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:
- Please join MEA members from across the state as we study Cultivating Genius and discuss strategies for developing literacy instructional practices that will help students achieve personal, intellectual, and academic success.
- Please join us for the MEA Book Study: The Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States. This book delves into the origins of the original people in this country and the history that has taken place through their eyes.
- “Practice Makes Perfect Progress” Webinar Series – Register now for the latest series of MEA’s SCECH-eligible webinars focused on pedagogy and practice, featuring expert member-led sessions, along with offerings made possible by partnerships with state universities, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), and other education organizations. Topics range from core teaching practices to grammar teaching tips and resources; ideas for managing stress; ways to reduce student math anxiety; using HyperDocs; creating editable worksheets in Google Drive Assignments; grading with rubrics in Schoology; partnering with parents; helping students with college applications; and more.
- 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.
Professional Development News
October Professional Development and Networking Events for New Educators
MiNE, MEA’s networking and support group for new educators, is rolling out several events to engage early career members in October. Register and secure your spot today! A virtual book study offers 15 SCECHs and engages the book “Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy.” The online book study will run Mondays, 7-8:30 p.m. from Oct.…
Register Now for Free SCECH-Eligible Webinars
The latest series of MEA’s SCECH-eligible webinars focuses on pedagogy and practice, featuring expert member-led sessions, along with offerings made possible by partnerships with state universities, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), and other education organizations. The "Practice Makes Perfect Progress" Webinar Series starts Sept. 9 with one-time sessions ranging from 90 minutes to two hours long continuing through mid-November.…
Complete a Free, SCECH-eligible Module on Social-Emotional Learning
As a new school year begins, and the pandemic continues, students at every grade level will need an extra focus on social-emotional learning and health. The Michigan Department of Education is offering a free SEL training and encouraging educators to complete it by Labor Day. The two-hour, SCECH-eligible online module hosted by Michigan Virtual is part of a campaign launched…
Summer Conference Builds Connections, Knowledge, Solidarity
Last summer, amid a global pandemic, racial unrest and a divisive national election, MEA member Travis Neller wanted to give young people a chance to join the dialogue surrounding tough issues facing the country – so he took action. A prevention specialist at the regional educational services agency in Eaton County – Eaton RESA – Neller founded a platform to…
Don’t Miss It – Register for Engaging New Peer-Led Summer Webinar Series
MEA member Brian Dalton learned how to survive a difficult endurance event while training to compete in four Ironman races in his 40s, and he discovered it wasn’t much different from strategies he used as an educator to successfully make it through a school year. Just as in a brutal race involving a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile…
Welcome Back Proud Michigan Educator – MEA Teacher Re-Entry Program
MEA is partnering with the new Michigan Department of Education (MDE) program, Welcome Back Proud Michigan Educators, encouraging educators with expired credentials to return to the teaching workforce by reducing or eliminating professional learning recertification requirements. For more information, visit MDE’s site about the program, which allows local school districts to apply for waivers to help previously credentialed educators employed by…
Free Virtual Event on Human Trafficking is SCECH-Eligible
Human trafficking has victimized more than 8,000 people in Michigan over the last decade alone. In our effort to continue to provide valuable professional development for MEA members, we will be screening “Ring of Silence,” a dramatic film about an epidemic that many may not know impacts students throughout all of our school districts. This virtual event will include a…
Earn SCECHs for Completing Survey on Third Grade Reading Law
The Education Policy Innovation Collaborative (EPIC) research team at Michigan State University has launched their year two Read by Grade Three survey, which is now open to K-5 teachers and literacy coaches or interventionists/specialists. Any eligible participant who completes the approximately 25-minute survey will be awarded 5 State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) and will be automatically entered for a chance…
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…