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In partnership with several Michigan Department of
Education (MDE) approved Educator Preparation Programs
(EPPs), Talent Together offers different pathways to degree
and teacher certification for the following aspiring teacher
candidates:
Talent Together is a consortium of 48 Intermediate School
Districts (ISDs) and Regional Education Service Agencies
(RESAs) serving over 1.1 million Michigan students. All school
districts and charter schools served by Talent Together ISDs
and RESAs can participate in Talent Together. Visit
www.mitalenttogether.org to see if there is a partner
district near you.
Please see our “About” page for more information.
Yes, non-school employees are eligible to apply, though the
consortium will prioritize applications from candidates who
are currently employed by Talent Together districts
and schools including Great Start Readiness Programs (GSRP) at community-based organizations within a participating Intermediate School District.
There will be no cost to apply or enroll in the program. All
costs associated with the program including tuition, fees and
materials will be covered for accepted candidates.
Talent Together is currently partnered with 9 colleges and
universities located all across the state, including: Adrian College, Alma College, Aquinas College, Central Michigan University, Davenport College, Lake Superior State University, Northern Michigan University, University of Michigan – Flint, and Western Michigan University. The consortium anticipates expanding college/university EPP partnerships in the future.
Most Talent Together participants who are seeking initial certification will participate in a Registered Apprenticeship Program that uses a “learn and earn” model of preparation. Though course requirements will be based on the number of credits a participant has towards a bachelor’s degree and will vary by college/university Educator Preparation Program, all candidates will have opportunities to earn credit for prior learning experiences and will earn credit for their work in school-based roles. During the final year of training, participants will become “Apprentice Teachers” and co-teach with experienced mentor teachers to demonstrate program standards before becoming fully certified.
Non-certified candidates already working in teaching positions on permits (as long-term substitutes or teachers of record) will participate in differentiated training experiences that may allow them to remain in the substitute or teacher of record role while teaching.
Talent Together participants will receive extensive support from consortium-based staff and Talent Together teacher leaders including job-embedded coaching. As participants demonstrate proficiency in program competencies, they will have opportunities for advancement, including financial incentives.
In addition to the job-embedded support outlined above, Talent Together participants will receive extensive, wrap- around support to ensure success in the program. Participants will co-create Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) study plans that include enrollment in an MTTC prep course. Participants will be placed in cohorts to ensure they can develop meaningful and supportive relationships that increase individual engagement and success.
Talent Together applications for Spring 2024 will open this winter. In the meantime, interested candidates may fill out an interest form here.
Candidates will begin the selection process by submitting the pre-application, including submission of a recommendation form from a Talent Together school or district administrator (for current school district employees). Talent Together staff will screen applications to ensure candidates meet the minimum requirements for at least one of the consortium’s partner college/university programs. From there, candidates will participate in an interview with consortium and Intermediate School District staff. Once accepted into Talent Together, Success Navigators will support candidates through the application process to identify the college/university program that best meets their needs.
Eligibility requirements vary by pathway and Educator
Preparation Program. At a minimum, a candidate must have
a high school diploma to be eligible for participation in a
Talent Together program. Educator Preparation Programs
typically have minimum grade point average requirements
for admission into their programs. During the Talent
Together application process, Success Navigators will also
work with ineligible candidates to create a support plan that
addresses gaps in eligibility (e.g., missing coursework).
Talent Together’s goal is to support current employees to
find an appropriate, right-fit pathway into the teaching
profession. Consortium-based Success Navigators will
support candidates through the application process to help
candidates identify the pathway and programs that are the
right fit for each individual to increase the likelihood of
acceptance. Because eligibility requirements vary by
Educator Preparation Program provider, admission into a
Talent Together program is not guaranteed.
The following endorsements can be pursued through one of
Talent Together’s participating Educator Preparation
Program partnerships:
-Early Childhood General Special Education (Birth to Kindergarten)
-Lower Elementary (Pre-Kindergarten to 3rd Grade)
-Upper Elementary (3rd-6th Grade)
– Autism
– Cognitive Impairment
– Emotional Impairment
– Learning Disabilities
– Secondary Integrated Sciences
– Secondary Mathematics
Talent Together participants are required to be working in school or district-based instructional roles or (for candidates seeking early childhood education certification) in community-based Great Start Readiness Programs (GSRP) within a participant Intermediate School District region for most of their programming. Applications will be accepted from people who are not currently employed in a school system.
Talent Together participants who successfully complete all
coursework and other program requirements will be
guaranteed a teaching position. If a position is not available
in a participant’s host school or district, the participant will
be eligible for teaching positions at other Talent Together
districts.
Yes, Talent Together participants are required to commit to
teaching in their host school or district for at least 5 years.
Participants from under-represented groups will have
opportunities to be placed into cohorts that centralize their
identities and ensures they feel a deep sense of belonging
and inclusion in the teaching profession and their schools.
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