Opinion: Talent Together is a statewide solution to Michigan’s classroom crisis.
Opinion: Talent Together is a statewide solution to Michigan’s classroom crisis By Daveda Colbert, Eric Hoppstock, and Jason Mellema A recent Detroit News investigation shed light on Michigan’s growing class sizes, but behind that issue lies an even greater concern: the state’s ongoing teacher shortage. According to MSU’s EPIC research, in 2022-23, district leaders reported […]
Wildlife biologist-turned-middle school teacher highlighted for National Apprenticeship Day
Wildlife biologist-turned-middle school teacher highlighted for National Apprenticeship Day By Griffin Weinberg, TV6 ISHPEMING TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WLUC) – From teaching pythons a lesson to teaching lessons to middle schoolers. Mary Peterson is a teaching apprentice at Aspen Ridge Middle School. She teaches 7th-grade science. Before that, Peterson was a stay-at-home mom and a wildlife biologist. […]
Why Talent Together Invests in a Registered Apprenticeship Program
Why Talent Together Invests in a Registered Apprenticeship Program Understanding the Apprenticeship Model An apprenticeship is a structured, hands-on training program where individuals learn a profession by working alongside experienced mentors. They gain real-world experience while completing related academic instruction. The apprenticeship model has been around for centuries, and teachers have participated in internships for […]
The Surprising Way Michigan is Recruiting More Teachers Than Ever
The Suprising Way Michigan Is Recruiting More Teachers Than Ever By Amanda Rahn One thing that Michigan school leaders and lawmakers agree on is the need for more teachers. As teacher wages have failed to rise to meet the cost of living, getting new teachers to take on the demanding job–and keep them in the […]
Smothers: The power of teacher apprenticeships
Smothers: The power of teacher apprenticeships By Calvin Smothers First-year teachers understandably feel nervous and overwhelmed walking into their classroom for the first time, realizing the weight of responsibility that comes along with their role. After all, student academic and socio-emotional growth and success lie in the hands of the educator leading the room. That’s […]
Talent Together: Addressing teacher shortage across Michigan
Talent Together: Addressing teacher shortages across Michigan By Paula McCambridge Talent Together aims to reduce Michigan’s teacher shortage by lending a hand to qualified candidates whose financial limitations might otherwise keep them from school districts in severe need. The non-profit is a consortium of Michigan’s 56 Intermediate School Districts with about 1,100 Michiganders now enrolled […]
Talent Together creates alternative path to recruit and train Michigan teachers
Talent Together creates alternative path to recruit and train Michigan teachers By Micah Walker, BridgeDetroit In her 31-year career as an educator, Detroit Public Schools Community District teacher Susan Waldecker held teaching gigs throughout Michigan and beyond. Now, she’s taking on a new role as a student. The 57-year-old teacher at the Neinas Dual Language […]
Finding purpose through Talent Together and Concordia University Ann Arbor
Finding purpose through Talent Together and Concordia University Ann Arbor For Ashley Rickert, finding her true calling was a journey of faith, perseverance, and purpose. By Adam Paape, Assistant Dean, School of Education For nearly ten years, Ashley Rickert devoted her life to raising her three children as a stay-at-home mom. During that time, she […]
Strengthening the Michigan Special Education Workforce
Strengthening the Michigan Special Education Workforce Meeting the Growing Demand for Special Education Teachers The need for qualified special education teachers is rising, and Talent Together Teacher Candidates are stepping up with the confidence, skills, and experience to succeed. Currently, 37.62% of our Teacher Candidates are enrolled in a special education pathway, preparing to fill […]
Serving Rural Schools
Serving Rural Schools Educator Development Specialist Support for Teacher Candidates in Rural Schools At Talent Together, we’re committed to serving educators all across Michigan. We provide support for teacher candidates through our Educator Development Specialist services. Dr. Sara Croney, superintendent for Gwinn Area Community Schools, highlighted the transformative power of educators, stating: “Our greatest strength […]