Join us at MiCSS25!

• Bay Mills Community College- use code BMCC25 for $100 off
• Central Michigan University- use code CMU25 for $200 off the first 25 people to register
• Ferris State University- use code FSU25 for $200 off registration for 2 people from every FSU school
• Lake Superior State University- use code LSSU25 for $100 off the first 20 people to register
• Northern Michigan University- please contact your school leader if you are interested in attending and they will provide next steps (All discount codes have been used)
• Oakland University- use code OU25 for a free registration for the first 35 people to register
• Saginaw Valley State University- use code SVSU25 for $200 off the first 25 people to register

✨Keynote Spotlight✨

Dec. 11 — Dr. Stuart Ablon, global leader in mental health and behavior science, founding director of Think:Kids at Mass General and author of Changeable will lead a workshop sharing how to replace power struggles with problem-solving to protect mental health and deepen connection.

December 10, 2025
7:30-8:30 AM | Registration & Breakfast
8:30-10:00 AM | General Session with Johan Martinez-Khalilian
10:00-11:30 AM | Breakout Session I 
11:30-1:00 PM | Lunch & Exhibitors 
1:00-2:30 PM | Breakout Session II 
2:30-3:00 PM | Break 
3:00-4:30 PM | Breakout Session III 
5:00-7:00 PM | MAPSA Social

December 11, 2025
8:00-9:00 AM | Registration & Breakfast
9:00-12:00 PM | Workshop with Dr. Stuart Ablon

A sneak peek of some of the breakout sessions coming to MiCSS25,  each designed to spark fresh thinking, foster bold leadership, and empower our charter community.

🎙️ Empowering Teachers, Shaping the Future: How Using a Teacher’s Voice + AI Can Redefine Education and Create Teacher Happiness - Maria Anderson, Socrait 
Charter schools have a unique opportunity to lead the next era of K-12 education, not just by innovating for students, but by reimagining how we support the teachers who guide them. By streamlining work, AI can reduce burnout, boost retention, and give teachers more time for what matters most — teaching and connecting with students.

🔥 Firefighting to Freedom: Building Clarity Systems that Protect Time, Energy, and Impact -Lindsie Boykin, Leaders Need Systems
Too many school leaders spend their days putting out fires instead of leading with intention. In this session, participants will use the Leaders Need Systems 3C Framework™ to assess communication gaps, redesign routines to reduce chaos, and apply practical, equity-centered tools to build proactive, sustainable leadership.

📧 Gmail & Google Calendar Secrets – Lissa Brunan, Engaging TECHniques
Learn powerful tips, hidden features, and time-saving tricks to take control of your inbox and calendar. Hands-on session—bring your device!

📄 Crafting Your Team's Blueprint and Reigniting the Passion – Anthony Dodson, Family is Forever
Explore strategies to align personal values with professional aspirations, foster leadership, resilience, and collaboration and cultivate purpose-driven pathways for impactful change.

📖 The Persuasive Power of Storytelling – Dr. Jerry Evanski, 212 CreativEd, LLC
Discover how to craft stories that trigger connection, trust, and action. Learn science-backed techniques to make your message unforgettable.

🗣️ Softer Isn’t Safer – Connie Hamilton, Hamilton Consultants
Master the art of giving feedback that builds trust and sparks growth—whether to struggling teachers or your top performers.

🤝 Team-Based Models that Empower – Dara Klein, ASU Next Education Workforce; Lindsay Solomon & Hayden Dry, Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences
Hear how Detroit educators use team structures to boost teacher leadership and student-centered learning—and try an interactive design challenge yourself.

🧱 Beat Your Barriers - Johan Martinez-Khalilian, Dvlpmnt LLC 
Let’s be real, most leadership advice is junk food, because the real threat to leadership isn’t failure but stagnation and performing leadership while privately avoiding your own growth. This workshop helps you confront the internal barriers that quietly run the show, because you can’t lead anyone past a barrier you’re afraid to face.

🌪️ Managing Through Uncertainty – Stephen McClain, The Management Center
Gain practical tools to set priorities, communicate clearly, and sustain your team—no matter the unknowns.

🍍 Be a Pineapple Person in a Prickly World – Annie Meehan, AM Speaking and Consulting
Learn three simple steps to spread kindness, strengthen relationships, and communicate with impact.

🌍 A Roadmap for Global Citizenship – Aaron Moniz, Inspire Citizens
Get practical tools and a self-discovery framework to bring your school’s global citizenship vision to life.

🤖 AI in Action: What Education Leaders & Teachers Should Know - Jessica Paulsen, LEAP Innovations 
This interactive, hands-on session offers a clear, approachable entry point into the rapidly evolving world of human-centered generative AI in education. Together, we’ll break down core concepts and explore essential questions such as: What is human-centered generative AI and how can AI be leveraged to support teaching, learning, and innovation?

✨ Transforming Schools into Liberatory Spaces: Building Independent learners through a Restorative and Culturally Responsive School Culture - Michael Payne Jr., Boldly Moving Education Ahead
Discover how the Liberating Learners Framework empowers educators to build restorative, culturally responsive, and student-centered school communities that foster equity and social-emotional growth.

💥 Passion, Pain & Poetry – Schwartzen Precil, Hero Leadership Group LLC
Use storytelling, poetry, and emotional intelligence to turn adversity into purpose-driven leadership.

🎭 Finding Your ART in Leadership – Jess Vann, Creative Spaces Consulting
Boost your authenticity, resilience, and transformation through theatre-inspired leadership practices.

🛟 When Grown-Ups Need to Grow Up – Tara Colvin & Cathy Henkenberns, Thought Design
Break the cycle of drama and rescue with strategies that build ownership, maturity, and accountability.

🚀 Future-Ready by Design: Crafting Your District’s Portrait of a Graduate – Dr. Tovah Sheldon, Michigan Virtual; Dr. Sarah Pazur, CS Partners
Learn how to define the skills, mindsets, and competencies students need to thrive in a changing world. Walk away with a practical process and tools to create or refine your district’s Portrait of a Graduate.

🗣️ Hear Their Voices – Kurtis Dollison, National Heritage Academies; Aquan Grant-Wayne, Grand Valley State University Division of K-12 Education Innovation and Scholar Success
Explore systemic barriers faced by Black male students and hear directly from students and leaders on solutions to create more equitable schools.

🤝 Community Agreements: A Tool to Foster Authentic Family & Community Partnerships – Clare McKenna & Iffa Kazi Davis, Henry Ford Learning Institute
Engage in co-creating restorative community agreements that give all stakeholders a voice and build trust, equity, and authentic collaboration.

🌏 From Conflict to Connected: Raising Achievement for Immigrant English Learners Through Culture and Climate – Randy Speck, Education Management and Networks
Discover strategies to foster inclusive, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive school environments that boost achievement for ESL and immigrant students.

🏆 Transparency in Education and True Grade Level Proficiency Leading to National Blue Ribbon Success in Detroit – Salwa Kinsey, Shena Scott & Dr. Kyle Worden, NHA Pembroke Academy
See how Pembroke Academy’s Grade Level Placement Model and transparent practices led to Blue Ribbon success, and learn key strategies to boost scholar outcomes and family partnerships.

🚗 Are We There Yet? Michigan’s Drive to Literacy Reform - Wendy Larvick, Public Sector Consultants; Dr. Adrea Truckenmiller, Michigan State University College of Education
Teaching students to read is no short trip but a journey requiring persistence and resources. Build your knowledge on how reading is done by hearing from reading policy experts and practitioners.