At this year’s MASA Distinguished Administrators’ Luncheon, 13 new MASA members were inducted into the Winners’ Circle. These members were honored by the Membership Services Committee for initiating a unique, successful program or implementing an innovative idea that has had a significant, positive impact on their school districts that can be used by other districts across the state. This year’s inductees include:

John Severson, Harper Creek Community Schools, Region 7

Unique Implementation of Collins Writing

John has implemented Collins Writing in Harper Creek Community Schools in a distinctly unique way. The idea behind the implementation of this purchased K-12 writing program is to give teachers and students a concrete method for learning about and referring to a writing process that works in each subject area K-12 across the curriculum. Students (and their teachers) come to understand that different types of writing are appropriate at different times, for different assignments, and for different audiences. Harper is presently in the second year of implementing this approach K-12 across the curriculum. The district consistently provides professional development and support via in-house instructional coaches. The program uses a veteran English teacher and certified trainer of the program, to provide program expertise. The teacher also included a week-long training for 30 of their staff members this summer. As the program continues to develop, they have expanded and raised the bar on expectations for students and teachers. Most importantly, K-8th grade focus correction areas are specifically linked to state grand level content expecations. High school English teachers are addressing writing strategies and prompts that relate to the Michigan Merit Exam — or MME — while the other departments promote focus correction areas corresponding to the MME. All K-12 grade teachers are required to complete three folder reviews with their principal and their instructional coaches. The superintendent personally attends high school folder reviews. While the Collins Writing process is a highly recognized program, Harper Creek continues to develop instructional support focused on improving the writing skills of every student. Their continual planning and professional development/support for their teachers has made a significant difference in the way they teach and how students learn, thereby helping students become better writers.

Contact John Severson at 586.445.5702 or seversonj@harpercreek.net