Over 500 Educators & Parents Strengthen Michigan's Special Education Workforce

OPTIMISE
Featured Presenter

Over 500 Educators & Parents Strengthen Michigan's Special Education Workforce

Advancing Michigan's Special Educator Workforce

Attract

OPTIMISE attracts future educators by showcasing in-demand special education careers, sharing real job openings across Michigan, & using clear, encouraging messaging that helps students & career changers see education as meaningful work.

Prepare

OPTIMISE better prepares current and future professionals by explaining career pathways, highlighting training & funding options, and outlining practical next steps so interested people can move from curiosity to credentials and readiness.

Retain

OPTIMISE supports retention by studying attrition, advancing practical solutions that improve educators’ work environments, & helping clear barriers so professionals can focus more on student learning and achievement.

The Task Force

established a statewide strategy to strengthen Michigan’s special education workforce serving individuals with disabilities, Birth to 26 years.

Guided by input from more than 500 Michigan educators and parents, the Task Force developed an action plan to improve the systems that shape recruitment, preparation, and retention. Its work includes identifying barriers to training and entry, studying attrition and practical retention solutions, reviewing preparation programs to streamline pathways into the profession, and examining licensure requirements to make those pathways clearer.

• Shailee Patel, MEA • Tina Kerr, MASA • Abby Cypher, MAASE • John Severson, MAISA • Colin Ripmaster, MASSP • Kanika Littleton, Michigan Alliance for Families • Teri Pettit, SEAC • Teri Rink, Director MDE Office of Special Education • Lauren Mangus, MASP • Diane Katakowski, MSHA • Laura Zangara, Mediation Svcs. • Venessa Keesler, Launch Michigan • Rep. Carol Glanville, Michigan Legislature • Amy Phaneuf, MASSW • Kimberly Gillow, MEMSPA • Emma Young | Office of Governor • Christi Edge, Northern Michigan University

The Core Team

provides the structure and guidance that helps OPTIMISE move from ideas to action. Accountable to the Task Force, the team brings together the right perspectives, supports Action Teams, helps align recommendations with Section 94d, identifies needed resources, and monitors factors that may affect progress.

Through ongoing feedback, coordination, and quarterly reporting, the Core Team helps ensure OPTIMISE stays focused on building a stronger, more sustainable workforce to serve individuals with disabilities, Birth to 26 years.

“It feels as if there is true traction and steps will happen that lead to a change in special education.”

“I’m most excited about streamlining special education processes to increase the time available to support kids! Thank you so much!!”

“The OPTIMISE experience is beneficial, empowering, educational, and diverse.”

“I’m most excited about having a statewide electronic streamlined IEP system that reduces paperwork demands.”

“OPTIMISE is an organization in education that actually uses a systematic process to bring positive changes to the system to serve our students and families better to become contributing members of society.”

“The OPTIMISE work is amazing. I spent time with my peers and bouncing ideas off of one another, which was amazing and lacking at times in my current role. I’m leaving the Action Team with some amazing ideas to take home and try.”

“It’s exciting to see momentum again in special education. Very productive.”

The Action Teams

The primary role of action teams is to develop very specific recommendations within a relatively narrow focus as determined by the core planning team. The action teams are accountable to the core planning team.