2026 MSCI Spring Conference
Professional Development Sessions
May 16, 2026
Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island

 Professional Development Sessions will offer important benefits to our membership and organization as a whole.
​Specific sessions for this year's upcoming conference are currently being built and will be shared soon.

Advocating for Speech Activities
9:30-10:30am Baroque Room, Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island
Roger Rothe, Birch Run Coach & MEA/NEA Statewide Director
In this session, discussion will be centered on
•How to advocate for your program(s) within your district and contract
•What tools you have access to as a union member that you may not be using
•What is happening with education in DC

Note: You do NOT need to belong to the MEA or NEA to learn from this session

MSCI Mackinac PD Sessions - May, 2026 Making Coaching Easier with Google AI Studio
11:00-12:00pm Baroque Room, Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island
Sam Bloch (Google/YouTube, Quality & Continuous Improvement Program Manager)
and
Brando Socarras (Google/YouTube, Software Engineer)
In this session, discussion will be centered on •Enabling coaches with the resources and walking them through how to use Google AI Studio to build applications
•Thinking through applications that support administration, policy, and communication
•ALL participants must bring a computer or tablet for this session

Note: The sessions is not intended to automate or replace human creativity, but explore things like tools to detect AI rules violations, manage team payments, and simplify registration

MIFA Open Meeting
1:30-2:30pm Baroque Room, Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island
Jon Becker, MIFA Executive Director & Amy Urbanowski-Nowak, MIFA IE Committee Chair & Birch Run Coach

Any questions concerning the professional development on Mackinac Island can be directed to Past-President Heather McKaig (heather.l.mckaig@gmail.com)
        
Past Offerings Include:
Panel Discussion: Lessons Learned in a Virtual Year
Constructive Critiques: Providing Ballots That Make a Difference
Cultural Responsiveness and Equitable Judging Practices
Tournament Safety and Crisis Management Plans
Understanding Copyright Compliance in Speech and Debate
Fundraising Ideas
How to Prepare for the Season Before the Season Starts
Speech Activities, The Common Core, and The Future of Michigan Forensics
How Yoga and Breathing Exercises Help Competitors Enhance Their Performance
Collecting Meaningful Assessment Data in Speech Courses
The State of Speech Activities Across the Country
Creating Creative Visual Aids
Finding and Developing Great Oratory Topics
Public Forum Debate Workshop
Addressing ELA Common Core Requirements & Preparing for the SAT through Public Speaking Instruction
Creative Instruction & Total Participation Techniques for Public Speaking Instruction in Language Arts Classes
How to prepare students for Poetry Slam competition in Public Venues and at Invitational Tournaments
Professional Responsibility:  Marketing Public Speaking Programs for Public Education