Micareer Resource Hub

08/25/2026

🔍🧩 Rural District Administrators: Are you still working to piece together the puzzle of a fully certified teaching staff?

As staffing challenges continue, don't forget that MiCAREER may be able to help. Funding is available to support individuals who are teaching outside their current certification areas, as well as those who need to earn new certification to fill critical staffing needs.

Investing in current staff can be an effective way to strengthen your workforce, support educator growth, and ensure students have access to highly qualified teachers. Sometimes the missing piece isn't a new hire. It's helping a great educator gain the certification they need to serve students in a new way.

Let MiCAREER help you complete the puzzle. 🏫🍎

08/24/2026

📚✨ Welcome Back, Teachers and Administrators! ✨📚

As a new school year begins, we want to take a moment to thank the educators and leaders who make a difference every single day. Your dedication, compassion, and hard work shape the lives of students and strengthen our communities.

Whether you're welcoming students for the first time or beginning another year of service, please know that your impact is seen, valued, and deeply appreciated.

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." – Nelson Mandela

Wishing you a wonderful year filled with growth, inspiration, and success. Thank you for all that you do! 🍎✏️

08/20/2026

Exciting things happening this fall!
MiCAREER is adding 3 new university partners to our consortium, allowing us to expand certification offerings and better meet the needs of rural districts.

University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
The program is fully online and adds
-an ITC pathway that is supported through the 3 years of evaluation
-several World Languages including Spanish.
- a Visual Arts pathway.

Ferris State University
-Online SPE bachelors program that has transfer agreements.
-CTE programming that utilizes both testing options and work experience

Lake Superior State University
-All courses in the elementary education programs are taught in a Hyflex format so they are accessible online or on campus.
-Has strong partnerships with community colleges to create pathways for undergraduate programs-especially in the upper peninsula.

08/10/2026

Last week, we concluded our Regional Professional Learning Series and final Listen & Learn sessions in northern Michigan, and I'm leaving with a full heart and renewed purpose.

A huge thank you to our partners at MSU K-12 Outreach, MDE, and the rural educators and administrators who shared their time, insights, and passion with us.

Wednesday's session at Kirtland Community College reminded me that impact isn't measured by attendance numbers alone. Although the group was small, the energy, engagement, and commitment to learning filled the room. The collaboration among northern Michigan educators was inspiring, and the conversations were both meaningful and actionable.

Thursday's Listen & Learn with rural district administrators provided another powerful reminder of why this work matters. Every conversation reinforces the incredible strengths within rural communities while also shining a light on the barriers they continue to navigate. I often leave these discussions feeling equal parts inspired, challenged, and motivated to do more.

Above all, I am continually impressed by the pride these leaders have in their communities and their unwavering focus on finding solutions for students, staff, and families. Rural Michigan is stronger because of their leadership.

08/03/2026

Hi, Fabulous Educators and Supporters!
Kathryn and MSU K-12 Outreach are continuing the Professional Learning Roadshow in the Upper Peninsula today.

I am excited to be joining them in Ga***rd on Wednesday 8/5, as we wrap up the summer learning sessions.

We still have spots available for Wed. Register here to join us at Kirtland Community College https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9zaWNzFgpfZvgBU

07/30/2026

Long Post Warning! (We worked with MDE to clarify a placement flexibility misconception commonly held by the administrators we have talked to)

