Educationally Speaking - Issue 33 |November 2022

Issue 33 | November 2022

Be sure your email address is up-to-date in the Michigan Online Educator Certification System to receive important notifications regarding YOUR certificate.

Please see the archived newsletters for other important information that affects licensure.

The Promising Practices Exchange is Open for Submissions

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is reminding intermediate school districts (ISDs) and local education agencies (LEAs), both traditional public school districts and public school academies (PSAs), that the Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan: Promising Practices Exchange is available for submissions. Educators across the state are implementing strong practices that improve learner outcomes. MDE invites ISDs and LEAs to share their great work on the Promising Practices Exchange so others can learn from them. For more information, view the Promising Practices Exchange Memo.

The Annual Educator Effectiveness Data Appeals Window Closes December 1st

The Educator Effectiveness Data Appeals Window will be closing on December 1, 2022. Each year, starting on the first business day in September and ending on the first business day in December, districts and public school academies (PSAs) may submit data appeals for inaccurate educator effectiveness ratings for any of the past five years into the Registry of Educational Personnel (REP). To support teacher re-certification, it is essential that educator evaluation and assignment information entered into the REP is accurate. This appeals window is only for the purpose of updating inaccurate effectiveness ratings data within the REP. It is not a process for contesting the outcome of an evaluation. Any data corrected during the appeals window for teachers in instructional roles will appear in the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) immediately after being entered by the district.

Future Proud Michigan Educator EXPLORE Grants are Now Available

The EXPLORE grant application is open! These competitive grants will provide opportunities for schools to implement or expand Future Proud Michigan Educator EXPLORE programs. EXPLORE programs are designed to help students in grades 6-12 learn about educator strategies, systems, and professions. With up to $15,000 per school, grants will support course planning, educator learning, and student activities.

For this and other updates, please visit our Future PME grants page or email
[email protected].

MI Future Educator Fellowship and Student Teacher Stipend

On July 14, 2022, Governor Whitmer signed the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget (Public Act No. 144 of 2022) which funds Student Scholarships, Grants and Outreach (SSGO) programs, a division of the Michigan Department of Treasury within the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning (OPFP), for Academic Year 2022-23, including new programs for our future educators. OPFP recently released program information to local districts. Learn more: MI Future Educator Programs.

Michigan Teacher of the Year (MTOY)

Please take a moment to read the latest blogs from the 2022-23 Michigan Teacher of the Year (MTOY), Nanette Hanson, and Region 3 Teacher of the Year, Bill Boerman, on the Meemic Foundation’s Blog website.

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 for further details.

Free and Low Cost Professional Learning Options

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

New Resources for Educators: Tips for Teaching Academic Content and Literacy to English Learners

The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) just released a practice guide summary and an instructional tips sheet that showcase evidence-based practices educators can use when teaching literacy and other content to English learners in kindergarten through eighth grade. These resources are based on the 2014 WWC practice guide Teaching Academic Content and Literacy to English Learners in Elementary and Middle School. Both the summary and instructional tips are available on the WWC Resources page and include instructional practices that can be used in whole class, small group, or one-on-one settings to improve English language proficiency and literacy; example activities to use during instruction, such as developing definitions with students; and a brief description of the evidence that supports the instructional practices.

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