Professional Development
Education is a lifelong endeavor and educators are committed to continually improving their practice, regardless of their role. Learn more how MEA helps with continuous professional development for members of all types, including for teachers and education support professionals.
The Latest:
- Winter/Spring Webinar Series – This series is intended to address the needs and questions educators may have as we look towards a post-COVID teaching and learning environment where the impacts to our students, our school districts, and ourselves may linger. How do we take care of students and ourselves while continuing to grow professionally? Sessions are designed to address the multiple facets of that question. SCECHs are available for MEA members, so sign up today!
- NEA Racial Justice Webinars – Advancing racial and social justice is critical towards meeting NEA/MEA’s organizational policies and goals. A central component of this work is ensuring that the education profession properly represents the diversity of our nation by recruiting, retaining and supporting educators of color. The NEA Center for Organizing, in collaboration with the NEA Center for Social Justice, will host a series of webinars for Early Career Educators centered around racial and social justice, specifically focusing on supporting educators of color. We hope to assist educators in understanding the effects of injustice on their ability to effectively teach in the classroom and how it manifests in various ways in a school environment. While these sessions are geared toward early career educators, members at every stage of their career are welcome. SCECH eligible for MEA members in good standing.
- SCECH Eligible Micro-credentials – A micro-credential is a short, competency-based recognition that allows an educator to demonstrate mastery in a particular area/skill. Upon successful submission of evidence, an educator is awarded an encoded, digital badge that can be shared with an employer, on social media, on a resume, etc. Micro-credentials are not traditional PD courses; rather, they are self-directed project based professional development.
- National Board Certification – MEA members pursuing National Board Certification can access SCECH credit and scholarship opportunities through MEA.
- Have you joined the MEA Center for Leadership & Learning’s Facebook private group exclusively for members? Request access now.
Professional Development News
Conference Lifts ESP Voices, Roles, Strength
If knowledge is power, then MEA member Timmery Foster figures she is helping to make a stronger union by attending this year’s ESP Statewide Conference. Not only did the Howell paraeducator spend time attending sessions at the conference for Education Support Professionals – held virtually this year because of the pandemic – but she also is gathering credits toward professional…
NEW! Join an Online Affinity Group
A new program from MEA’s Center for Leadership & Learning will bring together members with a shared interest or identity for five weeks of virtual discussion starting in April. The first groups will focus on social workers, world languages educators, and early elementary members. More groups will be added as the program grows. Early elementary members will meet on Tuesdays…
Expanded Conference Draws Aspiring and Early Career Educators
MEA member Owen Bondono may have been the keynote speaker at MEA’s Aspiring and Early Career Educator conference in March, but Michigan’s reigning top teacher began his speech by acknowledging he just as easily could have been an attendee. “I have now had the honor and privilege and terrifying responsibility of being Michigan Teacher of the Year for 246 days,…
Sign up today for latest round of MEA social justice book studies
A new round of SCECH-eligible virtual book studies is now open for member signups! Brought to you by MEA’s Center for Leadership & Learning, these five-week online group discussions center on two important books to help educators improve their skills as advocates for social and racial justice for our students and our society: “White Fragility” by Robin DiAngelo – Two…
Network, Learn, Grow at Statewide ESP Conference
This year, Education Support Professionals have faced unforeseen challenges in every job category as the COVID-19 pandemic has upended normal life – and their contributions are something to be proud of, says ESP Caucus President Roy Freeman. Now in the wake of that upheaval and change, the MEA ESP Statewide Conference on March 25-27 offers a chance to come together, network,…
Conference Appeals to Aspiring and Early Career Educators
MEA member educators in the first 10 years of their careers are invited to join university student members for a newly expanded MEA conference in March that will deliver professional development, networking opportunities, and training sessions. Participants at the free virtual event on Saturday, March 20, will discover classroom tips to put to use the following Monday. But they also…
My View: Putting a Spotlight on Strategies
Robyne Muray By Robyne Muray While some educators have transitioned to virtual teaching this year without missing a beat, remote learning has challenged many professionals to find ways to build student participation while continuing to provide necessary guided instruction, classroom management, differentiated support, and social-emotional learning. In my travels throughout the Lansing School District, I have witnessed innovations firsthand. SYNCHRONOUS…
Virtual Winter Conference a Success
It’s not a surprise that registrations for this year’s virtual MEA Winter Conference were down by about one-third from normal times when our union’s biggest event of the year is held over three February days in Detroit. That makes it even more impressive that requests for State Continuing Education Clock Hours – SCECHs needed to satisfy professional development requirements –…
MEA Book Studies Tackle Timely Yet Difficult Topics: Racism, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor When Dawn Weaver facilitates trainings or discussions around race, she talks with educators about the importance of creating “windows and mirrors” in their classroom practice. Dawn Weaver “I’ve always tried to have representation—not just for African-American students but any marginalized individuals—and make sure that everybody in my class is seeing themselves and seeing others,” the MEA…
MEA Member-to-Member Ed-Tech Webinars Meet Urgent Nationwide Need
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Michigan last March, MEA member Chris Thomas found himself in a unique position to help other educators in the district where he worked – Ann Arbor – get up to speed in figuring out how to deliver remote learning. Now he’s doing the same for thousands of others in…
Resources
Training Corner
Aside from MEA-offered events, we’re pleased to help promote other professional learning opportunities provided to MEA. (NOTE: Listing an event on this page does not denote any endorsement of the program by MEA.)
MEA Center for Leadership & Learning Book Study Signup
MEA Virtual Learning Webinar Series (Members Only)
NEA – Professional Excellence Resources