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Can't see the images? View as webpage   April 11, 2019 Whitmer Announces Educator Advisory Council Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today followed through on her pledge to elevate the voices of educators in her administration with the announcement of a new 15-member Educator Advisory Council, which will begin taking applications immediately. The Educator Advisory Council will be responsible for: Identifying and analyzing issues impacting the effectiveness of Michigan’s public education system; Identifying best practices in public education; Recommending changes and improvements to our public education system; and Reviewing and making recommendations regarding legislation relevant to our public education system. To apply to be a part of the council, go to www.michigan.gov/appointmentsand select “Educator Advisory Council” from the dropdown menu in the "Boards and Commissions" application. The makeup of the council will include a broad cross-section of Michigan educators, including teachers, administrators, counselors, specialists, and support staff. “Michigan’s educators are on the front lines in classrooms every day working to make sure our kids can get a great public education,” said Whitmer. “By creating the Educator Advisory Council, we can finally give them a seat at the table so they can help develop public school policies that will help our students get the skills they need to compete for good-paying jobs and thrive right here in Michigan.” MEA President Paula Herbart praised the new council in a press release issued today. “We supported Gov. Whitmer’s candidacy because she has championed public schools in her career as a legislator and because she promised to listen to the front-line experts in classrooms and buildings across the state.  The creation of the Educator Advisory Council represents another ‘promise kept’ by our new governor.” Teacher of the Year Finalists Announced This year’s 10 Michigan Regional Teachers of the Year were announced last week by the Michigan Department of Education. From those regional finalists, the state’s top educator honoree – Michigan Teacher of the Year – will be revealed next month. The regional teachers of the year were selected for their dedication to the profession, as evidenced by their commitment to their students and track record of service in the teaching profession, both in their school and throughout Michigan, the MDE said in a statement. “Recognizing and tapping the skills and expertise of outstanding educators across Michigan helps improve all of our schools,” said Interim State Superintendent Sheila Alles. “We benefit greatly from the broad perspectives of teaching and learning taking place in our great state. Michigan is fortunate to have many talented educators.” Nine of the 10 regional teachers of the year are MEA members, and the tenth finalist works in Detroit Public Schools Community District which is represented by AFT Michigan. Continue reading . . . Online Option for Mandated Reporters For mandated reporters, it can be difficult to call and make a report of suspected abuse or neglect knowing it could take up to 30 minutes or more to complete the process by phone. Thanks to a new online program, those reports can now be completed online. If you are a mandated reporter, please register at your earliest convenience. It doesn’t take long and will save you time later if you have to make a report. The website is available at all hours, every day. When filing online, reporters have no obligation to file an additional written report (DHHS-3200) or to call the hotline.  The hotline remains open for oral reports, especially emergencies.  Online reporting is simply a second option. To register for the Michigan Online Reporting System, click here. Additional information for mandated reporters about the Michigan Online Reporting System or reporting suspected child abuse and neglect in Michigan is available here.  Member Benefit of the Week MEA Financial Services is owned by the MEA and exists to benefit you, the members of the MEA. MEA members can save money though exclusive auto and home insurance discounts, have access to competitive rate cash back reward credit cards, and prepare for retirement through a variety of programs that were designed with the MEA member in mind. Learn more about how MEA Financial Services can save you money and help prepare you for retirement atwww.meafs.com.