Team Mason 2025-26

Looking for an Expert?

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

I’m sure you’ve heard the old adage, “You have to travel 50 miles away to find an expert!”

Well, recently, that was proven wrong at Mason Middle School. Christen Lemmon and her entrepreneur class invited Jon Drosha, owner of Dairy Hill, to talk with the students about running a business. The level of engagement was off the charts!

Have You Considered Contacting a Fact Checker?

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Have you ever considered contacting a fact checker regarding governmental affairs? Read on. A fourth-grade student at Steele Elementary might be a resource!

Recently you may have observed Mason Public School buses parked outside the government complex in Lansing. If so, you probably wondered why they were there. Well, in fact, it was a big day for our Steele Elementary fourth-grade students as they were on a field trip designed to bring the social studies curriculum to life through real world learning opportunities. The trip directly supported their study of Michigan history, government and civic responsibility.

Middle School Students Making Meaning

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

It is no secret, with the ground swell of technology at their fingertips, students today are generally reading less and finding books less appealing. In response to this reality, our eighth grade literacy teachers have enhanced their pedagogy to include book clubs to shore up reading, engagement, comprehension and social interaction.

Distance Doesn't Stop Us!

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

When Mason Public Schools (MPS) staff received an email with the subject, "Book Club Tomorrow with Pretoria, South African Teachers: What? Where?" it may have caused some concern about how the district would support this long-distance effort, given our tight budget.

Take a deep breath! Relax! It's one of the positives of technology!

Fifth Grade Entertainers at MSU Cowles’ House: What’s Up with That?

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 11:43:00 GMT

As a bonus for being a long time Wharton Center advisory member and past chair, every year I receive an invitation to their annual holiday party. This year it was held at the Michigan State University (MSU) President’s House, Cowles’ House.

What Are Your Thoughts About Feedback? Do You View It as a Gift?

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 11:40:00 GMT

Consider the last time someone gave you feedback. How did you respond and why? Perhaps it felt like a personal attack - that you were being judged - or that it threatened your control. While feedback is a complicated matter, it is built on the premise that it is crucial for growth. If given skillfully, it is intended to boost performance, increase self-awareness, motivate individuals and improve overall results by clarifying expectations and highlighting strengths and weaknesses. Are you convinced? Obviously, your position regarding feedback is based on your experiences.

Count Down!

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 14:31:00 GMT

On a recent rainy Friday morning, I popped into Julie Hilker’s eighth grade science class and was blown away by the engagement and enthusiasm that permeated the classroom. “What in the world is going on?” I wondered. I quickly turned to a student on a ladder and asked her to tell me what was happening. She responded, “We are doing an egg drop. Mr. Haney’s class did it yesterday.”

Mystic Lake Chatter in Minneapolis- What’s that All About?

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 14:28:00 GMT

Mason Middle School Science Teacher Tiffany Henfling presented at the National Science Teachers annual meeting in Minneapolis. The title of her session was “Take Them to Camp,” with a focus on the power of authentic learning in the outdoors. Her goal was to inspire attendees to engage students in an outdoor experience, like camp, and be equipped with the tools to actualize it.

Crescendo: Another Name for Ending the Trimester

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Now, you are probably asking, “What do crescendo and end of the trimester have in common?” Well, I think plenty! Crescendo means the highest point reached in a progressive increase of intensity, in our world, the last week of the trimester was this peak.

Throughout a host of secondary classrooms that I visited, I observed gallery walks- including a unique one done virtually, poster sessions, student-created videos, podcasts and even a rap. If you ever wanted to see state and national curriculum standards, come to life in authentic and creative ways, this was it! These projects represented inquiry, problem-solving, interpretations of novels, research focusing on climate change and much more. The level of enthusiasm and engagement was off the charts, and the finished products were generally outstanding.

Lead from Where You Sit

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 15:26:00 GMT

Kouzes and Posner’s “The Five Star Practices for Exemplary Leadership,” identified in their original research some 50 years ago, still hold true and include:

Model the way
Inspire a shared vision
Challenge the process
Enable others to act
Encourage the hearts

Who do you know possesses these attributes? Were you aware that at Mason High School (MHS), students have boundless opportunities to work on acquiring and refining these skills?

