Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative

To the aspiring educators in the Class of 2026, we are proud of you for choosing to uplift and empower future generations. Congratulations, you did it! @CMUniversity @EasternMichU @michiganstateu @NorthernMichU @WesternMichU

The MiEarly Apprentice program is growing! After piloting in Wayne, Montcalm, and Marquette-Alger, we’re expanding to Mecosta-Osceola, COOR ISD, Saginaw, and Oakland to strengthen Michigan’s ECE pipeline. @NorthernMichU @washtenawcc @WayneRESA @montcalmkids Marquette-Alger RESA

MEWI was featured on WDIV’s Flashpoint to address the critical challenges facing our state’s education system. This roundtable provided a vital platform for us to share expertise on the teacher workforce and advocate for the systemic support educators need to succeed.

As Michigan achieves record enrollment in PreK for All, the demand for qualified early childhood educators has never been greater. MEWI recently joined WWJ Newsradio to discuss how MiEarly Apprentice is proactively addressing this shortage.

Partners like Wayne-Westland are essential in showing how the MiEarly Apprentice model can transform career paths. We value their proactive approach to workforce development and their cheerful integration of MiEarly Apprentice to support professional growth.

On National Teacher Day, MEWI celebrates the dedicated professionals who lead our classrooms. We are committed to supporting their growth and elevating their essential role in our communities. Thank you, teachers, for your tireless commitment to Michigan students!

Join MEWI this Wednesday for a @MASASupts Quickfire Session: “Tackling the Teacher Shortage: Practical Solutions Making an Impact Now.” We're present alongside @TalentTogether, @EPICedpolicy and @mieducation. Registration is still open at gomasa.org/events/quickfi…

Celebrating #NAW2026! Spotlight on Fatima Khan, an Apprentice Teacher at Dodson Elementary. Through MiEarly Apprentice, @theuofolivet and # T.E.A.C.H., she is pursuing her dream to be a licensed teacher, nurturing kids' curiosity to help shape a better world. #ApprenticeshipUSA

MEWI is presenting at @MASASupts upcoming Quickfire Session: "Tackling the Teacher Shortage: Practical Solutions for Making an Impact Now" with @TalentTogether, @EPICedpolicy and @mieducation. Register now at gomasa.org/events/quickfi…

For National Apprenticeship Week, we are spotlighting Shamiya Carter, a Registered Apprentice at Stottlemyer Early Childhood Center. Shamiya is one of the first apprentices for the MiEarly Apprentice program. #NAW2026 #ApprenticeshipUSA @EasternMichU @NorthernMichU

MEWI is proud to share that Jack Elsey has been named as a Pahara Fellow this year. This experience will help MEWI learn from education leaders of all backgrounds from across the country. To learn more about @PaharaInstitute and the 2026 Fellowship, visit pahara.org/news.

Adrian Monge & Shelley Irwin discuss the need for MI early childhood educators & how MiEarly Apprentice is addressing this. Thanks for the spotlight, Shelley! Listen here: bit.ly/4vmOAJr @NorthernMichU @washtenawcc @WayneRESA @montcalmkids Marquette-Alger RESA

Your next career milestone in early childhood education is within reach. With MiEarly Apprentice, earn your degree and credentials at no cost while you teach and get paid. Apply by May 1: miedworkforce.org/mi-early-appre… @NorthernMichU @washtenawcc @montcalmkids Marquette-Alger RESA

Education leaders Dr. Daveda Colbert, Katie Flynn and Zina Davis co-authored an op-ed on the early childhood educator shortage and MiEarly Apprentice. Thank you for your tireless leadership for Michigan’s youngest learners! @WayneRESA @montcalmkids Children of the Rising Sun

Shining a light on our MiEarly Apprentice partner, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools! As an original pilot region, @PCCS_Official was vital to our launch. We’re grateful for their ongoing support as we scale in 2026. Building the future of early childhood education!

Thank you to the @freep and Beki San Martin for visiting our classrooms to share the impact of MiEarly Apprentice and the stories of our early childhood educators! Full story: freep.com/story/news/edu… @NorthernMichU @washtenawcc @WayneRESA @montcalmkids Marquette-Alger RESA

April 3 is Paraprofessional Appreciation Day! We recognize the dedicated individuals in these critical school roles. At MEWI, we are proud to support their professional dreams through MiEarly Apprentice and Talent Together. Thank you for your vital work in our classrooms!

The math is simple: 3 years at @washtenawcc + 1 year at @NorthernMichU = a degree, a teaching certificate and over $36,000 in savings! 🍎 This 3+1 program shows what’s possible when we innovate together. It’s a win for our students and Michigan’s future.

EPP Collaborative Spotlight: @WesternMichU We are proud to partner with WMU to champion a student-centered approach to teacher training. By emphasizing mentorship and inclusive pedagogy, we’re creating classrooms where every student feels seen, heard, and challenged.

MiEarly Apprentice is making a statewide impact! 🚀 Since its January 2025 pilot, the program has enrolled nearly 200 candidates across 90+ employers. With 6 post-secondary partners, we’ve hit a 100% retention rate for bachelor’s and teacher certification tracks.