Rural Educator Credentialing Hub

As part of an important and innovative effort to address the shortage of certified teachers in the state of Michigan, grant funding has been awarded to create the Michigan Consortium for Addressing Rural Education Expansion and Retention (MiCAREER). MiCAREER is a consortium of universities and PK-12 rural districts supporting rural educators in obtaining their credentials. MiCAREER offers no-cost pathways to certification that focus on experiential learning and a variety of candidate supports throughout the certification process. MiCAREER connects participants with programs across the consortium universities, provides mentoring, and reduces the burden on districts by increasing the number of credentialed teachers and administrators.  

Participating Universities:

• Central Michigan University
• Eastern Michigan University
• Michigan State University
• Northern Michigan University
• Saginaw Valley State University

Who Can We Support?

• Individuals working in a rural district who have completed or nearly completed formal teacher preparation but have not yet been certified.
• Individuals with at least a bachelor’s degree who are working successfully in a rural district under temporary credentials.
• Current, veteran educators working in rural districts who are seeking to expand their credentials.

How Can I Learn More?

• Visit the MiCAREER website.
• Review the current list of certifications offered within MiCAREER.
• What more information? Complete our request for information form.
• Questions can be directed to micareer@cmich.edu.

National School Counseling Week

National School Counseling Week 2025 (#NSCW25) was Feb. 3-7, 2025, focusing public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems. The theme is: School Counseling: Helping Students Thrive. National School Counseling Week, sponsored by ASCA, highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. Be sure to check out the following resources: National School Counseling Week downloads and the National School Counseling Week promotional items.

Surprise! Frankenmuth Teacher Receives $25,000 Milken Educator Award

It was an historic day at E.F. Rittmueller Middle School for middle school teacher Luke Kanine (pronounced “KUH-nine”). When Kanine and his students arrived at the schoolwide assembly, they expected a visit from Michigan State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice. Instead, Rice joined Milken Family Foundation Senior Program Director Greg Gallagher to surprise Kanine with the Milken Educator Award and a check for $25,000! Kanine, a Spanish and P.E. teacher and behavior interventionist, received the prestigious national honor in front of cheering students, colleagues, dignitaries and media. Today marks an historic day for Frankenmuth School District as Kanine becomes the first teacher in its history to earn this distinction. He is also the only Michigan educator to receive the Award in the 2024-25 season.

“Luke Kanine’s whole-child approach illustrates his care and commitment for everyone he encounters at E.F. Rittmueller and within the community,” said Gallagher. “Whether building Spanish language skills, helping people lead healthy lives, mentoring colleagues, or strengthening school culture, Luke loves this community, and it shows. We are proud to welcome him into the Milken Educator Network today.”

Kanine joins over 3,000 Milken Educators spanning the Awards’ nearly 40-year history as the nation’s preeminent teacher-recognition program. Hailed as the “Oscars of Teaching,” the Milken Educator Awards inspire educators, students and entire communities to “Celebrate, Elevate and Activate” the K-12 teaching profession and encourage young, capable people to pursue teaching as a career. More than $75 million in individual financial prizes and more than $145 million have been invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall.

“Congratulations to Luke for his outstanding work with Frankenmuth students,” said Dr. Rice. “Encouraging children to set personal fitness goals, helping them learn a world language, and working to make school an engaging, safe space, whether they are in physical education or Spanish class, is a significant contribution to his students. Thanks to Luke and all the proud Michigan educators in our classrooms.”

Outstanding educators like Kanine are not aware of their candidacy for the Award. Recipients are sought out while early- to mid-career for what they have achieved — and for the promise of what they will accomplish given the resources and opportunities afforded by the Award. 

About the Milken Educator Awards: “The Future Belongs to the Educated” The first Milken Educator Awards were presented by the Milken Family Foundation in 1987. Created by philanthropist and education visionary Lowell Milken, the Awards provide public recognition and individual financial rewards of $25,000 to K-12 teachers, principals, and specialists from around the country who are furthering excellence in education. Recipients are heralded in early- to mid-career for what they have achieved and for the promise of what they will accomplish. The Milken Family Foundation celebrates more than 40 years of elevating education in America and around the world. Learn more at MFF.org.

Talent Pool

The Michigan Talent Pool is a group of elementary and secondary educators nominated by their supervisors that MDE draws upon throughout the year when opportunities for engagement and recognition become available.

We welcome recommendations of outstanding classroom teachers and/or principals who exhibit strong potential for professional leadership, and demonstrate the following:

• Exceptional educational talent as evidenced by effective instructional practices and student learning results in the classroom and school;
• Exemplary educational accomplishments beyond the classroom;
• Contributions to education that are largely unheralded, yet are worthy of the spotlight; and
• An engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues and the community.

Recommendations to the Talent Pool should be submitted by the nominee's supervisor and can be made via the online recommendation form.

The nomination form includes a one-page letter of recommendation explaining how the nominee meets the above criteria. Please note that these recommendations are confidential and should not be discussed with the recommended educator or others in your school or community.

Please direct any questions to Jennifer Robel at RobelJ@Michigan.gov.