Issue 40 | March 2023
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.
Teacher Appreciation Month
Recognizing Michigan's hardworking and dedicated educators, including celebrating the work of classroom teachers during the entire month of May, is an important piece of the Michigan Department of Education's (MDE) strategic initiative.
MDE invites students, parents, guardians, and community members to help highlight our state's incredible teachers and show their gratitude to those teachers who have positively impacted them through a digital video submission to recognize and thank a specific teacher for his/her impact. Current educators may also choose to show gratitude for a teacher who supported their growth into the education field.
Teacher appreciation videos may be submitted using the online form at http://bit.ly/3xIYhpe. Creation of a Google account may be required for video submission. For questions, please email [email protected]. Please do not email videos.
Submitted videos will be posted on the teacher appreciation webpage and the MDE YouTube channel. Follow the MDE’s Office of Educator Excellence (@MIeducator) on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages throughout the month of May using the tag #MITeachAppreesh.
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 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.
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Northern Michigan University – Bay Mills Community College Partnership for Anishinaabemowin Teacher Certification: A Model Collaboration
In 2021, Michigan's first teacher preparation program to endorse teachers of Anshinaabemowin Language and Culture was approved. The program is a collaborative effort between Bay Mills Community College, Northern Michigan University’s (NMU) Center for Native American Studies, and NMU’s School of Education, Leadership, and Public Service. This partnership provides a seamless pathway to teacher certification and endorsement between the two institutions and serves as a model for innovative inter-institutional partnerships for teacher preparation. Read more about the program in Northern Today.
MDE Welcomes Recommendations of Outstanding Teachers and Principals
Correction: The previous newsletter shared incorrect information about the grade level focus. The correct information is below.
The Michigan Talent Pool is a group of elementary and secondary educators nominated by their supervisors that the Michigan Department of Education draws upon throughout the year when opportunities for engagement and recognition become available. For 2023, the Michigan Department of Education is focusing on early and mid-career educational leaders primarily working with students in grades PreK-12.
We welcome recommendations of outstanding classroom teachers and/or principals who exhibit strong potential for professional leadership, and demonstrate the following:
- Exceptional educational talent as evidenced by effective instructional practices and student learning results in the classroom and school;
- Exemplary educational accomplishments beyond the classroom;
- Contributions to education that are largely unheralded, yet are worthy of the spotlight; and
- An engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues and the community.
Recommendations to the Talent Pool should be submitted by the nominee's supervisor and can be made via the online recommendation form.
The nomination form includes a one-page letter of recommendation explaining how the nominee meets the above criteria. Please note that these recommendations are confidential and should not be discussed with the recommended educator or others in your school or community.
Please direct any questions to Jennifer Robel at [email protected].
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MDE Hosts 2023 Education Workforce Job Fairs
Developing, supporting, and sustaining a high-quality, prepared, and collaborative education workforce is a high priority of the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). That's why in 2023 we're hosting Education Workforce Job Fairs to connect job seekers and those hiring teachers, substitute teachers, bus drivers, custodians, paraprofessionals, secretaries, administrators, and other education-related positions.
Find out more by visiting the Education Workforce Job Fairs webpage.
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New #ProudMIEducator Video
Coming from an immigrant family of 15 kids, two siblings have made successful careers as proud Michigan educators and share their inspiring story in the latest #proudMIeducator video. Ana Aleman-Putman, former principal at Grandville East Elementary School, and Alfredo Aleman, an elementary teacher for Kalamazoo Public Schools, use their experiences growing up to help motivate and educate children to reach for success themselves. Mrs. Aleman-Putnam is now the Student Academic Excellence and Well Being Coordinator for the Grandville Public School District.
Since 2016, the #proudMIeducator series has featured educators and supporters of Michigan educators who share their passion for education. The full playlist can be found on the MDE YouTube page. If you know a proud Michigan educator who should be considered for a future video feature, please email [email protected].
Michigan Teacher of the Year (MTOY)
Organizational Practices: Connecting Systems Research to Practice
Drawing from systems level research, the purpose of this Early Math & Literacy Essentials event is to (re)connect with the revised PK-5 General Education Leadership Network (GELN) Organizational Practices, build momentum, develop relationships, and network. The event will be flexible. Participants will be able to register for a single day or both April 11th and 12th at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing. All sessions will be recorded if you choose not to attend the face-to-face sessions.
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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 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.
SAS-EVAAS Highlights Michigan’s Anchor Bay and Armada Area School Districts Use of Student Growth Projections
Michigan’s Armada Area and Anchor Bay school districts wanted to evolve from a focus on attaining grade-level standards to nurturing individual potential by introducing students to an array of opportunities. Using SAS Education Visualization and Analytics Solution (EVAAS) for K-12 was instrumental in both school districts’ evolutions in monitoring academic growth and identifying students who could benefit from additional support, enrichment or a nudge. Click to read the rest of the story.
New Documentary Supporting Michigan Learners Toward Excellence in Reading
Gear up for National Reading Month in March with a new Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Midwest documentary, produced with Detroit Public Television. The program explores strategies that districts and schools can use to accelerate reading growth for young learners and features the perspectives of educators in two Michigan districts: Detroit Public Schools Community District and Chippewa Hills School District.
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