Message from our Team
FROM OUR PRESIDENT Kristi Teall
Dear MASFPS Members, Partners, and Friends,
It is with great enthusiasm and gratitude that I step into this year as President of the Michigan Association of State and Federal Program Specialists. I am humbled to serve alongside such passionate professionals who share a common goal: ensuring equitable, high-quality education for all Michigan students.
At the heart of our work lies the MASFPS mission: to build capacity of educational leaders to implement effective state and federal programs so each student achieves. This mission isn’t just a statement. It’s the compass that guides every professional learning session we offer and every partnership we build. Whether we are helping districts navigate complex compliance regulations or equipping leaders to make data-informed decisions, our mission ensures our efforts are always focused on improving outcomes for students, especially those most at risk.
Our vision– MASFPS supports Michigan educators to optimize the use of state and federal funds so all students will succeed–speaks to our identity as a connector and a catalyst. We envision a future where every district, regardless of size or location, has the tools and knowledge to implement strategic, research-based programs that meet the diverse needs of their learners. To help you with this, we will offer high-impact professional learning opportunities that bridge compliance and innovation, advocate for policies that protect and enhance what we do, and support leaders in aligning resources to initiatives that matter most.
As we do this very important work, we continue to be grounded by our why--To walk alongside educational leaders so they don’t feel alone in their passion to help students succeed. We believe that collaboration fuels better solutions and stronger systems, that data can empower transformational change, and that leadership at all levels is essential in sustaining progress. This means we will always be here to support you and lift you up to be the best you can be so our students can be the best they can be!
We will continue to promote practices that dismantle barriers, elevate student voice, and ensure that every dollar spent truly serves our students by offering opportunities for members to connect, learn, and lead together. We do this because our collective impact is greater than the sum of our parts.
As we move forward this year, I invite each of you to stay engaged, share your voice, and lean into the professional community that MASFPS provides. We have important work to do, and I am confident that together, we will continue to shape a stronger future for Michigan’s learners.
Thank you for your commitment, your leadership, and your partnership.
Sincerely,
Kristi Teall, President, MASFPS
FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dear MASFPS Friends and Colleagues:
As we have faced some of the toughest and craziest times in education over the past few years, note that we have lived through a recession, a pandemic, educator shortages, and the alphabet soup of grant funding increases. Now we are rolling into more uncharted times with the uncertainty of the Federal Education funding. And here we still are, doing the very best we can with what we have to support students, staff, and families. We are all in this together, learning from and with each other, and you can count on MASFPS to hold your hand as we move forward into the next school year.
Like districts serving students and families, MASFPS is also proud to provide educators support and resources in designing, implementing, and evaluating State and Federal Programs. We offer a variety of opportunities for program directors, principals, curriculum directors, and other state/federal program staff to learn from, and network with, others across the state.
We will continue to reach out to our current members and stretch our support to new members all year long. Watch for emails coming to you from our membership platform called “Wild Apricot”. Let us know your needs and how MASFPS can give you a hand when you need it the most!
Sincerely,
Sara Shriver, MASFPS Executive Director