MHS hosted a Student Leadership Summit for students from Mason and the surrounding schools. This brought students together to share their stories, expand their leadership initiatives and create action plans for the months ahead. As I circulated through the field house where the students congregated with their teacher sponsors, I was impressed by their projects and experiences.

What Is Going On During After School Hours in Mason?

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 20:59:00 GMT

There’s an abundance of after school opportunities for our Mason students: From Bulldog Brilliance—a program that offers homework help—to a wide variety of clubs, athletics, top-notch robotics and an exciting new arts initiative.

What Do Inclusion and Pianos Have in Common? Read On!

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 20:24:00 GMT

Recently, Mason Public Schools (MPS) celebrated Inclusion Week. Bright and early Monday morning, I popped into Rachel Huntley’s kindergarten classroom, situated close to the school entrance, only to find her children getting ready to learn all about it.

So, What’s the Big Deal About Belonging?

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 20:23:00 GMT

Belonging is currently being addressed in multiple ways throughout Mason Public Schools, as well as in society at large. In her 2022 TED Talk, biotechnologist Lola Adayemi addressed the topic and explained that, as humans, we are all seeking to belong. Research also suggests the sense of belonging impacts one’s self-concept and self-esteem, as well as influences academic achievement.

Leveraging Our Local Resources

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 20:30:00 GMT

Noel Nolan from Dart Container was a recent presenter to all four sections of fourth grade at Steele Elementary. While captivating an audience of approximately 90 students is no small feat, she was able to accomplish it!

Who Says Mason Doesn’t Have a Year-Round Growing Season?

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 20:22:00 GMT

Periodically, throughout the year, there are days off for students. Many families, no doubt, need to reshuffle schedules for childcare. In addition, community members may simply be puzzled by the events.

Global Connections

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 20:17:00 GMT

An amazing way to learn about another part of the world is to spend time with people living there. This year, Mason High School has the good fortune of adding five teenagers from abroad on its roster.

Playwrights at Mason High School

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 19:24:00 GMT

Often talented students, for a host of reasons, go unnoticed. This changed for Gailee Maynard and Riley Ngubini this summer at the Riverwalk Theatre in Lansing.

Bulldog Launch

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 19:26:00 GMT

I was the first to arrive at Mason High School field house on the first day of school. It was stone silent; however, 10 minutes later, the place was inhabited by nearly 1,000 high school students as, together, we launched the 2025-2026 school year.

What Was Going on in the Steele Elementary Parking Lot?

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 19:27:00 GMT

Flashing lights and four Ingham County emergency vehicles in the Steele Elementary parking lot on a Thursday morning makes you wonder, “What’s going on?”

So, What Do Our Students Want To Do When They Grow Up?

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 19:55:00 GMT

On a single day, a host of students’ lives were touched by careers including marine biology, illustrating, acting and a lot in between! The day started when I was invited to Fort Lauderdale for a morning visit with a marine biologist-without leaving Steele Elementary-go figure!

So, What Do Our Students Want To Do When They Grow Up?

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 16:11:00 GMT

On a single day, a host of students’ lives were touched by careers including marine biology, illustrating, acting and a lot in between!

Another Special Experience for Our Students

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 19:28:00 GMT

I suppose you have figured it out by now: Mason students have a plethora of opportunities, among them is a chance to learn other languages and about their cultures.

Another Special Experience for Our Students

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 16:09:00 GMT

I suppose you have figured it out by now: Mason students have a plethora of opportunities, among them is a chance to learn other languages and about their cultures.

A Cast Party: How Special is That!

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 16:15:00 GMT

It was truly an honor to receive a special invitation to the North Aurelius Elementary cast party celebrating the magnificent performance of Disney’s Aladdin! More than 40 students were gathered in the lunch area for delicious ice cream treats followed by an amazing ceremony that included a unique award for each and every member of the cast!

Tractor Technicians Won a World Robotics Award: What’s That All About?

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 16:18:00 GMT

Interesting news! This spring, 24 high school robotics team members, along with their teachers and mentors, competed on the world stage in Houston, Texas!

Celebratory Learning

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 16:20:00 GMT

To witness a class of sixth grade students rush to the library to meet Walter, the educational support dog, and burst with enthusiasm about their reading and writing right before school was out for summer was quite a feat! The back story is even more amazing!