#66 - Dr. Carmen Maring (Gull Lake Middle School, Michigan) - Growth is Not an Option - It's the Expectation

Growth Is Not an Option—It's the Expectation with Dr. Carmen Maring What happens when a school commits to creating systems where every student, every teacher, and every leader is expected to keep growing? In this episode of the Proud Principals Podcast, Tony Cattani welcomes Dr. Carmen Maring, Principal of Gull Lake Middle School in Richland, Michigan. Serving approximately 750 students in grades 6–8, Dr. Maring has built a culture centered on one unwavering belief: "Growth is not an option." Throughout this inspiring conversation, Carmen shares how intentional systems—not isolated initiatives—have transformed her school into a place where continuous improvement is simply part of the culture. From hiring exceptional educators to investing in meaningful professional learning, she explains how every decision is made with one goal in mind: growing learners while developing leaders. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why creating sustainable systems is more powerful than chasing new programs. How hiring for Hungry, Humble, and People Smart characteristics strengthens school culture. The impact of instructional coaching built on transparency, trust, and continuous feedback. Practical strategies for strengthening literacy through reading, writing, and student engagement. Why it's critical for every teacher to have clarity about what students should know and be able to do. How faculty meetings can become meaningful professional learning opportunities instead of informational sessions. How principles from Teach Like a Champion help elevate instructional practice across an entire school. 🎧 If you enjoyed this episode: Subscribe to the Proud Principals Podcast for more conversations with outstanding educational leaders from across the country. Follow on Instagram - @TonyCattaniProudPrincipal Leave a review to help other principals discover the show. Share this episode with a colleague committed to building a culture of continuous growth. Because the greatest resource in every school has always been... EACH OTHER! Contact Information and Bio Dr. Carmen Maring - NAESP Board of Directors Gull Lake Middle School Gull Lake Community Schools Richland, Michigan [email protected] Carmen Maring has led Gull Lake Middle School for ten years, building on her previous experience as a dean, a school counselor, and an assistant principal. During her tenure, many of her most successful initiatives for instructional and school improvement have been so effective that they have quickly been adopted at the district or county level. For example, after successful implementation at the building level, Maring’s instructional coaching program and approach to instructional rounds have both been replicated, going on to elevate teaching practices beyond Gull Lake. Maring has also taken an innovative approach to school achievement that is now the norm in her district. Rather than attempt to reach three or four school improvement goals at once, Gull Lake Community Schools now identify one top-line goal that all school stakeholders work toward. Recently, Maring guided her staff in identifying literacy as a top priority, setting the goal for all students to “read, write, and speak with purpose,” which took center stage in dialogue and data analysis across all professional development activities, ultimately leading to increased achievement over three years. The school has also become an exemplar of STEM education under her leadership, with all students gaining hands-on learning experiences before graduation. Maring holds a B.A. from Hope College, an M.A. from Western Michigan University, and an Ed.D. from Michigan State University.