At Webster Kindergarten Center in Escanaba, the recent Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators (MAISA) Intensive Coaching Institute served as a hub for learning, collaboration, and literacy leadership.
Among the facilitators was Heidi Gascon, Literacy Instructional Coach at Ingham ISD, who played a key role in delivering this four-day professional learning experience. With a focus on interactive writing and instructional coaching, the event provided hands-on support for ISD coaches across the state as they deepened their understanding of MAISA’s Essential Coaching Practices.
The institute was spearheaded locally by Kristie Latsch, General Education Director for Delta Schoolcraft ISD, who advocated for the opportunity to support her district’s literacy coaches—and extend that support to colleagues from other regional districts like Bark River-Harris, Escanaba, Gladstone, and more.
The sessions paired coaches with small groups of students in live teaching settings, giving them real-time feedback and tools they could take back to their home districts. Participants practiced key elements of interactive writing, built confidence in their coaching approach, and explored new ways to help teachers grow their literacy instruction.
Recent Stories:
Zander Bowles, a former student in Ingham ISD’s SAIL program, has become a passionate and persistent advocate for accessibility in local government—attending city council meetings, advising on public facility updates, and volunteering across the community.
Haslett Public Schools’ Wilkshire Early Childhood Center is setting an example for what’s possible when a school team dedicates itself to building strong systems for students and families. Their staff has invested countless hours into this work, reviewing data, collaborating on goals, and engaging in professional development alongside Ingham ISD’s PBIS and School Improvement coaches. This partnership ensures Wilkshire’s efforts are intentional, sustainable, and always centered on student success. The result is a program worth celebrating and one we hope inspires other schools across the region.
