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Educationally Speaking

Issue 44 | July 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.**

Did You Know
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*Free Summer Meals in Your Community* 

Have hungry kids and teens to feed? It can be a challenge to find healthy meals that fit your budget. That’s why organizations and school districts in your area are working with *Meet Up and Eat Up *and providing everyone aged 18 and under with delicious, nutritious meals.  

All summer, children 18 and under can eat healthy, satisfying meals in their own communities at no cost. No application forms required, no registration needed, and no proof of residency asked for — just show up and enjoy a meal! All meals must be eaten at the site. 

Visit the *interactive map* [ [link removed] ] to find the location nearest you. You can also text "FOOD" or "COMIDA" to 304-304 to find free meals in your neighborhood. 

Meet Up and Eat Up’s summer meals are for everyone in the community. When more people join together to eat these delicious, healthy meals, the community benefits. More participation can mean more investment in local schools and community organizations. So come pick up a plate and meet your neighbors! 

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*Educator Evaluation Guidance for 2023-24* 

Effective educators are essential to improving student outcomes. High-quality evaluations focus on educator growth by providing important feedback to help educators improve their practice to impact the lives of students. Information regarding educator evaluation requirements for the 2023-24 academic year [ [link removed] ] and resources are now available. Other essential information and resources for educator evaluation implementation  is available on the Michigan Department of Education website [ [link removed] ].

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Noteworthy News
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Future Proud Michigan Educators GYO Grant
*Second Round of Future Proud Michigan Educator Grow Your Own Grant Applications Now Open*

Last week, the Office of Educator Excellence (OEE) announced that it is currently welcoming applications for a second round of 27b Grow Your Own grants, with $91.9 million in federal funds available for districts to support non-certificated school staff earn teacher certification or current teachers earn additional endorsements.

Intermediate school districts and local education agencies, both traditional and public school academies, are invited to apply, regardless of past GYO grant application status. MDE especially invites districts whose first round applications were not selected for funding to apply again in this second round.

Please refer to the July 14th special edition of the Educationally Speaking newsletter [ [link removed] ], as well as information available on the Future Proud Michigan Educator GYO Grants website [ [link removed] ] and the newly updated FAQ page [ [link removed] ] for more details specific to the second round of 27b GYO grants. As always, questions about the GYO grants can be directed to [email protected]. 



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PME

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*Future Michigan Teachers Highlighted in Latest #proudMIeducator Videos* 

 Students in teacher preparation programs offer a variety of reasons why they are choosing education as their profession, in a group of videos released during Teacher Appreciation Month by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).  

 These future proud Michigan educators are Central Michigan University (CMU) teacher candidates and explain their reasons why they are training to become teachers in the latest segment of the #proudMIeducator video series. The videos are viewable in the Future Proud Michigan Educator Playlist [ [link removed] ] and at the links below.  

CMU Teacher Candidate: Anah Murphy [ [link removed] ] 
CMU Teacher Candidate: Blake Maxwell [ [link removed] ] 
CMU Teacher Candidate: Bryce Harger [ [link removed] ] 
CMU Teacher Candidate: Chelsea McDaniel [ [link removed] ] 
CMU Teacher Candidate: Erin Enright [ [link removed] ] 
CMU Teacher Candidate: Irene Cline [ [link removed] ] 
CMU Teacher Candidate: Isabel Stefanelli [ [link removed] ] 
CMU Teacher Candidate: Jenna Allen [ [link removed] ] 
CMU Teacher Candidate: Madeline Welsch [ [link removed] ] 
CMU Teacher Candidate: Travell Weatherby [ [link removed] ] 

If you know a proud Michigan educator who should be considered for a future video feature, please email [email protected]. 

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*Michigan Teacher of the Year (MTOY)* 

On August 8, 2023, the 2023-24 Michigan Teacher of the Year, Candice Jackson, a third-grade teacher at Mann Learning Community in Detroit Public Schools Community District, will be introduced at the State Board of Education meeting in Lansing. Jackson is also the 2023-24 Region 10 Teacher of the Year. The nine other 2023-24 Regional Teachers of the Year will also be introduced. They 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 visual 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 School in Lincoln Consolidated Schools    

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

 To learn more about the 2024-2025 Regional Teachers of the Year, please visit the Michigan Teacher of the Year [ [link removed] ] website. 

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Teacher Discounts [ [link removed] ]

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Upcoming Opportunities
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Understanding and Supporting Gifted Learners EduPaths Course 

Who are gifted learners? In this EduPaths course [ [link removed] ], characteristics of gifted learners are discussed that affect their educational needs. This overview course sets the stage for subsequent modules that will give educators a comprehensive understanding of gifted learners' academic and non-academic needs. The estimated duration is one hour and SCECHs will be approved in three weeks.  

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Explore Conference Save the Date

EXPLORE Educator Conference

Educators working with Future Proud Michigan Educator EXPLORE programs are encouraged to save the date for a conference opportunity on October 10th and 11th.  The Future Proud Michigan Educator EXPLORE conference will be the first annual opportunity for EXPLORE educators (current and potential) to meet, learn, and exchange ideas. The primary purpose of the conference is to build a network of EXPLORE teachers that will provide support for educators, resources for programs, and continuous improvement for EXPLORE resources.  Breakout sessions and panels will offer a chance to address frequent questions and highlight best practices, and the event will close with student presentations and an address from state superintendent Dr. Rice. The sessions are designed to support collaboration across systems to facilitate the success of future educators in grades 6-12. 

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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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*Heat up summer learning!* 

With the arrival of summer, continued learning is more important than ever given students’ academic and social and emotional needs following the COVID-19 pandemic. Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) rounded up resources to help educators, families, and students build learning experiences into their summer breaks.  


* To support early reading [ [link removed] ] and early math [ [link removed] ] learning for children in kindergarten through grade 3, *REL Midwest* collaborated with the Michigan Department of Education to develop a set of easy-to-use guides for families, out-of-school providers, and other caregivers. 
* A *REL Southeast* infographic highlights evidence-based strategies for preventing summer learning loss [ [link removed] ], and a *REL Appalachia* blog post shares resources that education leaders, practitioners, and families can use to maintain momentum for summer learning [ [link removed] ]. 

* A *REL Mid-Atlantic* blog post describes how New Jersey is engaging students in the creative arts [ [link removed] ] to support the development of social and emotional competencies and help students process trauma from the pandemic in a healthy, productive, and creative way. 
* Developed by expert panels, *What Works Clearinghouse* practice guides can help ensure summer programming aligns with evidence-based practices. Offerings include Structuring Out-of-School Time to Improve Academic Achievement [ [link removed] ] and Organizing Instruction and Study to Improve Student Learning [ [link removed] ]. 

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"Copyright © 2023 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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