The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is working with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) to hold a series of virtual job fairs intended to close the educator shortage in the state.
According to MDE, the virtual job fairs are open to employers of educators and anyone seeking to work in the education field. MDE went on to explain that participants will benefit from LEO’s expertise in hosting virtual job fairs. The job fairs will use the Radancy platform, which features increased functionality and ease of use. The job fairs will take place between March and May.
“Michigan has attracted national attention for its work in addressing the teacher shortage,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice. “Children have benefited from the efforts across the state in local and intermediate school districts. We continue to have a great deal of work to do, but much has been accomplished in the last few years in this critical area.”
The decision to use virtual job fairs is the latest move by the state to close the educator shortage. Thus far the state has improved recruitment and retention through scholarships to future educators; stipends for student teachers; teacher student loan repayments; Future Proud Michigan Educator EXPLORE grants; the Future Proud Michigan Educator LAUNCH program; Grow Your Own grant programs to help support staff and students to become teachers; Talent Together; expedited reciprocity for teachers and counselors certified in other states; a rural credentialing hub; and tuition reimbursement for special education teachers.
