GAMSP

🌱 Wednesday Growing Leaders Check

“A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes and has the courage to develop that potential.” — Brené Brown

Who are you intentionally developing as a leader right now?

This week, look for one opportunity to give someone meaningful responsibility, invite their voice into a decision, or encourage them to take the next step. Growing leaders begins when we recognize potential—and make room for it to grow.

📣 Assistant principals, this conversation is for you!

Join GAMSP for “What I Wish My Principal Knew! — Assistant Principal Edition” on Wednesday, September 23, from 4:00–5:00 p.m. ET.

Principals, assistant principals, and leadership teams are encouraged to sign in together. This is a great opportunity to strengthen communication, share perspectives, and spark meaningful conversations within your administrative team.

💻 Join through Google Meet:
https://meet.google.com/jqz-heyt-bvd

Let’s make sure Georgia’s middle school leaders are well represented!

Middle school leaders—we need you represented at the Georgia Principals Conference!

This year’s sessions will offer practical ideas for strengthening school culture, supporting teachers, improving instruction, using data effectively, and navigating the everyday challenges of school leadership. Just as important, the conference creates space to learn from other leaders who understand the work and return to your school with ideas you can actually use.

The middle grades have unique needs, and those needs deserve a strong voice in statewide conversations. Join us October 18–20 in Athens and help make sure middle school is well represented.

Seats are limited—scan the QR code to register today!

🏁 GAMSP’s Race to Grow is rolling!

Congratulations to Metro RESA Co-Directors Kim White and Molly Lavin for growing GAMSP membership in August—and congratulations to Jared, our August Race Wheel winner! 🎉 Who will take the checkered flag in September? Let’s keep growing! ❤️🖤

Riverwatch Middle School - Forsyth
Little Mill Middle
Liberty Middle School - Forsyth

Chronic absenteeism rarely has one simple cause. Research supports early, direct communication with families, so this week, choose one student whose absences are beginning to increase and make a supportive call home.

What strategy is helping improve attendance in your school?

🔗 Research:https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/rel/regions/midatlantic/pdf/REL_2017252.pdf

🌟 GAMSP MIDDLE SCHOOL MONDAY SPOTLIGHT

Congratulations to Ebenezer Middle School in Effingham County for being named a 2026 High-Flying School by Georgia Southern University!

Ebenezer Middle is one of only three schools on the 2026 winners list. This national recognition celebrates schools that excel academically while supporting underserved and underrepresented students through high achievement, service to youth, community collaboration, and civic development.

👏 Congratulations to the students, educators, leaders, families, and community behind this outstanding achievement!

🔗 Learn more:
https://www.georgiasouthern.edu/academics/continuing-professional-education/conferences/nyar/hfs

Today, GAMSP pauses to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and to honor the courage of the first responders, service members, and everyday citizens who answered tragedy with bravery and compassion.

May we continue to teach the next generation the importance of remembrance, service, and unity. 🇺🇸

📚 GAMSP LEARN & LEAD WEDNESDAY

New teachers do not need more information coming at them. They need to know they belong, that asking for help is safe, and that someone is paying attention to their progress.

This week’s NAESP resource offers a simple approach for supporting new teachers without overwhelming them:

✅ Name one strength you observed
💭 Ask one reflective question
➡️ Agree on one manageable next step

Small, consistent actions—brief check-ins, specific encouragement, supportive classroom visits, and meaningful mentoring—can strengthen confidence, belonging, and retention.

💡 This week’s leadership challenge: Visit a new teacher’s classroom and follow up with one specific success you noticed.

💬 What is one practice your school uses to help new teachers feel supported?

🔗 Read “Create the Conditions for New Teacher Success”:
https://www.naesp.org/resource/create-the-conditions-for-new-teacher-success/

📚 LEARN & LEAD WEDNESDAY

Middle school students are growing, changing, and learning from their mistakes—sometimes all before lunch!

This week’s featured article from the Association for Middle Level Education reminds us that effective middle school leaders understand the developmental needs of young adolescents. One idea especially stood out: “Each day is a new opportunity.”

As leaders, we can help our teachers approach students with high expectations while also giving them the opportunity to reset, repair, and make a better choice.

💡 Try this with your staff: At the end of a difficult student conversation, ask, “What will a fresh start look like tomorrow?”

💬 GAMSP members, how do you help your staff balance accountability with a fresh start for students?

🔗 Read The Unique Skillset of the Middle School Leader:
https://www.amle.org/leading-from-the-middle-the-unique-skillset-of-the-middle-school-leader/

❤️