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TC Policies TC Resources > Talent Together Basics Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Heading 2 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Heading 3 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Heading 4 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Heading 5 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Heading 6 Heading 7 Heading 8 Heading 9 Heading 10 Table of Contents

Dr. Sarena M. Shivers Appointed as Executive Director of Talent Together, the Nation’s Largest “Grow your Own” Program

Dr. Sarena M. Shivers Appointed as Executive Director of Talent Together the Nation’s Largest “Grow Your Own” Program Compassionate leader brings decades of experience to further strengthen Michigan’s teacher talent pipeline Michigan, Nov. 21, 2024 – Talent Together, the nation’s largest “grow your own” program, focusedon strengthening Michigan’s teacher talent pipeline, welcomes its first executive director, Dr. Sarena M. Shivers. In this role, Dr. Shivers brings a new era of leadership to advance TalentTogether’s mission of removing barriers and providing support for aspiring teachers. Since itsinception in December 2022, Talent Together has brought over one thousand candidates intoMichigan’s teacher pipeline.   With over three decades of experience in education – including over 20 years as an administrator –Dr. Shivers has a profound background of serving children, families and educators. Her career hasspanned roles as a teacher, principal, program director, assistant superintendent andsuperintendent. In 2018, Dr. Shivers was recognized as a nominee for Michigan’s Superintendent ofthe Year. Most recently, she served as the Deputy Executive Director of Professional learning for theMichigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators (MASA), where she supported andfostered professional growth for education leaders statewide.   “The teacher crisis is the biggest issue facing education and Talent Together has been at theforefront of providing solutions for districts and communities across the state,” stated Dr. Shivers.“This initiative is leading the way in teacher preparation programs and plays a vital role inaddressing the teacher shortage in Michigan. I look forward to working with the talented team anddedicated board to continue turning future educators’ dreams into reality so that students haveaccess to high-quality teachers in every classroom and school.”   In addition to her storied career as a school leader, Dr. Shivers has also earned national recognition,including serving a four-year term on the Board of Directors for the Association for Supervision andCurriculum Development (ASDC). Known for her compassionate, adaptive, and resilient approach,she is uniquely positioned to lead Talent Together into its next chapter of impact and growth.“The Board is thrilled to welcome Dr. Shivers to the team,” said Dr. Naomi Norman, Talent TogetherBoard President and Washtenaw ISD Superintendent. “As a school, district, and organizationalleader with decades of experience, we are confident she will have a tremendous impact on TalentTogether and the schools, teacher candidates, and students we serve.”   As the program welcomes Dr. Shivers, Talent Together reaffirms its mission to provide equitableaccess and opportunity to the teaching profession so that, ultimately, children across the statelearn from a well-prepared and more diverse teaching workforce.   “Dr. Shivers brings expertise and lifelong commitment to innovation to Talent Together,” said BeccaTisdale, current interim executive director of Talent Together and Partner & VP of Programs of theMichigan Educator Workforce Initiative (MEWI), Talent Together’s founding non-profit partner. “I’mexcited to turn the helm over to Dr. Shivers during this important time and look forward to seeingwhat new heights she will lead us to in bringing inspirational leaders into classrooms throughoutMichigan.”   For more information about the Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative and the programs it’ssupporting, visit https://www.miedworkforce.org/. Download the Press Release

Meet a TC: Elizabeth Boznango

Elizabeth Boznango is a dedicated professional with over 22 years of experience in education. After years as a paraprofessional, she is now pursuing her dream of becoming a teacher through the Talent Together program. Currently in her final year of coursework at Western Michigan University (WMU), Elizabeth is already working in a new role as an apprentice teacher and is excited to lead her own special education classroom this fall.

Spotlight on Sarah Al-Kabour: One Apprentice Teacher’s Message to the US Secretary of Education

When US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona visited Glencairn Elementary School in East Lansing to learn about Talent Together, Sarah Al-Kabour—a Kindergarten Apprentice Teacher at Glencairn—knew she wanted to demonstrate the real challenges that aspiring teachers face.

