have next year. The joy revealed in their beautiful faces said it all – a truly heartwarming experience! When you get down to the core, it’s Cindy who makes it happen!

Another star, Lauren Fusilier, was selected as this year’s recipient of the Mason Area Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Teacher Award. This award recognizes an individual who best exemplifies the teaching qualities that inspire students to learn and value education. In her role as PreK-12 Special Education Teacher Consultant, with enhanced responsibilities for Autism, her influence extends far beyond the four walls of a classroom. She serves as a mentor guide for fellow educators, sharing her wealth of knowledge, and expertise to enhance professional development across the district.

I had the privilege of participating in a session with individuals who are a part of the New Teacher Academy that she and our MTSS Consultant, Dr. Julie Grech-Kramer created. They “knocked it out of the park” as they shared practical strategies, explicit and subtle, that can be used in day-to-day functions of behavior and how to navigate them. They also raised awareness of how trauma impacts behavior and how to navigate those behaviors. Their presentation demanded serious note taking – and rest assured, no one left early!

The selection committees for the awards didn’t need to go to the planetarium to locate stars- these teachers, and their work, shine brightly across our district – and we thank them for their gifts.

My only regret is that every Masonite didn’t have the rich experience I encountered on April 8, 2024, at Mason Middle School (MMS). 

A solar eclipse is a big deal, and our middle schoolers had the opportunity to realize it! I spent the day looking, listening, and learning as I visited the science classes where our science team went the extra mile to locate excellent video clips, mini experiments, instructional activities, and data sources for supplemental reading about the experience.  

Our MMS science teachers also stayed after school to facilitate an opportunity for students to view the eclipse- something that won’t happen again for another 40 years! The school supplied NASA-approved glasses to every student, provided a telescope with proper filters for refined viewing, and even had pin-hole camera materials available for those who wanted to experience the eclipse with family at home! Our science team at MMS was on it!  

Across the district, other classes also engaged in age-appropriate learning activities for this highly engaging experience. It couldn’t have been more authentic!