Michigan State University’s Office of K-12 Outreach has teamed up with the Michigan Department of Education to shine a spotlight on the excellent work being done by educators across the state, as well as to provide learning opportunities to positively impact teachers’ professional growth.
“Our collaboration with Michigan State University is helping support our teaching professionals and sharpen the skills of our proud Michigan educators,” said Interim State Superintendent Sheila Alles. “High-quality teachers being at their best will improve student learning and help drive Michigan’s goal to become a Top 10 education state in 10 years.
Today marks the release of the latest video in the #proudMIeducator series, showcasing an additional piece of the collaboration: the Conscious Practitioner Summer Institute. The video provides an in-depth look at this incredible three-day learning opportunity attended by more than 100 educators on the MSU campus in 2018.
The Conscious Practitioner Summer Institute was designed to give educators tools and strategies to think critically and engage deeply in matters of instruction. The agenda included discussions regarding education-related public policy initiatives, lessons on how coaching, instruction and crucial conversations play a role in becoming a conscious practitioner, and guidance on becoming a National Board Certified Teacher.
The institute already is showing signs of its impact, with 10 of the 130 participants selected to begin the rigorous and prestigious National Board Certification process.
The collaboration is supported with $250,000 in grant funding.
“Every child deserves a high-quality teacher, and the Office of K-12 Outreach continues to provide support and technical assistance to educators across our state,” said Bryan Beverly, acting director for the office. “This collaboration with MSU, Eaton Regional Education Service Agency and the Michigan Department of Education has been a robust learning opportunity for teachers and administrators, and we all remain committed to strengthening the ties between teaching and learning.”
The #proudMIeducator movement
The videos and Conscious Practitioner Summer Institute are part of a greater effort by MDE to recognize, celebrate and enhance the work being done by the state’s educators as it works to make Michigan a Top 10 education state in 10 years.
Several Michigan educators have been highlighted for their teaching practices, as part of the #proudMIeducator series, including Laura Chang, Bryan Forney and Robyne Muray.
The videos are produced by Jeff Cech of the MSU Office of K-12 Outreach.
Today’s video release also coincides with national #LoveTeaching Week – a grassroots campaign started by National and State Teachers of the Year in 2015 as an opportunity to celebrate teaching, leading and learning in a way that unites and invigorates educators and those they inspire all around the world.