Issue 15 | May 2021
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.
Welcome Back Proud Michigan Educators
Do you or someone you know have an expired teaching certificate? You may be eligible for recertification and return to teaching as part of the Welcome Back Proud Michigan Educator Campaign!
The Welcome Back PME campaign allows you to seek immediate employment and partner with a district to reduce or eliminate the professional learning hours needed for recertification.
Educators that participate in the campaign may be eligible for immediate recertification or may be hired at full pay and benefits on a substitute teaching permit while some or all professional learning hours are provided by the district.
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Superintendent’s Workforce Guide
The Spring Edition of the Superintendent’s Workforce Guide is now available. Topics include:
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Recruiting and developing the local educator workforce
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Recognizing outstanding educators
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Introducing the Welcome Back Proud Michigan Educator Campaign
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Evaluating educators for the 2020-21 School Year
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Updating the Educational Entity Master to support statewide communication
Attention Administrators! We Need Early Career Teachers to Help with Teacher Tests
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is working with the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson to develop new certification tests for elementary school teachers that are based on the recently adopted Lower Elementary (PK-3) and Upper Elementary (3-6) Teacher Preparation Standards. We are looking for teachers with three years or less of experience to review items for these new tests.
To nominate one or more teachers to participate in this important activity, visit Michigan Tests for Teacher Certification (nesinc.com). Teachers can apply at the same link. Evaluation Systems will reimburse districts for the cost of a substitute teacher. Participating teachers will earn State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) for their participation.
Job-Seeker Registration Now Open for Virtual Job Fairs
The next education workforce job fairs are scheduled for June 16th and 17th. These virtual fairs are hosted by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO). Each fair is open to individuals seeking to work in the education field as well as to employers of educators and educational support staff.
For more information, including registration, please visit: http://bit.ly/MIEducation_JobFairs. If you are unable to attend the June dates, mark your calendar for the August 4th and 5th fairs.
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Educator Evaluation Guidance
MDE has released several resources to support educator evaluations for the 2020-21 academic year, including:
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2021-2022 Michigan Teacher of the Year Announced
Congratulations to 2021-2022 Region 6 Teacher of the Year Leah Porter, who was named the 2021-2022 Michigan Teacher of the Year!
Leah is a kindergarten teacher at Wilcox Elementary in Holt Public Schools. She will serve with her 9 fellow 2021-2022 Regional Teachers of the Year on the Michigan Teacher Leadership Advisory Council (MTLAC) during the upcoming school year.
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Michigan Teacher Leader Advisory Council Presentations
#ProudMIEducator Blog
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 some current offerings.
Children Matter. You Matter. Learn SEL.
Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the bridge upon which all learning occurs. Reading social cues, identifying feelings, and working with a range of emotions are essential skills children need to navigate both the pandemic and the disruption with online and in-person learning. The skills of self-awareness, self-management, and social awareness enhance decision-making and teach a child how to connect with and befriend others. Take two hours and complete this free, online module prior to September 6, 2021 to improve your knowledge of SEL. Learn more.
New REL Midwest Report Explores What Keeps Teachers Out of the Classroom in Michigan
A REL Midwest report examines why some certified teachers in Michigan are not teaching in public schools and explores incentives that could motivate teachers to return to the classroom. The study looks at teacher data from 2013/14 to 2017/18, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more.
Video Highlights Evidence-based Strategies to Support Reading for Understanding in Kindergarten Through Grade 3
Young readers often struggle to decode unfamiliar words, a skill that requires a strong foundation in both phonemic awareness and phonics. A new video highlights evidence-based practices for teaching decoding to early readers. The strategies are based on the What Works Clearinghouse practice guide Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade.
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Resource Roundup: Evidence-based Strategies to Cultivate Early Literacy Skills as Young Students Return to School
Check out these resources and events from the REL network and the What Works Clearinghouse to explore research and strategies for supporting early childhood literacy development. Read more.
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Running Records for Early Literacy Assessment Training
When assessing students’ early literacy skills, one challenge teachers face is identifying where and how students are struggling with reading. This training, designed to be delivered in two sessions, guides teachers, literacy coaches, and academic interventionists in using running records for formative assessment to identify where early readers need help. Read more.
Question: Do you have a list of districts on your website participating in the Welcome Back Proud Michigan Educators Campaign?
Answer: Yes! The Welcome Back PME webpage has the list of districts participating in the Welcome Back Proud Michigan Educator campaign. Check back weekly for updates!
Question: I saw on the news there is a new alternative route approved in Michigan geared toward Black men (people of color in general). How do I sign up?
Answer: We are so excited that you want to become a Proud Michigan Educator! As soon as we have contact information available for the New Paradigm for Educators Alternative Route program, you will be able to find it here. We will also include it in an upcoming newsletter, so stay tuned.
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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