Issue 24 | February 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.
Grow Your Own Grants Open!
The Future Proud Michigan Educator (PME) initiative is currently aimed at supporting local efforts to “Grow Your Own” (GYO) Educators. Phase 1 GYO grants are open for application until March 18th.
The second GYO grant, for students in grades 6-12, will provide $2,500 per school to fund school clubs, professional learning and student visits to educator preparation programs.
Student Loan Forgiveness
In the last year, the United States Department of Education has discharged nearly $5 billion dollars to 70,000 borrowers through the revamped Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Visit https://studentaid.gov/pslf to learn more.
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2022 Winter Superintendent Workforce Guide
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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Save the Date: Statewide Education Workforce Job Fairs
The 2022 statewide Education Workforce Job Fairs have been scheduled for May 11 in Lansing at Lansing Community College West, June 7 is virtual, and August 11 in Livonia at Schoolcraft College. These job fairs are hosted by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), in cooperation with the Department of Labor and 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 and to register, please visit https://bit.ly/MDEJobFair.
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2020-21 Michigan Department of Education Annual Report
After months of researching, coordinating, writing, and designing by staff across the department, the 2020-21 MDE Annual Report is available. The report features MDE efforts to focus on supporting Michigan’s students and staff whether they were teaching and learning in person or at a distance during the global pandemic. It is arranged around the goals of Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan, which the State Board of Education approved in August 2020.
There is a lot of great information in the Annual Report that highlights the important work being done at MDE and in local school districts across the state.
New Michigan Teacher Website!
The key features are assisting visitors in finding the right preparation program to become a teacher, explaining certification requirements in Michigan, and resources for financial support options for completing preparation programs for any level of educator. Once teachers are ready to find a job, they are able to explore Michigan’s regions and their school districts.
Explore and share www.michiganteacher.org with colleagues and Future Proud Michigan Educators to ignite a passion for life long learning!
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New #proudMIeducator Video: 2021-22 Michigan Teacher of the Year Leah Porter of Holt Public Schools
Leah Porter, a Third Grade Teacher at Holt Public Schools, is the 2021-22 Michigan Teacher of the Year. Ms. Porter, students, and colleagues share their experiences about how important it is to build a learning community. Watch Leah’s video and other proud Michigan educators’ stories.
Free and Low Cost Professional Learning Options
New Podcast Space for Teachers, Leaders, Families, and Community Partners
The Uncertain Educator podcast, a new series developed at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE), looks at the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact and explores how people have pivoted during these uncertain times. With a focus on understanding mental wellness, the podcast brings together on-the-ground educators and a range of experts to share their findings and experiences since the pandemic began.
Click here to listen to The Uncertain Educator podcast
Free NASDTEC Video Series on Educator Ethics
The NASDTEC Executive Board and the National Association for the Advancement of Educator Ethics (NCAEE) are pleased to announce the release of a new video series and accompanying discussion guide, The Power of Professional Conversations: Model Code of Ethics for Educators. This free video series is a downloadable resource for pre-service and in-service educators to foster conversations about ethical decision-making in a complex, fast-paced profession.
The series is composed of five video segments and a discussion guide related to professional ethics, and more specifically, the Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE).
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