PD News & Opportunities

Check out these professional development opportunities being offered either by MEA or partner organizations

Paraprofessional Bootcamp

Join the MEA Paraeducator Bootcamp—a dynamic partnership with MAASE (Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education).  A foundational training experience designed to empower paraeducators with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to support diverse learners in Michigan schools. This five-part, self-paced online course explores everything from understanding IEPs and inclusive instruction to behavior supports and professional collaboration. Each unit includes interactive lessons, real-world examples, and practical strategies aligned with High Leverage Practices and the CEC’s nationally recognized paraeducator competencies. You’ll gain essential insights on:

  • Navigating special education systems and legal foundations (IDEA, 504, MTSS)
  • Collaborating with teachers and fostering student independence
  • Understanding and applying IEP goals and accommodations
  • Using positive behavior supports and the ABCs of behavior
  • Creating inclusive, engaging academic environments

To make this experience even more impactful, MEA is hosting a series of live webinars aligned with each unit—so you can learn with a live facilitator and your peers to ask questions, and deepen your understanding in a supportive, real-time setting. These webinars are designed to enhance the self-paced modules and build connections with other paraeducators across the state. After completing the online portion, participants will attend a capstone in-person workshop at MEA Headquarters, where you’ll apply what you’ve learned through interactive activities and collaborative reflection. Whether you’re new to the field or looking to sharpen your skills, this Bootcamp is your launchpad for making a stronger impact in the classroom—and building a rewarding, respected career in education.
This Summer 2025 Bootcamp has an enrollment limit of 40 members.  Successful applicants will receive a gas card that can be applied to the cost of participating in the in-person workshop at MEA Headquarters – East Lansing, MI 

Sessions will run from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Dates:

Unit 1: July 8th

Unit 2: July 15th & July 17th

Unit 3: July 22nd & July 24th 

Unit 4: July 29th & July 31st 

Unit 5: August 5th and 7th 

Scan the QR Code or click here to Register Now!
 
Please contact Chad Williams at cwilliams@mea.org for questions and additional information. 
Register Here

Grow Your Roots with MiCAREER

🌱 Grow Your Roots with MiCAREER🌱

Register Now for Our Summer 2025 Regional Events!

Are you living or working in a rural community and want to earn or advance your teaching credentials?
MiCAREER: The Rural Credentialing Hub is here to help you take the next step in your professional journey.

Let your career grow where your roots already are. 
Connect with university-based educator preparation programs and education partners who are ready to support your journey in the teaching profession.

Thanks to the groundbreaking Michigan Legislative Act 388.1671i and funding from the Michigan Department of Education, MiCAREER connects educator preparation institutions (EPIs) with rural school districts to create meaningful, accessible pathways for aspiring and current educators.

Join us for an inspiring Grow Your Roots recruitment event—a day dedicated to exploring no-cost certification and career advancement opportunities explicitly tailored for rural educators.

Learn about the MiCAREER: The Rural Credentialing Hub

✔ Who’s eligible
✔ What it covers
✔ The certification programs available

In addition to discovering these exciting opportunities, participants will engage in powerful professional learning session that focus on the unique strengths and challenges of rural education. Special emphasis will be placed on the importance of building relational trust as the foundation for effective teaching and learning in rural communities.

With MiCAREER, you can expect:

✔ Personalized support
✔ Credit for your prior experience
✔ One-on-one mentoring from experienced educators
✔ Flexible, university-based programs that fit your schedule
✔ Rolling admissions to help you get started when you’re ready

Who Should Attend?

✔ Rural educators working under temporary credentials
✔ Individuals nearing completion of a teacher prep program
✔ Experienced rural teachers seeking to add certifications or grow professionally

Not sure if your district qualifies as rural?
We use the definition of “rural” from the Educational Opportunities and Community Development in Rural Michigan report, which includes both rural and town designations as defined by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). 

👉Use this interactive map to check your district’s designation.

Attend any of our upcoming regional events—free of charge—at a location near you (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM):

📍 June 19, 2025 – Quality Inn | St. Ignace, MI
📍 June 24, 2025 – Holiday Inn Midland | Midland, MI
📍 June 25, 2025 – Holiday Inn & Suites Jackson | Jackson, MI
📍 June 26, 2025 – Sheraton Grand Rapids Airport Hotel | Grand Rapids, MI

SCECHs (State Continuing Education Clock Hours) will be available for eligible participants, pending approval from the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).

Register Here

Michigan Virtual Pilot on AI Literacy for Educators

A new pilot program from Michigan Virtual and aiEDU can help you build a solid foundation and become a champion for AI literacy in your school or district.

Selected participants will spend 3 hours in synchronous sessions and approximately 7 hours asynchronously learning about AI literacy and preparing to lead your own cohorts of teachers through aiEDU’s AI literacy course. Participants must be available for all synchronous sessions from Friday, June 13, to Friday, June 27:

  • Friday, June 13: Pre-work shared (this work will require about 3.5 hours of time)
  • Wednesday, June 17: Synchronous session 2pm ET
  • Friday, June 20: Synchronous session 2pm ET
  • Wednesday, June 25: Synchronous session 2pm ET
  • Friday, June 27: Last day to share feedback and materials for review

This is a completely free opportunity for selected participants, but registration is not guaranteed. Apply by June 9 to be part of this first cohort at the forefront of educational innovation while building the skills and confidence to support fellow educators.

Apply Now

2025 Summer Conference

Make your plans now to join MEA’s first-ever hybrid Summer Conference on July 15-17. Sessions will be held in-person at MEA Headquarters on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 15-16, as well as via Zoom. Thursday, July 17 will be 100% virtual.

Check out the conference announcement to learn more about the sessions being offered, which include high-quality professional development to improve both your practice as an educator and your work as a union advocate. The registration deadline is June 26.

Of note, Thursday will feature a 9 a.m. virtual keynote from Oxford Professor Emeritus Charles Hulme about the role of oral language in learning (read more below about our exciting new partnership with OxEd) and on Tuesday afternoon we’ll host 2026 candidates for governor for a meet-and-greet.

Learn More