Who We Are
Talent Together is an innovative partnership led by 56 Michigan Intermediate School Districts, supported by the Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative in collaboration with 18 Colleges and Universities.
Intermediate School Districts (ISDs) and Regional Education Service Agencies (RESAs) serve children all across Michigan. By coordinating efforts and resources, ISDs provide specialized services to students that would not be affordable/feasible otherwise. These services can include special education, vocational training, interdisciplinary subjects, language programs, early childhood education, parent services, community involvement, transportation, extracurricular activities, lifelong learning and adult education, and other necessary and exciting benefits are shared across districts for the success of every learner.
What We Do
Talent Together is committed to addressing Michigan’s educator shortage by removing barriers to teacher certification. We provide full financial support, covering tuition and fees, while enabling qualified teacher candidates to earn an income through our partnership with the Department of Labor and our Registered Apprenticeship Program. Our team matches candidates with certification programs that fit their pathway, ensuring access to quality coursework through accredited online institutions. By investing in the next generation of educators, Talent Together is strengthening Michigan’s schools and shaping the future of education
Talent Together/Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative (MEWI) Partnership
The Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative (MEWI) has been a cornerstone partner of Talent Together since our inception. During our critical first two years, MEWI provided strategic direction, technical expertise, and design framework necessary to launch our initiative and build the core pillars of our program.
The impact of this foundational collaboration is clear: by working together to address systemic challenges, 96% of our candidates report that our model effectively removes the top barriers to teacher certification.
While Talent Together and MEWI remain separate and independent entities, our history is deeply intertwined. Today, the organizations continue to serve as dedicated thought partners, working in tandem to elevate best practices and bridge the gap between PK–12 and higher education. Together, we remain committed to building a diverse and sustainable educator workforce, ensuring that every classroom in Michigan is led by a high-quality professional.
