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 Issue 6 | August 2020
IMPORTANT: Be sure your email address is up-to-date in Michigan Online Educator Certification System to receive important notifications regarding YOUR certificate.
MEMO #COVID-19-079 Educator Certification Waivers Extended Through September 30, 2020 in Response to COVID-19
After September 30, 2020, the Michigan Department of Education will no longer be able to issue a temporary, one-year certificate to educators who have not taken and passed the Michigan Test(s) for Teacher Certification. Candidates will need to meet all requirements for certification. Please do not wait until the last minute to apply for this opportunity. For information about registering for an MTTC test, please visit: https://www.mttc.nesinc.com. For questions about certification, please email MDE-EducatorHelp@Michigan.gov.
MEMO #COVID-19-075: Teacher Certification Renewal and Progression Without Educator Evaluation in Response to COVID-19
Executive Order 2020-142 Section 6a, which superseded Executive Order 2020-65 Section VIII(9), permits the renewal of an individual’s teaching certificate regardless of whether the individual has received an annual year-end evaluation for the 2019-20 school year. Individuals who did not receive a rating in the 2019-20 academic year should have received a direct communication to their email address in the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) about how this relates to their certification.
Contact MDE-EducatorHelp@Michigan.gov for questions about educator evaluations.
Please see archived newsletters for other important information that affects licensure as a result of COVID-19.
Did you know you can hire student teachers to fill vacancies using a substitute teaching permit?
Teacher candidates enrolled in teacher preparation programs have long been an underutilized
resource for filling vacancies when a district is having difficulty finding fully certified
teachers—particularly in a time of teacher shortage and during a pandemic. While
certainly not as advantageous as their fully certified counterparts, student teachers may
be beneficial to school districts as employees in certain limited circumstances due to their
demonstrated commitment to the teaching profession and essential entry-level
knowledge and skills for working with students. Read more here.
Did you know certified teachers can add endorsements to their certificates without having to complete a student teaching experience in most endorsement fields?
Did you know that you don’t have to complete a master’s degree or another bachelor’s degree to earn an additional endorsement? Many of Michigan’s approved educator preparation providers offer non-degree and accelerated programs of study for additional endorsements. These providers support certified teachers in gaining valuable teaching experience in new endorsement areas without having to take off a semester from work for student teaching. If you’ve been wanting to add a new endorsement to your certificate, check out our public directory of approved educator preparation programs and contact a provider near you!
Did you know the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) will reimburse educator license fees for veterans with honorable discharges, current service members, and spouses of active duty service members?
Did you also know MDE will extend the validity date of a Michigan teaching certificate for members of a Reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States or National Guard members who are called to active duty and who, at the time of deployment, hold a valid educator license in Michigan? MDE is proud to recognize the sacrifices and contributions of military families. For more information or to request reimbursement, email MDE-EducatorHelp@michigan.gov.
MEMO #066-20 Mandated Reporter Requirements and Code of Ethics Resources
In accordance with Section 3 of MCL 722.623, known as the Child Protection Law, teachers, school counselors, and school administrators are required to make an immediate report of all suspected child abuse and/or neglect as a “mandated reporter.” The Michigan Department of Education suggests that all local educational agencies incorporate mandated reporter and code of ethics training into annual professional development plans. Find mandated reporter and code of ethics training resources here.
June 15, 2020 National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Ethics and Educators Blog: Abolishing the Discomfort
“Amid our country’s most recent racial reckoning, let’s not forget that schools have historically been – and will no doubt continue to be – a legal battleground for society’s struggle with racism, equity and equality."
"The systemic challenges that our educational system faces are profound. But let’s be perfectly clear – it is the individual educator who has the greatest potential to be the arbiter of change and the engine of social progress."
"Regardless of the community or grade level, educators will be navigating difficult and potentially polarizing conversations when school resumes this fall – with colleagues, parents, students – related to race relations, power structures in society, the appropriate methods of confronting and challenging societal inequity, and how best to discuss deeply controversial current events.” Read more.
