Professional Development Hub

How do middle school science educators turn curriculum updates into real classroom success?

Navigating curriculum changes, alignment shifts, and lesson planning in isolation is a heavy lift. It is easy for educators to feel like they are reinventing the wheel with every new development.

Professional growth thrives on collaboration rather than isolated practice. When learning facilitators, teacher leaders, and classroom educators actively share a dedicated space, classroom confidence grows naturally. Exchanging direct insights, addressing real-time challenges, and building practical solutions alongside peers who truly understand the day-to-day work drives meaningful instructional progress.

The MiSTAR Science Teacher Connect network is designed to be that collaborative space. It offers educators a community to stay current on curriculum developments, share best practices, and lead implementation with confidence.

Collaborate, grow, and elevate middle school science instruction alongside fellow K-12 educators. Register today at pdhub.link/26CUR0924!

How do you transform your classroom into a place students want to be?

Every educator knows the silent struggle of executing a thoughtfully planned lesson, only to be met with passive compliance or polite nodding. It often feels like the teacher is working much harder than the students in the room.

For a long time, standard practices suggested creating flashy lessons to capture attention. But relying on a daily performance to keep students focused is a fast track to teacher burnout. The moment the performance stops, the engagement vanishes.

Authentic engagement is not about the teacher's performance. It is about co-creating a learning culture rooted in curiosity, student agency, and intrinsic motivation. By shifting the focus from managing compliance to fostering real connection, classroom dynamics completely transform.

Kent ISD is hosting a virtual book study on "Teach for Authentic Engagement" by Lauren Porosoff to explore these principles. This collaborative experience provides classroom-tested, research-backed strategies to cultivate deep student engagement, featuring a special guest session with the author.

Spaces are limited. Register today at bit.ly/26CUR0914!

Running a high school esports team isn't just about plugging in consoles and playing games—it’s about engineering a sustainable program.

Many esports advisors are dedicated educators thrust into coaching without a formal playbook. Between managing team dynamics, mental conditioning, and proving the value of scholastic gaming to skeptical school boards, leading a team can feel isolating.

The 2026 MIHSEF Coaching Summit solves these exact challenges by delivering expert-led strategies you can implement immediately. You will walk away with concrete tools for strategy development, modern coaching methodologies, and a clear roadmap to secure administrative support. Plus, you will connect with a network of peer coaches across Michigan so you never have to navigate program growth alone.

Join us on Friday, August 14, 2026, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM at the Kent ISD Conference Center. Registration is just $25 and includes full-day programming, access to the Resource Expo, and 5.25 SCECH credits for Michigan educators.

Build a competitive, community-driven esports culture for your students this season.

Register today! bit.ly/2026esportscoach

Looking to build your skills and better support your students? Kent ISD is offering specialized Phonics Training designed specifically for instructional support staff, interventionists, staff assistants, and parent volunteers.

You can choose from two distinct courses tailored to your students' specific needs:

Foundations: Building Early Reading Skills. Focuses on mastering the essentials with phonics, fluency, and phonemic awareness.

Advanced: Unlocking Complex Word Meaning. Focuses on leveling up with word study and syntax.

Multiple days and times are offered for each session to fit your schedule. Click the link below to find your session time and register today!
https://pdhub.link/phonics

Empowering Future Problem-Solvers: West Michigan Design Prize 2026–27

Join us for a professional development session focused on the West Michigan Design Prize and the Design Thinking process. This experience will prepare Grades 4–12 educators to guide students through a real-world, project-based learning challenge that builds creativity, empathy, and problem-solving skills.

The West Michigan Design Prize is a regional collaboration that connects schools with ISD support, colleges, and industry partners. Educators will learn how to integrate design thinking into their instruction and support students as they move through a full design cycle during the 2026–27 school year.

Session highlights include:
• Overview of the West Michigan Design Prize structure and timeline
• Hands-on design thinking practice through a rapid design sprint
• Strategies for classroom integration and student mentorship
• Collaboration with regional educators, colleges, and industry partners
• Support for student creativity, agency, and real-world problem-solving

Additional benefits:
• Mentorship support from ISD consultants and regional partners
• Professional learning network across West Michigan
• Connections to core curriculum
• Opportunities for college and industry collaboration
• Earn 10 SCECH credits

Tuesday, June 9, 2026 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Register at: bit.ly/26CUR0609
Registration closes June 5, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST

Questions? Contact Lindsay Lane, Innovative Learning Consultant at [email protected]

Announcing the School Year 2026-27 Place-Based Educators Institute! This annual educator professional development program supports K-12 teachers throughout the Great Lakes Basin to learn about, and begin implementing, GLSI's model of Place-Based Stewardship Education with their students and communities.

This program blends peer community support and collaboration, practical implementation resources and strategies, and year-round mentorship from GLSI's institute facilitators - former classroom teachers and school principals with deep place-based teaching and project design expertise!

Learn more and apply below. Limited cost-free slots available - applications reviewed on a rolling basis until the program reaches capacity!

Grant funding support for this program is provided by the Great Lakes Fishery Trust and NOAA Great Lakes B-WET.

Kent ISD 2026-2027 Professional Learning Lineup is officially open for registration.

We are committed to providing high-quality professional development that respects your time and your teaching style. Our upcoming schedule offers a variety of formats to ensure you can find the right fit for your professional goals.

Learning formats for the 2026-2027 school year:

In-Person: Traditional workshops and collaborative networking.

Virtual Learning: Interactive, live sessions held online.

Podcasts: Professional growth content designed for on-the-go listening.

Asynchronous: Flexible, self-paced modules you can complete at any time.

Browse the plan and find a course that fits your schedule! https://kentisd-cdn.fxbrt.com/downloads/pd_hub/2024-2025_pl_plan_1.png

Check out my favorite math consultants in action…Kent ISDs Kelli VanSetters (president) and Sammi TenHave (Secretary) have active roles with MCTM to make sure all educators in Kent county’s voices are heard.

Teachers and Parents…looking for a fun night out? Bring your kids, bring your neighbors, help us spread the word and share with your students families.

Join the Kent ISD EdTech team for a free community movie night featuring The Mitchells vs. the Machines, a funny and heartfelt story about family and technology. Adults will receive conversation starters to spark meaningful discussions about AI with the kids in their lives. Bring your kids, share it with neighbors, and make it a night out (Kent County only)! PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED: https://iamed.tech/mvm26 Professional Development Hub