Effective leadership in special education starts with a strong foundation of knowledge, empathy, and collaboration. This week, Ingham ISD brought those principles to life by hosting a professional development session tailored specifically for building leaders: Special Education Essentials for Principals.
The session was a joint effort between the Student Instructional Services and Student Support Services teams, focused on equipping principals with key tools and insights to support all learners—especially students receiving special education services. Participants explored core topics like communication strategies, program compliance, and systems of support, all framed through the lens of equity and inclusion.
The goal? To help school leaders deepen their understanding of the services available, build stronger relationships with special education teams, and ultimately create more inclusive learning environments that meet the needs of every student.
By bringing these leaders together in one space, the session reinforced a shared vision: that supporting students with disabilities isn’t just the responsibility of one department—it’s a collaborative commitment across the entire school community.
Recent Stories:
When school leaders work together, student voices grow stronger. Representatives from Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, and Shiawassee Counties recently gathered through the CARES Collaborative to meet with legislative officials and discuss education priorities, school funding, and the future of public education across the region. The CARES Collaborative—Capital Area Regional Education Strategy—was formed to strengthen regional advocacy efforts and ensure schools have a stronger, more unified voice in policy conversations.
Government can feel distant when you only read about it in textbooks. But for students in Spartan Project SEARCH, a recent visit to the Michigan Capitol turned civic learning into a real-world experience. From meeting with State Senator Sarah Anthony to observing activity inside the Senate chamber, students gained a firsthand look at the many people and moving parts that help serve communities across Michigan.




