Issue 22 | December 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.
It's Recertification Season!
Schools/Districts: Tis’ the season to review educator credentials! Schools/districts should begin the annual review of staff credentials for 2022. Remind educators with a credential expiring June 30, 2022 to log into the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) to begin updating account information. Certificates can be renewed beginning January 1 without any loss of validity! Remember, districts can face costly state-aid deductions for employing educators without appropriate credentials.
Educators: Work with your employer to ensure you are ready for the 2022-2023 academic year! Log into the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) to check the status of a credential and professional learning to proactively prevent an accidental lapse. While there is no state issued or legal penalty to an educator for a lapsed credential, educators are responsible for maintaining valid Michigan credentials for employment and may face district contract issues for lapses. If employed by a Michigan, attending the District Provided Professional Development (DPPD) legally required to be offered should provide you with the necessary hours needed to recertify. Both the Standard Teaching Certificate and Professional Teaching Certificate are renewable without educator evaluation ratings or DPPD. View all the options here! Progressing to the Professional Teaching Certificate or Advanced Teaching Certificate do require educator evaluation labels. For more information, visit Recertification Without Educator Evaluation in Response to COVID-19.
Returning Home for the Holidays
At the end of every year, the holiday season is the perfect occasion to make memories with the people you care about most. Connecting with friends, family and loved ones makes our hearts full, and inspires us to give. As the holiday season is upon us, we find ourselves gathering with those we hold dear and who have moved away. Wishing your loved one a “Welcome Home” is a great way to spread joy and show you care about Michigan schools. Returning to Michigan to teach is as easy as singing fa-la-la!
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Future Proud Michigan Educator “Explore” Program Opportunity
Earlier this year, Michigan Department of Education (MDE) launched the Future Proud Michigan Educator (Future PME) initiative as a continuation of Michigan’s efforts to grow and diversify the educator workforce and reduce educator shortages. The newest pathway, referred to a “Explore,” provides an expanded opportunity for students in grades 6-12 to explore education professions. Since the launch of Future PME Explore, MDE has developed several resources to support Explore, including:
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Resources to provide school districts with flexible models for implementation, curricular planning resources (competencies and pacing guides), and guidance for staffing the course.
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Virtual student learning modules developed in partnership between MDE and Michigan Virtual. Those modules are hosted on an open-source platform, available to any interested district, and as a free-standing virtual course for districts who face barriers to hosting or staffing the course.
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Professional Learning created and hosted through the MDE and Michigan Virtual partnership, which supports educators who are developing programs and courses. The professional learning awards state continuing education hours, and is both self-paced and cost-free.
If you are interested in building a Future PME Explore opportunity in your local area, visit bit.ly/FuturePME.
Reminder of Mandated Reporter and Michigan Code of Educational Ethics Resources
In support of safe school environments for students, the department suggests that all local education agencies (LEAs), both traditional public school districts and public school academies (PSAs), provide annual professional learning to address the requirements of mandated reporting, handling disclosure, and the responsibilities set forth in the Michigan Code of Educational Ethics.
A variety of training materials including PowerPoints, legal language, video vignettes, and podcasts can be located on the Michigan Department of Education Code of Educational Ethics website.
For questions about the resources, the Michigan Code of Educational Ethics, or mandated reporting, please contact the educator helpline at 517-241-5000 or MDE-EducatorHelp@Michigan.gov.
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Educator Evaluation Highly Effective Exemption
Many educators are wondering how the 2019-20 “No Eval Emergency order” entry affects eligibility for the highly effective exemption. Consistent with the guidance released in Fall 2020, the “No Eval Emergency order” does not interrupt three otherwise consecutive ratings. Educators are eligible for the highly effective exemption and may have the “09” Exemption label reported in the Registry of Educational Personnel for the 2021-22 academic year in the following scenarios:
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2017-18: Highly Effective, 2018-19: Highly Effective, 2019-20 “No Eval Emergency order”, 2020-21: Highly Effective
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2017-18: Highly Effective Exemption, 2018-19: Highly Effective, 2019-20 “No Eval Emergency order”, 2020-21: Highly Effective
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2017-18: Highly Effective, 2018-19: Highly Effective Exemption, 2019-20 “No Eval Emergency order” 2020-21: Highly Effective
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2018-19: Highly Effective, 2019-20: Highly Effective, 2020-21: Highly Effective
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST)
Nominations are now open for educators teaching math or science content to students in grades K-6. To nominate an educator or begin an application, visit the program website, www.paemst.org. Additional information, including application support and more information about the program can also be found at the website.
If you are not a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) educator who works directly with students in grades K-12 and are interested in sharing your expertise with the PAEMST program, we would welcome your involvement as a mentor or reviewer. Mentors are individuals who use their knowledge of STEM teaching to assist applicants in crafting a compelling application, and reviewers score submitted applications.
REL Tool: Supporting Integrated English Learner Student Instruction – A Guide to Assess Professional Learning Needs
Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) West and the Region 15 Comprehensive Center have developed a guide to assess teacher professional learning needs related to implementing research-based recommendations for the instruction of elementary-grade English learner students.
At the center of this guide are two tools—the Teacher Self-Reflection Tool and the Classroom Observation Tool—that are used to collect information about teacher practice and needs related to the recommendations from the What Works Clearinghouse Practice Guide Teaching Academic Content and Literacy to English Learners in Elementary and Middle School. The guide includes a 10-step process for using the information it generates, as well as step-by-step guidance, data templates and discussion protocols, and district scenarios. It was developed with input and feedback from the Arizona Department of Education and English learner coordinators from districts across the state. It was also piloted by several districts in Arizona to ensure its clarity and usability.
Webinar Series: Creating Culturally Affirming Spaces
In this two-part archived series, presenters discussed the practical knowledge and leadership skills needed to create culturally affirming spaces and make schools more safe and supportive environments for culturally, linguistically, and gender-diverse students.
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