MANS 2024 Education Conference and Expo Call For Presenters - DEADLINE EXTENDED

The Michigan Association of Non-public Schools invites you to share your expertise and insights at the upcoming MANS Education Conference and Expo. Education professionals, your contributions can enrich the conference experience for attendees and inspire meaningful dialogue. We welcome you to submit a session proposal that highlights innovative approaches, best practices, and emerging trends in education. Join us in shaping an impactful program that empowers educators and fosters excellence in teaching and learning. Deadline to submit sessions has been extended to March 29, 2024!

Important Dates:

• March 29th - Call for Presenters Submission Deadline
• April - Presenters notified about proposal selections and Conference registration opens
• July - Presenters notified when their session is scheduled
• September - Early bird registration ends
• October 17 & 18 - MANS Education Conference & Expo

MANS is Hiring - Deadline to Apply is Approaching Soon!

The Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools is expanding the team! In our commitment to grow the professional development offerings and enhance our service to our members, MANS is seeking a qualified individual to join our team as a Program Associate. The Program Associate will assist in coordinating and facilitating professional learning opportunities provided by MANS and the Michigan Equitable Service Collaborative (MESC). We look forward to welcoming a dedicated, entrepreneurial individual who shares our vision for faith-based education in Michigan.

To apply for the position, please send resumes to Shelley Long no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 15, 2024. The anticipated start date for this role is July 2024.

Save-the-Date for MANS Annual School Law Seminar - June 14, 2024

Nonpublic school administrators are encouraged to attend the 2024 School Law Seminar – designed to allow you to engage with and learn from experts in educational law, sharing information on the latest legal developments and implications. The knowledge gained from this event is helpful for administrators to navigate legalities surrounding education. By attending, administrators will be empowered to proactively address legal challenges and implement effective policies within their schools.

This event will be held at the Michigan Catholic Conference/MANS at 510 S. Capitol Avenue in Lansing, MI. Look for registration to open in the next few weeks.

Michigan Equitable Service Collaborative (MESC)

Scholarships for the Program For Inclusive Education (PIE)

The Michigan Equitable Service Collaborative (MESC) is offering five partial scholarships to participate in the University of Notre Dame, Alliance for Catholic Education, Program for Inclusive Education (PIE). PIE is an 18-credit hour program for educators employed in Catholic schools/(arch)dioceses. The program offers a licensure track for eligible teachers who wish to pursue additional licensure in Mild Intervention upon program completion. For applicants without a teaching license or who are already licensed in special education, PIE offers the opportunity to further develop their expertise in meeting the needs of diverse learners through a unique Catholic school lens. Join PIE and more effectively welcome, serve, and celebrate all students!

MESC is offering five $5,000 scholarships. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact Angelia Salas.

MDE Guidance on Measles Signs, Symptoms and Prevention

Michigan recently experienced its first confirmed case of measles since 2019, and since that time two additional cases have been reported. In addition to Michigan, 41 measles cases have been reported in 2024 in 16 other states to date. It’s important for everyone to understand that measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact and through the air.

4th Grade Department of Natural Resources Programming

The DNR encourages you to bring fourth-graders to a Michigan State Park for a FREE field trip! Students will enjoy a day in the park while learning all about Michigan’s natural resources. In addition to free park entry, grants will be available to cover transportation costs.

The field trip aligns with state education standards including science, social studies, physical education and language arts components, with hands-on activities and a nature hike on park trails. Teachers will get pre- and post-visit materials to supplement learning at the park, and students will leave with a junior ranger badge and guidebook, including a free pass to bring their families back to a state park for another visit.

Title IV, Part A Stronger Connections Grant, Competitive Application Release Announcement

The Michigan Department of Education has been awarded $26,504,263 by the U.S. Department of Education under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) Stronger Connections Grant (SCG). The Title IV, Part A (page 168) SCG program uses Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act for state education agencies to competitively award subgrants to Title I, Part A eligible high-need local education agencies (LEAs), including public school academies (PSAs), to expand vital mental health services and provide additional support to design, enhance, and implement initiatives that will promote safer, more inclusive, and positive school environments. Note there is a requirement for school districts to include nonpublic schools in the planning, implementation and evaluation of any proposed project.

2024 Virtual Education Workforce Job Fairs

In support of Goal 7 of Michigan's Top 10 Strategic Education Plan to increase the numbers of certified teachers in areas of shortage, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is pleased to share the dates for the 2024 Virtual Education Workforce Job Fairs, presented in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO). The 2024 virtual job fairs are open to employers of educators and all individuals seeking to work in the education field.

The first job fair will be held on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in partnership with Central Michigan University (CMU). The second job fair will take place on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Both job fairs will use the Brazen virtual platform to increase access to individuals seeking education jobs in Michigan.

For information and to register, job seekers and employers should visit the Education Workforce Job Fairs website.

For information on how to become a certified educator in Michigan, please visit the Office of Educator Excellence website. 

Staff are also available to answer specific certification questions sent to MDE-EducatorHelp@Michigan.gov.

Michigan Virtual is updating its strategic plan and values your feedback and insights on how they can best help support Michigan students and educators in the coming years. Your response to this survey will be used to help them align with your needs and to identify new opportunities to partner with educators to improve teaching and learning across Michigan. The survey should take 10-15 minutes to complete. Responses are completely anonymous and will be added to a larger pool of data for use in their strategic planning process. Thank you for taking the time to share your insights with Michigan Virtual.

Prepare Your Students for Civic Participation

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation is inviting government classes from Grand Rapids area nonpublic schools to participate in a special forum for future voters at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum on March 21. Designed with high school students in mind, forum participants will learn the history of voter rights in the United States, hear from the Kent County Clerk's office, learn about initiatives and ballot questions, and have the opportunity to register to vote.

Transformative Education Scholars Program (TESP) - Loyola University Chicago

MANS is pleased to announce a partnership with Loyola University Chicago TESP. As a member of the Transformative Education Scholars Program (TESP), a minimum of 12-15 members will complete one of the participating academic degree programs with the benefit of a 30% tuition discount. Scholars will receive a 30% tuition discount each semester of their academic degree program. Discount applies to required courses within the degree program only and does not cover fees or other expenses 

Eligibility for Transformative Education Scholars Program: Must apply to and be accepted to one of the participating academic programs and must be admitted as part of a cohort of at least 12-15 members of the organization.

Participating Degree/ Endorsement Programs include: 

• Higher Education MEd
• Language Culture and Curriculum MEd
• School Counseling MEd
• Educational Leadership MEd
• Superintendent Endorsement Certificate
• Elementary Education MEd
• Secondary Education MEd

Catapult Learning PDNow

Professional development (PD) should solve today’s education challenges and meet educators where they are – that’s where we step in. PDNow is Catapult Learning’s professional learning platform that pairs more than 45 years of school partnership excellence with technology, giving your K-12 educators access to high-quality PD that builds capacity – anywhere, anytime.

GPS Solutions provides a mental health professional who conducts one-on-one, group, and whole group support that focuses on both proactive and reactive ways to promote self-awareness, managing emotions, social awareness, developing empathy, maintaining and repairing healthy relationships, and responsible decision-making. This support is designed for students, staff, and leaders so that the strategies identified can be supported with all stakeholders within the building.