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Educationally Speaking

Issue 41 | April 2023
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*Be sure your email address is up-to-date in the **Michigan Online Educator Certification System* [ [link removed] ]* to receive important notifications regarding YOUR certificate.*

**Please see the *archived newsletters [ [link removed] ]* for other important information that affects licensure.**

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Did You Know

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Student Growth Metrics Available through Public Website  

The State School Aid Act subsection (5) [ [link removed] ] requires that the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) make data publicly available on an external website that provides student growth metrics at the district and school level by grade and subject. The development of the site was provided by the MI-EVAAS [ [link removed] ] value-added reporting platform and the public facing web site [ [link removed] ] was launched on March 31, 2023.   

This release of the EVAAS public site includes scatterplots, a visual representation of growth and achievement results for public schools and districts. These plots reflect the student enrollment included in EVAAS growth reporting in 2022. 

Comparison reports are now publicly available that provide growth measures for all districts and schools in Michigan. This information allows for comparison of schools and districts across the state and includes interactive reports for selecting the data of interest.   

District and School Value-Added Reports are coming soon; these reports provide reliable measures of the average academic growth a district or school's students made in each tested grade and subject or course. 

The EVAAS online help page [ [link removed] ] provides detailed information about each report in the system, including explanations of how the reports are generated and guidance for interpreting and using the data effectively.  Contact the MI-EVAAS team at SAS [ [link removed] ] with questions. 

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Education Workforce Job Fairs

*The 2023 Education Workforce Job Fair Series Begins Next Month* 

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is pleased to offer a series of Education Workforce Virtual Job Fairs. The 2023 virtual job fairs are open to employers of educators and educational support staff, as well as all individuals seeking to work in the education field. The Brazen platform [ [link removed] ], which features increased functionality and ease of use, will ensure a robust experience for employers and job seekers.  

The first job fair will take place on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.  Future job fairs will be held on June 7, 2023 and August 9, 2023. The job fairs are free of charge for all intermediate school districts (ISDs) and local education agencies (LEAs), both traditional school districts and public school academies (PSAs), educator staffing agencies, and all job-seeking candidates.   

More information and registration for job seekers and employers can be found at the Education Workforce Job Fairs site [ [link removed] ]. For information on how to become a certified educator in Michigan, please visit the Educator Certification website [ [link removed] ].

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Noteworthy News
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*MDE Names 2023-24 Regional Teachers of the Year * 

In addition to the many roles that they play in their schools, ten Michigan educators have a new title: 2023-24 Regional Teacher of the Year (RTOY). Each of these outstanding educators will also be a finalist for 2023-24 Michigan Teacher of the Year (MTOY).  

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) organizes the Teacher of the Year program to honor and elevate teacher voice. Honorees comprise the Michigan Teacher Leader Advisory Council (MTLAC) and will have the opportunity to share their experiences and knowledge as they work with stakeholders to strengthen Michigan’s public schools for students and educators.  

The 2023-24 Regional Teachers of the Year are:  

Region 1: *Gina Pepin*, a reading teacher at Lemmer Elementary in Escanaba Area Public Schools 

Region 2: *Brandi Clark*, a mathematics teacher at Kalkaska Middle School in Kalkaska Public Schools 

Region 3: *Stephanie Nielsen*, a kindergarten teacher at Shawmut Hills Academy in Grand Rapids Public Schools 

Region 4: *Bridgit Sova*, a special education teacher at H.H. Dow High School in Midland Public Schools 

Region 5: *Jennifer Senkmajer*, a fourth grade teacher at Yale Elementary School in Yale Public Schools 

Region 6: *Nicole Minor*, a mathematics teacher at Lansing Eastern High School in Lansing School District 

Region 7: *Jaime Hilaski*, a virtual arts teacher at Schoolcraft Junior-Senior High School in Schoolcraft Community Schools

Region 8: *Lori Richert*, a second and third grade teacher at Childs Elementary in Lincoln Consolidated Schools 

Region 9: *Vanessa Robert*, a kindergarten teacher at Canton Charter Academy in Canton

Region 10: *Candice Jackson*, a third grade teacher at Mann Learning Community in Detroit Public Schools Community District 

For more information, please view the full press release [ [link removed] ] or visit the MTLAC homepage [ [link removed] ].

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2023-24 MTLAC Cohort
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PME

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New #proudMIeducator Video Released

An innovate educator who uses technology and student teamwork to build confidence in problem solving in every facet of a student’s life is featured in the latest #proudMIeducator video [ [link removed] ] released today by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).

Angela St. Amant, a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) educator at Dansville Schools, has transformed her classroom into a themed, interactive simulator that is a learning environment that teaches students teamwork, critical thinking, problem solving, and effective communication, as well as increases interest and enthusiasm in STEAM topics. All these elements combine to create an immersive learning environment that challenges students to use all their right- and left-brain skills, plus teamwork, to solve complex problems.

To learn more, read the press release [ [link removed] ] or visit the #proudMIeducator webpage [ [link removed] ]. 

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*Michigan Teacher of the Year (MTOY)* 

Be sure to check out 2022-2023 Michigan Teacher of the Year Nanette [ [link removed] ]Hanson’s blog about the power of community [ [link removed] ]. This blog and other past blogs from the Michigan Teacher of the Year and Regional Teachers of the Year can be found on the Meemic Foundation’s website [ [link removed] ].  

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*Teacher Appreciation Week * 

This year, Teacher Appreciation Week is May 8-12, but we're preparing to celebrate teachers during the *entire month of May*. The Office of Educator Excellence (OEE) has gathered videos of students showing their appreciation toward their teachers. The videos will be shared on a special Teacher Appreciation Month website [ [link removed] ], as well as on the MDE’s YouTube account ([link removed]).  

There are multiple opportunities to support this great effort by sharing out information and updates on personal or organizational social media platforms. By following the OEE on Twitter at @MIEducator and on Facebook at [link removed]; [ [link removed] ] anyone can help “boost the signal.”  

In addition, OEE encourages anyone to post a Proud Michigan Educator "Shout Out" on their own social media platforms. These shout-outs can be in any format: photos, videos, and text with hashtags or links are all welcome. When uploading a special shout-out, please tag *@MIEducation* and *@MIEducator*, including  the hashtags *#MIteachAppreesh* and *#PME* where possible. 

Thank you for your support of Michigan's teachers!

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Teacher Discounts [ [link removed] ]

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Upcoming Opportunities
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*Explore Military Career Options*

Are you interested in learning about the career opportunities for students who are considering joining the military? Earn 5 State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) by exploring military career options! Visit Understanding the Modern Military [ [link removed] ] for further details.

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*Free and Low Cost Professional Learning Options*

Looking for new professional learning opportunities? Check out the Free and Low Cost Professional Learning Options [ [link removed] ] document for current offerings.

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Educational Resources

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*Teachers of Color Virtual Job Fairs* 

These hiring events will allow teaching candidates to participate in interviews and discuss career opportunities with schools. If you have any questions, please contact Joanne Sosa at [email protected] or call 718-902-5926. 

Additional dates for upcoming fairs include:  May 1, June 16, September 8, and November 2.  

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"Copyright © 2022 Office of Educator Excellence, All rights reserved."

Michigan Department of Education - Office of Educator Excellence
608 W. Allegan Street, Lansing, MI 48933
(517) 241-5000 | [email protected]






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