Reminder: Legislatively Required Professional Learning for School Counselors
To renew a school counselor credential, state law (MCL 380.1233(6)) requires that 50 of the 150 education-related professional learning hours be completed in the following categories:
- 25 hours focused on college preparation and selection (Ex: learning new college admissions requirements, learning how to engage students in virtual campus tours, college visits).
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25 hours focused on career consultation, including 5 hours in the exploration of military career options.
These 50 hours must be accrued through state continuing education clock hours programs (SCECHs). District provided professional development (DPPD), externships, or college credit may be used, but must be approved as a SCECH program using the school counselor category to count toward license and/or certificate renewal.
To find SCECHs specifically designed to meet these requirements, search the SCECH Catalog using the School Counseling category and then check the box of the specific type of program. There are several offerings, including a new free Military Career Course from the Michigan Department of Education.
Special Education Approvals Applications
The Special Education Approvals application pathway within the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) has been updated and modified beginning July 1, 2020. The updates are designed to be more user-friendly and follow the familiar process for permits. Application changes include:
Stay tuned for additional information.
This social media driven, multi-media campaign aims to acknowledge, elevate, and celebrate the work of great educators across the state. Know a Proud Michigan Educator who would be a great choice for a future #proudMIeducator social media post, blog, or video? Download our form to submit a nominee!
Enjoy the first blog from the 2020-2021 Michigan Teacher of the Year, Owen Bondono.
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Educational Technology Professional Learning Resources
Supporting Educators in Preparation for Reopening Schools
Michigan’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MiMTSS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center is sponsoring a series of free webinars to support educators in preparation for reopening schools. The webinars focus on four themes: (1) Positive and Effective School Climate, (2) Social and Emotional Well Being, (3) High Leverage Instruction, and (4) Family Engagement. Each webinar theme will be presented by national experts in the field with a follow-up webinar by state experts from the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). The series will be introduced by MDE executive leadership. Register.
Feedback = Retention
Teacher departures and turnover can pose serious challenges for schools and have a negative impact on student achievement, particularly for low-income students and students of color. A teacher exit survey can help districts and schools better understand why teachers leave and, thus, better target efforts to improve retention. Read more.
Building a Diverse Teacher Workforce
When teachers reflect students’ racial/ethnic and cultural background, the results can be powerful. Learn how Regional Educational Laboratory Midwest is supporting Lansing School District in building a diverse teacher workforce. Read more.
Equity Resources
With the increased focus on racial injustice in our nation, many public schools are prioritizing a commitment to improving equity in the classroom and beyond. To support these efforts, we collected Regional Educational Laboratory resources that focus on equity as relates to opportunity gaps, teacher diversity, culturally responsive practice, social and emotional learning, and remote learning. Read more.
 Question:
"When can retired teachers start subbing? I retired June 2019."
Answer:
Questions about how employment after retirement will affect you or your employees’ benefits should be directed to the Office of Retirement Services.
• Employers: 517-636-0166
Question:
"If I am a recent graduate/completed student teaching and all other requirements, but due to COVID I was not able to take the MTTC tests, can I still work this upcoming school year as a "certified" teacher?"
Answer:
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is authorized to issue a temporary, one-year teaching certificate to individuals who successfully completed all program requirements except Michigan Test(s) for Teacher Certification. Individuals who hold a temporary, one-year certificate can be employed as a certified teacher. Emails were sent to individuals with directions on how to apply. If you did not receive this email and think you may be eligible, please contact MDE-EducatorHelp@Michigan.gov.
The executive order related to COVID-19 providing flexibility will no longer be in effect after September 30, 2020, so act soon. After September 30, 2020, MDE will not be able to issue temporary, one-year certificates.
Do you want specific details or have a "good of the group" question?
Submit a question and it could appear in an upcoming newsletter!
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Copyright © 2020 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 | MDE-EducatorHelp@michigan.gov
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