PD News & Opportunities

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

NEA Member Benefits is hosting five virtual workshops designed to help you navigate student loan forgiveness, understand recent policy and program changes, and explore the NEA Student Debt Navigator, a powerful tool to manage your repayment options. Each 1-hour and 15-minute session offers valuable information tailored for NEA members. (NOTE: To protect member privacy, sessions will not be recorded and AI read bots are not permitted.)

Check out this flyer for more information. No pre-registration is required – simply log on to this Zoom meeting at one of the times below (if prompted, the Meeting ID is 890 9200 3413 and the Passcode is 513370):

 

  • Monday, Oct. 27 at 5:00 p.m. ET
  • Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Thursday, Oct. 30 at 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. ET
  • Monday, Nov. 3 at 5:30 p.m. ET

MEA’s 2025 Higher Education Conference will be held Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at MEA headquarters in East Lansing.

Attendees will take advantage of the expertise and knowledge of MEA presenters, who have geared their sessions to address prevalent issues facing higher education in Michigan, especially issues affecting faculty and staff.

Registration is open through Oct. 3 — learn more and register now!

MEA launches free Science of Reading course through OxEd partnership

Recognizing the importance of literacy and the need to implement Science of Reading strategies statewide, MEA’s Center for Leadership & Learning is proud to launch a new partnership with OxEd & Assessment. Together, MEA and OxEd will provide members with exclusive world-class professional development in the science of reading and literacy.

Learn more about this comprehensive course which will explore topics including the importance of oral language, decoding and reading comprehension difficulties, and the importance of language to socio-emotional wellbeing. The full training course will be provided at no cost to MEA members and counts towards 15-20 hours of continuing education credits.

Interested? Let us know and we’ll get you more information.

 

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.