During our first two Listen & Learn sessions this summer, several rural administrators shared concerns about the limited placement opportunities available to teachers holding the new elementary grade band endorsements. Many were pleasantly surprised, and relieved, to learn about the staffing flexibilities built into the programs and structures by our partners at the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).
We wanted to share this information more broadly to help clarify any confusion that may still exist.
The new elementary grade band endorsements and overall certificate structure was not designed to make staffing more difficult for small or rural districts. Rather, as stated on MDE's website, the goal is to ensure that “new teachers will be equipped to meet the unique learning needs of the whole child at each grade level.” Recognizing the ongoing teacher shortage and the unique challenges districts face, MDE has also incorporated important placement flexibilities into the certification framework.
For more information, visit MDE's webpage on appropriate placements: https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/ed-serv/ed-cert/permits-placement
When reviewing the information:
• Use the accordion menu to select "Appropriate Placement of Teachers."
• Then select "Revised Certificate Structure Placement."
There, you will find the following guidance:
"Currently, due to the staffing shortage, teachers with these new endorsements may also teach outside the grade range and content area listed on their certificate, without a permit, as depicted in the chart below."
It is important to note that this language does not indicate that MDE intends to remove these flexibilities. In fact, the New Core Content Grade Level Staffing Flexibilities Memorandum (October 10, 2024) specifically provides additional placement flexibility to help districts meet staffing needs.
Districts may now place teachers whose certificates contain content endorsements with K-8, 6-8, 5-9, K-9, 5-12, or 6-12 grade ranges one grade level outside the grade range explicitly listed on their teaching certificate without the district needing to request a permit.
Examples include:
• A teacher with a Language Arts K-8 (BX) endorsement may teach 9th grade Language Arts without a permit.
• A teacher with a Mathematics 6-12 (EX) endorsement may teach 5th grade Mathematics without a permit.
• A teacher with a Health 6-8 (MA) endorsement may teach 9th grade Health without a permit.
Utilizing permit data, MDE continues to look for areas in need of additional flexibility. In 2023, MDE introduced the Elementary (ZG) & World Language (FA-FS) Staffing Flexibilities. All of these flexibilities were developed upon analysis of Full-Year Shortage Permit data. MDE encourages small and rural schools to utilize permits, authorizations, and special education approvals to support staffing challenges when additional flexibility is needed.

Still have questions or want to collaboratively problem-solve? Join MDE Wednesday, August 12th from 10am-11am for their new Virtual Office Hours and get answers to questions related to appropriate placement, permits, special education approvals and more. Email [email protected] for more information and a link to join the conversation!
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We hope this clarification helps ease concerns and supports your planning efforts for the upcoming school year.

Permits and Placement

07/24/2026

Hey, FB World!
We know there are fabulous educators (and teacher supporters) who follow our page! In case you have not seen the announcement, Michigan Teacher of the Year Nominations are now open.

According to MDE's website:
"People wishing to nominate a teacher for this program are asked to use the online form by Sept. 23 at 11:59 p.m. To be eligible, a nominee must have a valid Michigan teaching certificate, at least 5 years of certificated teaching experience in Michigan, and be in good standing with their district. Nominations are open to the public, and anyone can submit a nomination. Educators are not permitted to nominate themselves."

What a great opportunity to honor a rural teacher! Fill out a nomination form here:

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07/23/2026

💙 We’re grateful for the educators, districts, and communities that make rural Michigan special.
Your dedication is shaping the future—one student at a time.

07/21/2026

Kathryn is at Montcalm Area ISD today. Then we’ll take our Professional Learning sessions to northern Michigan.
Join us in Escanaba on August 3rd or Ga***rd on August 5th.
Click here to register:
https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7P8zAnKepCJoKdU

07/20/2026

✨ Day 2 at Tuscola ISD was all about growth, connection, and impact.
We spent the day with an incredible group of current, former, and future MiCAREER participants who came together with a shared purpose: becoming even better educators and leaders for the students they serve.
Representing a wide range of certifications and experiences, participants engaged in meaningful partner and small-group discussions centered on three critical topics:
🔹 Self-Regulation: Understanding that we must regulate ourselves before we can help students regulate theirs.
🔹 Building Trusting Relationships & Safe Classrooms: Creating environments where every student feels seen, supported, and ready to learn.
🔹 Student Engagement & Motivation: Exploring strategies to inspire learning and fuel student success.

It was inspiring to witness the thoughtful conversations, collaboration, and commitment to continuous improvement throughout the day. The future of education is bright when educators are willing to learn, grow, and lead together.

If you'd like to join us for a future event, we will be at the Montcalm Area ISD on Tuesday, July 21st, at