New Educator's Network Off to a Strong Start

“Leading Change” was the theme for the first official statewide meeting of The Network of Michigan Educators (NME) when 142 network members gathered at Michigan State University’s Kellogg Center in December 2004. The NME is an organization officially recognized by both the State Board of Education (SBE) and the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) as an independent “collaborative partner working to improve education.” The mission of NME is to connect, enable, and engage the diverse gifts of its membership for the advancement of high achievement and excellence for Michigan students and educators. Dave Borth, NME chair, believes that the December meeting will have a long-lasting, significant impact on education in Michigan at a time when education is at a critical point of development.

“I have never met or worked with so many excellent educators who are so willing to invest themselves in improving both learning and their profession,” said Borth. “This was one of the most significant moments in my career.”

The NME—also called The Network—is made up of over 400 exemplary Michigan educators. It expands the highly successful Michigan Milken Educator Network (established in 1999) to include educators who have been recognized in the following programs:

• Michigan Teacher of the Year Program
• Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
• National Science Foundation (NSF) Einstein Fellowship Program
• Milken National Educator Award
• National Board Certification
• Christa McAuliffe Fellowship Program
• Partner Educators (Partnership for Success Program)
• Michigan Elementary/Middle School Principal of the Year
• National Distinguished Principal (Michigan)
• Michigan Secondary School Principals (Middle/High) of the Year
• Michigan Superintendent of the Year

The Network was formed at the request of SBE President Kathleen Straus and former State Superintendent, Tom Watkins. The Network began when 66 representatives of the award groups met in December 2003 for a two-day Educational Leadership and Instructional Excellence event co-sponsored by the MDE and the SBE. The representatives formed a 14-member steering committee that met three times in person and frequently online. The steering committee adopted a mission and operational guidelines, set goals and initiatives, and elected officers. The committee introduced The Network at the October 2004 SBE meeting in Grand Rapids and helped plan the December 2004 “Leading Change” event.

The Network is developing two key initiatives for the coming year: Action/Study Teams and “Ask The Network.” Action/Study Teams form learning community opportunities based on adult-learning research. Network members initiate local or regional study teams around specific topics and/or policy issues. These teams can include educators who are not network members. The “Ask The Network” initiative aims to provide feedback to policymakers. Using a value-weighted response process, policymakers can view Network response forms that report Network members’ reactions to impending policy or legislative decisions. Network response can be initiated/requested by the State Board, the MDE, the Governor’s office, or the legislature.

For more information, contact: Dave Borth, NME Chair, dborth@charter.net or Jean Shane, MDE Liaison, shanej@michigan.gov.