Dear MAISA Members,

Our time in Kalamazoo at the MASA Conference may have been brief, but the momentum we generated was significant. Most importantly, I feel the change that is happening incredibly fast all around us. New leadership at MDE, ongoing legislation, political candidates discussing the direction of education, artificial intelligence tools, and the numerous hot topics are having a major impact on our educational landscape. The "Better Together" motto is even more important. So, I want to thank all of you who continue to reach out, who lead on our MAISA Board, Committees, Councils, and Networks to meet the change and challenges head-on.

Reflecting on our MAISA gathering, I want to highlight three key takeaways that underscore the direction of our collective work:

1. A Renewed Partnership with MDE: Change is undeniably underway at the Department of Education. Dr. Maleyko’s openness and positive outlook signal a major opportunity to strengthen our collaborative ties. While systemic change takes time, the swift response to the Regional Career/Youth Solutions grant shows that progress is already underway. I am committed to supporting Dr. Maleyko in this transition, and I thank all of you for remaining aligned in this effort.
2. Strategic Alignment of "Hot Topics": Our recent "Celebrations and Hot Topics" session made it clear: we have incredible energy, but we must channel that "firepower" effectively. To ensure we are focusing on the right priorities, the MAISA Board will review regional feedback on the topics we should address at our March meeting. A deeper dive into the most important matters impacting ISDs across the state. I will also send a Slido link separately to ISD Superintendents to gather ISD-specific needs. 
3. Elevating Literacy and Math: Michelle Goaley and Rusty Anderson provided an exceptional roadmap for our statewide instructional work. With the addition of PA146, our team is working diligently to identify high-impact schools and create structured learning environments. I urge you to meet with your GELN and SEILN leadership to discuss these shifts. Your leadership is the catalyst required to move the needle on student achievement in Michigan.

Relationships remain the foundation of everything we do. Thank you for your continued partnership as we improve the system for Michigan’s children. 

We are Better Together,

j

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Note: Please click "View entire message" at the bottom of this email to view the full newsletter!

Previous InSiDe Updates

Want to view the previous edition of the InSiDe Update? Click here to view the November-December 2025 edition.

The MiStrategyBank (MSB) is a core component of Michigan's actionable data ecosystem, offering comprehensive strategies for inclusion in MICIP, MiEWIMS, and MiREAD. What makes MSB truly effective is the strong partnership between the state, Intermediate School Districts (ISDs), and local school districts.

To further this collaboration, the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators (MAISA) has initiated quarterly MSB Intermediate School District (ISD) Leads' meetings. These gatherings focus on ensuring MSB's content is high-quality, the user experience is seamless, and the platform meets the evolving needs of Michigan's educators and students.

The Vital Role of ISD Leads

ISD Leads are the essential link that connects local successes regionally and statewide, and ensures local districts receive the necessary support to thrive.

Here is a snapshot of the critical work ISD Leads perform:

• Support Locals: They serve as the primary resource for local districts, assisting with successful strategy selection, implementation, and analyzing usage data within MSB. If you need help curating strategies for MICIP, MiEWIMS, or MiREAD, your ISD Lead is ready to assist!
• Provide Content Rigor: They help maintain and improve MSB strategies, verifying that every resource is complete, robust, and aligned with best practices to ensure the tool remains trustworthy and valuable.
• Share What Works: ISD Leads participate in defining how effective, locally-created strategies can be elevated to the ISD level, and ultimately shared across the entire state. This is how the system fosters mutual learning from successes.
• Bring Field Needs to the Table: By sharing insights from the educational landscape, they help the MSB team identify and source new strategies that address the current, real-world needs of districts across Michigan.
• Promote and Align: They actively promote strategies they have identified as ISD-supported, seamlessly integrating them with local professional learning and professional development initiatives.

This ongoing partnership is crucial for keeping MSB a dynamic and relevant resource for every MICIP, MiEWIMS, and MiREAD user.

Continuing the Momentum

The next MSB ISD Leads quarterly meeting is scheduled for February 2026, with subsequent meetings planned for May and August.

If you ever need assistance with strategy selection, curation, implementation, or accessing MSB supports, please reach out to your ISD MiStrategyBank Lead — your local expert! You can also contact Amanda Stoel, MSB Product Owner, at AStoel@gomaisa.org.

Training materials discussed at these collaborative meetings are available at: https://www.gomaisa.org/projects/mistrategybank/.

Registration and hotel booking are now open for MAISA’s Spring General Membership Meeting from March 5–6, 2026, at The Graduate Hotel in Lansing.

Hotel Accommodation

For the meeting, MAISA has partnered with The Graduate for an exclusive hotel room group rate. To receive this pricing, rooms must be booked by January 31, 2026.

• To book your room, register here or call The Graduate at (517) 348-0900
• The Graduate is located at 133 Evergreen Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823

Conference Registration 

To register for MAISA’s Spring General Membership Meeting, click here.

Please register no later than February 13, 2026.

Visit the MAISA Event Site to view monthly calendars and upcoming meetings and events