Issue 41 | April 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.
Student Growth Metrics Available through Public Website
The State School Aid Act subsection (5) requires that the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) make data publicly available on an external website that provides student growth metrics at the district and school level by grade and subject. The development of the site was provided by the MI-EVAAS value-added reporting platform and the public facing web site was launched on March 31, 2023.
This release of the EVAAS public site includes scatterplots, a visual representation of growth and achievement results for public schools and districts. These plots reflect the student enrollment included in EVAAS growth reporting in 2022.
Comparison reports are now publicly available that provide growth measures for all districts and schools in Michigan. This information allows for comparison of schools and districts across the state and includes interactive reports for selecting the data of interest.
District and School Value-Added Reports are coming soon; these reports provide reliable measures of the average academic growth a district or school's students made in each tested grade and subject or course.
The 2023 Education Workforce Job Fair Series Begins Next Month
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is pleased to offer a series of Education Workforce Virtual Job Fairs. The 2023 virtual job fairs are open to employers of educators and educational support staff, as well as all individuals seeking to work in the education field. The Brazen platform, which features increased functionality and ease of use, will ensure a robust experience for employers and job seekers.
The first job fair will take place on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. Future job fairs will be held on June 7, 2023 and August 9, 2023. The job fairs are free of charge for all intermediate school districts (ISDs) and local education agencies (LEAs), both traditional school districts and public school academies (PSAs), educator staffing agencies, and all job-seeking candidates.
MDE Names 2023-24 Regional Teachers of the Year
In addition to the many roles that they play in their schools, ten Michigan educators have a new title: 2023-24 Regional Teacher of the Year (RTOY). Each of these outstanding educators will also be a finalist for 2023-24 Michigan Teacher of the Year (MTOY).
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) organizes the Teacher of the Year program to honor and elevate teacher voice. Honorees comprise the Michigan Teacher Leader Advisory Council (MTLAC) and will have the opportunity to share their experiences and knowledge as they work with stakeholders to strengthen Michigan’s public schools for students and educators.
The 2023-24 Regional Teachers of the Year are:
Region 1: Gina Pepin, a reading teacher at Lemmer Elementary in Escanaba Area Public Schools
Region 2: Brandi Clark, a mathematics teacher at Kalkaska Middle School in Kalkaska Public Schools
Region 3: Stephanie Nielsen, a kindergarten teacher at Shawmut Hills Academy in Grand Rapids Public Schools
Region 4: Bridgit Sova, a special education teacher at H.H. Dow High School in Midland Public Schools
Region 5: Jennifer Senkmajer, a fourth grade teacher at Yale Elementary School in Yale Public Schools
Region 6: Nicole Minor, a mathematics teacher at Lansing Eastern High School in Lansing School District
Region 7: Jaime Hilaski, a virtual arts teacher at Schoolcraft Junior-Senior High School in Schoolcraft Community Schools
Region 8: Lori Richert, a second and third grade teacher at Childs Elementary in Lincoln Consolidated Schools
Region 9: Vanessa Robert, a kindergarten teacher at Canton Charter Academy in Canton
Region 10: Candice Jackson, a third grade teacher at Mann Learning Community in Detroit Public Schools Community District
New #proudMIeducator Video Released
An innovate educator who uses technology and student teamwork to build confidence in problem solving in every facet of a student’s life is featured in the latest #proudMIeducator video released today by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).
Angela St. Amant, a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) educator at Dansville Schools, has transformed her classroom into a themed, interactive simulator that is a learning environment that teaches students teamwork, critical thinking, problem solving, and effective communication, as well as increases interest and enthusiasm in STEAM topics. All these elements combine to create an immersive learning environment that challenges students to use all their right- and left-brain skills, plus teamwork, to solve complex problems.
To learn more, read the press release or visit the #proudMIeducator webpage.
Michigan Teacher of the Year (MTOY)
Teacher Appreciation Week
This year, Teacher Appreciation Week is May 8-12, but we're preparing to celebrate teachers during the entire month of May. The Office of Educator Excellence (OEE) has gathered videos of students showing their appreciation toward their teachers. The videos will be shared on a special Teacher Appreciation Month website, as well as on the MDE’s YouTube account (https://www.youtube.com/@michdepted).
There are multiple opportunities to support this great effort by sharing out information and updates on personal or organizational social media platforms. By following the OEE on Twitter at @MIEducator and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MIEducator; anyone can help “boost the signal.”
In addition, OEE encourages anyone to post a Proud Michigan Educator "Shout Out" on their own social media platforms. These shout-outs can be in any format: photos, videos, and text with hashtags or links are all welcome. When uploading a special shout-out, please tag @MIEducation and @MIEducator, including the hashtags #MIteachAppreesh and #PME where possible.
Thank you for your support of Michigan's teachers!
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.
Teachers of Color Virtual Job Fairs
These hiring events will allow teaching candidates to participate in interviews and discuss career opportunities with schools. If you have any questions, please contact Joanne Sosa at jsosa@teacherjobfairs.org or call 718-902-5926.
Additional dates for upcoming fairs include: May 1, June 16, September 8, and November 2.
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