Lee Porter, Ed.S, MSW with over 50 years in education, Lee has held several roles: from principal of an alternative high school, assistant principal of a middle school, student support specialist in a Montessori elementary school, and now, in his current role as a district-wide student support specialist, he provides mentoring and guidance to administrators and teaching staff. Throughout his career in education, his focus has always been on finding new and improved ways to address both student and staff needs to meet building and district goals of student success. With a rare combination of insight, effectiveness and out-of-the-box thinking, he regularly offers professional development sessions that leave staff eager for more. Lee’s education “ministry” started with a Michigan Department of Social Services program of outreach to incarcerated youth and collaboration with their local school district. From there he took a role with Michigan’s Office of Drug Control Policy that soon led to a position with the Michigan Department of Education’s alternative and adult education services.