Michigan Education Corps

Congratulations to Theadora, MEC's June Member of the Month!

Thank you for the impact you have had on the students, service site, and community you serve.💡

As the program year wraps up, we’re celebrating Kirsten, our May Member of the Month!

Your hard work and consistency have made a lasting impact this year. Thank you from all of us here at MEC!💡

Say hello to this month's MEC Staff Spotlight: Kaye Sutherland, AmeriCorps Program Director!

Kaye supports MEC members through recruitment, engagement, and program compliance, drawing on more than 12 years of AmeriCorps experience. She began her service journey in 2013 at Wayne State University and has stayed dedicated to community impact ever since.

Outside of MEC, Kaye enjoys treasure hunting at thrift stores, sunshine, and any activity that involves movement.

For our May MEC Partnership Spotlight, we’re taking a look back at what Michigan Education Corps has built with our partners across the state since 2012.

Over the past decade, Michigan Education Corps has partnered with 290 sites and supported more than 26,000 Michigan students through evidence-based reading and math interventions, powered by over 1,000 AmeriCorps members. From early learners to middle schoolers, this service has reached students at some of the most important moments in their academic journeys.

What started with Reading Corps in 2012 has grown into a network of programs designed to meet students where they are. Early Learning Corps launched in 2015, followed by 4-8 Math Corps in 2017, MEC Scholars in 2023, and K-3 Math Corps in 2024.

So what does the impact actually look like?
- 17,900 students served through Reading Corps, with 74.4% exceeding growth targets.
- 131 students served through MEC Scholars, with 74% exceeding target growth.
- 3,334 students served through 4–8 Math Corps, with 81.7% improving their scores on Mathway.
- 583 students served through K–3 Math Corps, with 89.6% improving their scores on Mathway.
- 1,013 young learners supported through Early Learning Corps, building strong foundations for kindergarten.

But the numbers don’t tell the whole story…

At Besser Elementary, Samantha J. shared that one student “jumps up every time I enter his classroom” because he is so excited to read. At Battle Creek Montessori Academy, Destiny H. described helping a student make a major leap in math, calling it “a big part in giving these children the skills they need for success,” echoed by Kentwood Internal Coach Pamela G., who shared that the one-to-one support helps students build “a trusting relationship with someone they know will be there for them every day,” leading to both academic and confidence growth.

Those moments add up! Over time they become something bigger, Michigan students finding their voices and realizing what they’re capable of.

Michigan Education Corps is grateful for every district, member, and coach who has been part of this journey. Together, this service continues to open doors for Michigan students, empowering them to reach their highest level of academic achievement in reading and math.💡

Congratulations to Anne, our April Member of the Month!💡

Your continued service and effort make a real difference as the program year winds down. MEC is grateful for you!

This month we’re spotlighting Grace Kelley, MEC Scholars Program Manager.

Grace leads the MEC Scholars Program, which prepares the next generation of Michigan educators. he previously served as MEC’s first Program Coordinator and brings a strong background in psychology, bilingual education, and teaching across multiple subjects and grade levels.

In her free time, Grace enjoys snowmobiling, writing music, and reading.

Michigan students deserve access to the resources they need to thrive, and how we fund our schools plays a major role in making that possible.

The Education Trust-Midwest's revamped Opportunity for All website offers clear, accessible information on why funding should better reflect student need and what policy changes can help move Michigan forward. It is a useful resource for policymakers, educators, advocates, and community members who want to better understand the connection between funding and opportunity.

Explore the site, learn how funding impacts student opportunity, and consider signing the Fair Funding Pledge to support student-centered policies: opportunityforallmi.org

For our April MEC District Partnership Spotlight, we are highlighting Choice Schools Associates! Choice Schools is a dedicated Michigan Education Corps partner that currently hosts Reading Corps, 4–8 Math Corps, and K–3 Math Corps.

Reading Corps Impact in Choice Schools (Since 2019)
- 667 Michigan students
- 73.6% of students exceeded target growth

4-8 Math Corps Impact in Choice Schools (Since 2021)
- 589 Michigan students
- 78.3% of students improved their scores on Mathway

K-3 Math Corps Impact in Choice Schools (Since 2025)
- 50 Michigan students
- 90.5% of students improved their scores on Mathway

These results reflect the investment Choice Schools has made in creating consistent, encouraging learning environments where students can build both skills and confidence.

Across Choice Schools, MEC members and staff described a culture built on support, connection, and growth.

At Macomb Montessori Academy, MEC member Andria Powell Ross shared that the Reading and Math Corps team “work well together and show up for after-school events.” She described students who are excited to come to tutoring sessions and have shown “great improvement in assessment scores from Fall to Spring.” She also highlighted the team’s involvement in parent teacher conferences and Family Game Night, where Math Corps members helped run activities for students and families.

Serving at both Creative Montessori Academy and Four Corners Montessori Academy, MEC member Christine Pauley described two school communities where students looked forward to tutoring and staff welcomed MEC members into the building. She shared that students were excited to tell her when their scores improved, and that as students recognized their own growth, “their self confidence soars as this subject they found difficult becomes easier.” Christine also reflected on one fourth grade student who began the year discouraged and reluctant to attend math tutoring. After months of support, the student began asking to attend every day and proudly told another classmate that “Ms. Christine was fun.” Christine said that moment was “high praise indeed.”

Inclusion was the first thing MEC member Grayson VanConant noticed at New Branches Charter Academy, sharing, “I’ve never felt more included in a place where service has been done.” Grayson explained that because MEC members are able to provide groups consistently, students benefit from dependable support and routines. Grayson added that some of the most meaningful moments have come from watching reserved students gradually open up and build trust.

Internal Coach Kimberly Geis, who supports three different schools, emphasized the relationships formed between students and interventionists. She shared that interventionists help students grow not only in reading and math, but also in confidence and perseverance. “Students begin to change how they think about themselves as learners,” she explained. One especially memorable example came when a member helped her students learn how to be gentlemen and open doors for others, which Kimberly called “priceless.”

MEC member Megan Forward described her site as a school where students are encouraged to express themselves and where staff respond to challenges with patience and care. She shared that the school’s environment allows students to feel comfortable being themselves and that the Math Corps curriculum helps students become “self thinkers and regulators more than just mathematicians.” One of Megan’s favorite memories involved a student who struggled with making mistakes. After months of encouragement, the student finally responded to a mistake with excitement instead of frustration. “I finally get it,” the student said, a moment Megan described as unforgettable.

The relationships formed through tutoring have been the highlight of the year for MEC member Gina Gott. She shared that one student doubled her reading rate since January and is incredibly proud of herself. Gina also described students who greet her with hugs and look for her if she misses a day. She added that her Internal Coach has been “amazing” in helping her through her first year.

MEC member Dr. Fairy Green shared that fun dress up days help bring students and staff together throughout the year and make school more enjoyable. She has seen strong growth in literacy among the students she tutors and recalled one first grade student who began the year unable to read and not enjoying books. After several months of tutoring, the student now enjoys reading stories and looks forward to tutoring sessions.

Across Choice Schools, three ideas stand out: support, confidence, and connection. Together, Choice Schools and Michigan Education Corps are helping students grow academically while building the relationships and self-belief that will stay with them long after tutoring ends.

Michigan Education Corps is grateful for this partnership and for the district’s dedication to empowering Michigan kids to reach their highest level of academic achievement in reading and math.💡

We’re recognizing David as our March Internal Coach of the Month!💡

Your support helps members stay steady and motivated through the spring stretch. MEC is grateful for you!