Meet Crystal Boddy: Special Education Apprentice

Meet Crystal Boddy – Special Education Apprentice Apprentice’s Mentor and School Leaders Support Her Growth September 9, 2024 Crystal Boddy, a Special Education Apprentice Teacher, in her classroom. Meet Crystal Boddy, a former paraprofessional at Allegan Area ESA. Crystal is now embarking on her Apprenticeship Year at Talent Together, working side-by-side with her mentor teacher in a special education classroom. In her first month, she is already getting meaningful at-bats with new skills, like writing an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Crystal’s story highlights how mentors, districts and Talent Together work together to prepare Teacher Candidates to confidently lead their own classrooms. Apprentice-Mentor Relationship The Apprentice-Mentor relationship is at the heart of Talent Together’s apprenticeship model.  Although Crystal is just beginning her apprentice experience, she is already drawing inspiration from her mentor. “My mentor teacher is the one that I would base [my future classroom] on. Her classroom is open, welcoming, and honest, and those are things that I love.” From the beginning, Crystal’s mentor established a structured coaching relationship using Talent Together’s Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) Standards. “My mentor gave me a document listing all of the things that I need to make sure I am covering, and, for me, that helped. I can look at and decide to see how we are going to meet the requirements together instead of just winging it and having someone just check up on me once in a while.” This direct on-the-job coaching gives Crystal the confidence to tackle new challenges in ways that would otherwise not be possible. “I like that aspect of having support around me – how [Talent Together] is helping lead [my mentor] and she is helping me.”  For example, writing an IEP is daunting for many new teachers. But Crystal is already working closely with her mentor on this new skill: “My mentor showed me how and I did a large section. It was a lot, but she helped me navigate the system. I was most concerned about doing the IEPs so I loved having that support.” Strong District Partnerships School administrators play a central role in facilitating the apprenticeship year, and Allegan Area ESA has been an exceptional partner. Thanks to her school leaders, Crystal has had authentic experiences participating in school-wide routines. “So far, the principal has been very supportive. She made sure I was always sitting next to my mentor and immediately invited me to all of the teacher meetings. My mentor started including me in all emails [our school leaders] send.” As Allegan Area ESA invests in Crystal’s development, Crystal looks forward to her continued service at the organization where she’s already deeply embedded. “I really respect all of the staff members at Allegan Area ESA. They have been so supportive, from the superintendent to the principal and other staff members. I can really see myself making a career here.” What can Crystal offer as a piece of advice to future candidates? “If you need support, Talent Together is there for you. If you just follow the steps, you are going to be just fine.” Registered Apprenticeships A registered apprenticeship is a key part of the Talent Together experience. Completing a registered apprenticeship is an opportunity to obtain paid work experience and gain classroom instruction while a teacher candidate completes their final year of coursework. Read More >>

‘Talent Together’ program seeks more funds as teacher applications rise

‘Talent Together’ Program Seeks More Funds as Teacher Applications Rise Talent Together saw thousands of applications By Courtney Bennett FLINT, Mich. – A program that was started to address the teacher shortage in Michigan has grown and saw thousands apply in the latest round of applications. It’s called Talent Together Grow Your Own Program and millions of dollars have gone in to support this, but will this program continue? “We are asking the legislature for additional funds so that we can accept more people because clearly, we have 2700 people who are banging down the door to say we want to become teachers. We’d like to accept as many of them as possible,” says Jack Elsey, he’s the founder of the Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative. “What Talent Together does is allow folks to keep their job in a school and even get their bachelor’s degree in some cases, plus their certification, all for free,” says Elsey. This was started to address Michigan’s teacher shortage. Cohort one had 950 people who are becoming teachers. Out of the 2500 that applied in cohort two they expect to accept 600. “I think we would all agree that helping 1000s More Michiganders become teachers is is an important and critical solution to making sure that we don’t have a teacher shortage in the future,” says Elsey. Elsey says they see how this program is already helping schools. He says they will have 150 people who will graduate in the spring and start as classroom teachers in the fall. Vanessa Scruggs is finishing her first year in the Talent Together Grow You Own. Her children are in college right now and without this program she says it wouldn’t be possible for her to be a teacher. “I kept putting it off, I kept putting it off. I kept putting it off and I’m thinking, Okay, I’m getting too old for this. I gotta do something,” says Scruggs. Scruggs says she has a degree in criminal justice but fell in love with being in a school. “I wanted to do more for our kids that don’t have that support. And this is the way for me to do that,” she says. Scruggs is working at a school while taking classes at Northern Michigan. Through Talent Together, it’s all virtual, you can live anywhere in the state and take these classes. Scruggs says it works well but can also be a challenge. “I’ve been out of college for 36 years. And this experience is totally new to me. I’m old school. I’m a grandmother, you know, and I’m used to the face-to-face and standing outside the professor’s door and saying, Hey, I don’t understand that I didn’t understand it. And you don’t have that when you’re virtual,” says Scruggs. They are hopeful they can continue this program given the success but again they are asking for help to fund this through the state legislature budget.     Read Original Article Here

State program aims to get more teachers by paying for a degree or certification

State program aims to get more teachers by paying for a degree or certification Experts say the teacher shortage in Michigan is growing By Peter Maxwell The State of Michigan is facing a severe shortage of teachers, leaving many schools and districts struggling to fill open positions. Teacher applications are coming in at about half of what they were prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. To try and stop the shortage, the Michigan Intermediate School Districts (ISDs), through grants, started the Michigan Talent Together program. It gives aspiring teachers a tuition-free degree and lets them work in schools while completing their coursework. Tyra Gains is a fifth-grade teacher at University Prep Art and Design Elementary School in Detroit. She’s also attending Northern Michigan University for her elementary certification. She heard about the talent program through a friend and applied. “It’s taken off ever since. I have been going to classes and enjoying my time in the program,” Gains said. Every intermediate school district in the state is now part of the program. It’s the newest solution to a critical shortage of teachers in the state at all levels of education. Many teachers have retired or found new careers. “No job is easy, no matter what you do. But if you love what you do, it won’t make you be like, ‘Oh, I don’t want to go there,’” Gains said. Over the last decade, the state experienced a 66% drop in enrollment in education preparation programs, which is the second largest in the country. One of the reasons is cost. The program seems to be making a difference. There are already hundreds of future teachers in the pipeline. Last year, the program saw 1,500 applicants with over 900 receiving degrees or their teaching certification. Ken Gutman, the deputy superintendent of Oakland County Schools, said the program is a blessing for his district. He said it helps remove the financial barriers that would prevent people from getting their degree or certification. “We certainly know there are people out there that want to be educators,” he said.   Read Original Article Here