Issue 42 | May 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.
There are multiple opportunities to support this great effort by sharing out information and updates on personal or organizational social media platforms. Follow OEE on Twitter (@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. When uploading a special shout-out, please tag @MIEducation and @MIEducator including the hashtags #MIteachAppreesh and #PME where possible.
Learn more about Teacher Appreciation Month in the press release.
Thank you for your support of Michigan's teachers!
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The 2023 Education Workforce Job Fair Series: June and August Dates
Increasing the numbers of certified teachers in areas of shortage is one of the eight goals of Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan. In support, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is pleased to offer 2023 Education Workforce Virtual Job Fairs, presented in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO). 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 first job fair was on May 10, 2023 with upcoming job fairs scheduled for June 7, 2023 and August 9, 2023.
School Administrator Certification Annual Reminder
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has the responsibility to ensure that appropriate credentials are in place for school administrators. This memo serves as a reminder to administrators and human resources staff at local education agencies (LEAs), both traditional public school districts and public school academies, to begin the annual review of school administrator roles, responsibilities, and certification requirements.
Educator Effectiveness Ratings Are Not Required for Renewals of the Standard or Professional Teaching Certificate
The Standard Teaching Certificate is Michigan's initial teaching certificate. It is a five-year teaching certificate with unlimited renewals. Each renewal adds five years to the certificate’s validity. Educator effectiveness ratings are not required for the renewal of the standard certificate.
Progression to the Professional Teaching Certificate is optional for Michigan educators. This 2nd tier certificate is a recognition of additional literacy knowledge and teaching experience and is also intended to reflect an educator's completion of new teacher mentoring and induction supports into the profession. Progression to the professional teaching certificate requires effective or highly effective ratings in addition to other requirements.
The Professional Teaching Certificate is a five-year teaching certificate with unlimited renewals. Each renewal adds five years to the certificate’s validity. Educator effectiveness ratings are not required for the renewal of the professional teaching certificate.
Educator effectiveness ratings can be viewed by educators when logged into their Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) profile. Ratings for individual educators can only be viewed by select MDE staff, educators in MOECS, and by the entity that entered the rating. Ratings are not publicly viewable for individual educators.
Detroit Third Grade Teacher Named Michigan Teacher of the Year
Detroit Public Schools Community District third grade teacher Candice Jackson has been named the 2023-24 Michigan Teacher of the Year (MTOY). Jackson is a third-grade teacher at Mann Learning Community and will be entering her 22nd year of teaching in the fall.
Since 1952, one of Michigan’s outstanding teachers has been named Michigan Teacher of the Year and been offered opportunities to serve as an advocate for the teaching profession at the state level. The Michigan Teacher of the Year program is not about finding the “best teacher,” an impossible task; instead, it is about celebrating an outstanding member of the teaching profession and giving Michigan teachers a voice at the state level.
Jackson’s selection as the 2023-24 MTOY comes after a months-long, multi-level competitive process that started with the nomination of more than 150 teachers in the fall of 2022. The field was narrowed twice, and Jackson was named one of the state’s 10 Regional Teachers of the Year (RTOY) in April. Each RTOY then interviewed with a panel of statewide education stakeholders, where each presented a short professional development module and answered questions on topics relevant to issues faced by teachers today.
The 10 RTOYs will work together during the upcoming school year as the 2023-24 Michigan Teacher Leadership Advisory Committee (MTLAC), comprised of this year’s RTOY cohort. During their year of service, group members work directly with MDE and other Michigan educational stakeholders to develop solutions to issues facing the state’s education system, to ensure that the voices of teachers are present in these discussions.
In addition to her work on the MTLAC, Jackson will serve as an advocate for, and representative of, the more than 86,000 public school teachers statewide and will engage in discussions on how best to continue to improve Michigan's schools with a non-voting seat at the State Board of Education table every month and as a member of the Governor’s Educator Advisory Council. Jackson is also the state’s candidate for the prestigious 2024 National Teacher of the Year honor.
Program expenses for the MTOY, as well as the RTOY and MTLAC, are offset through the generous support of The Meemic Foundation, now celebrating its 17th year as the program’s sponsor. The Meemic Foundation presents each RTOY and his or her school with a plaque commemorating the accomplishment.
“As the 17th year sponsor of the MTOY program, the Meemic Foundation proudly joins MDE in recognizing Candice as the new Michigan Teacher of the Year as well as celebrating the achievements of the other nine RTOYs,” said Pam R. Harlin, director of The Meemic Foundation. “The passion of these teacher leaders will serve as needed voices for all Michigan educators and students. Meemic remains committed to supporting Michigan education and salutes the unwavering dedication of all educators.”
Jackson and her fellow RTOYs will be formally recognized by the State Board of Education during a future board meeting. For more information, read the full press release about the MTOY Announcement. To learn more about the MTOY program, the MTLAC and MDE’s other educator recognition efforts, visit MDE’s Recognition Programs webpage.
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Dansville STEAM Educator Featured in Latest #proudMIeducator Video
An innovative 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 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.
Since 2016, the #proudMIeducator series has featured educators and supporters of Michigan educators who share their passion for education. View all past videos on the #proudMIeducator YouTube playlist. If you know a proud Michigan educator who should be considered for a future video feature, please email MDE-PME@Michigan.gov. For more information, visit the #proudMIeducator webpage.
Michigan Teacher of the Year (MTOY)
Holocaust Center Summer Professional Development Academy
Registration is now open for the Zekelman Holocaust Center Summer Professional Development Academy on August 7-10, 2023. For participants that register by June 15th and attend this summer, the Holocaust Center will waive the SCECH application fees for participant SCECHs (up to 25 available). Also, for participants this summer, there will be an opportunity to sign-up for pre-booking for the center’s new core exhibit that will have its grand reopening in January 2024. In addition, each day will include lunch for participants, access to a bus subsidy program and much more! Spots are limited, so save your spot today!
MiMTSS Social, Emotional, Behavioral, & Mental Health Summer Symposium
Michigan’s MTSS Technical Assistance Center (MiMTSS TA) is excited to host an in-person Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Mental Health Symposium: Creating and Sustaining Safe, Positive, and Engaging Environments. This symposium is open to any district and school-based educator in Michigan, with the first day focusing on early childhood settings and the second day focusing on K-12 settings. We welcome you to join us to network and learn together! For more information and the registration link, please review the event flyer.
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.
Have Your Students Plant Trees
Tree-Plenish™ is a youth-led 501(c)(3) non-profit that works with high school students across the country to help them host tree-planting events in their communities. The organization is committed to making a more equitable impact in the urban communities. This past year, Tree-Plenish worked with over 300 schools to plant more than 45,000 tree saplings across the country. Tree-Plenish is interested in connecting with more of Michigan’s middle and high schools to host a Tree-Plenish event during the 2023-2024 school year. This informational presentation shares more about Tree-Plenish.
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