Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today followed through on her pledge to elevate the voices of educators in her administration with the announcement of a new 15-member Educator Advisory Council, which will begin taking applications immediately.

The Educator Advisory Council will be responsible for:

• Identifying and analyzing issues impacting the effectiveness of Michigan’s public education system;
• Identifying best practices in public education;
• Recommending changes and improvements to our public education system; and
• Reviewing and making recommendations regarding legislation relevant to our public education system.

To apply to be a part of the council, go to www.michigan.gov/appointments and select “Educator Advisory Council” from the dropdown menu.

The makeup of the council will include teachers; instructional support staff; non-instructional support staff; community college and higher education faculty; a media specialist; counselor, social worker or psychologist; and two administrators.

“Michigan’s educators are on the front lines in classrooms every day working to make sure our kids can get a great public education,” said Whitmer. “By creating the Educator Advisory Council, we can finally give them a seat at the table so they can help develop public school policies that will help our students get the skills they need to compete for good-paying jobs and thrive right here in Michigan.”

MEA President Paula Herbart praised the new council in a press release issued today. “We supported Gov. Whitmer’s candidacy because she has championed public schools in her career as a legislator and because she promised to listen to the front-line experts in classrooms and buildings across the state.  The creation of the Educator Advisory Council represents another ‘promise kept’ by our new governor.”