In this episode of the Launch Michigan Podcast, Dr. Venessa Keesler sits down with Jack Elsey, founder and CEO of the Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative (MEWI), and Lawrence Hood, superintendent of Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences (DAAS), to discuss how strategic staffing and team-based teaching models can help address Michigan's educator workforce challenges.
Teachers are one of the most important factors influencing student success, yet Michigan continues to face significant challenges recruiting and retaining the educators its students need. In this episode, Launch Michigan President and CEO Dr. Venessa Keesler is joined by Dr. Madeline Mavrogordato, Director of the Education Policy Innovation Collaborative (EPIC) at Michigan State University, and Dr. Jason Burns, EPIC Research Specialist, to explore the current state of Michigan's educator workforce. Together, they examine the teacher pipeline, rising turnover rates, educator retention challenges, and the growing impact of teacher shortages across the state. The conversation also takes a deep dive into educator compensation, including Michigan's national rankings for teacher pay, changes to benefits and retirement systems, public opinion on teacher salaries, and what research says about the connection between investing in educators and improving student outcomes. The guests discuss why compensation, working conditions, leadership, and professional growth opportunities all play a critical role in building a strong and sustainable educator workforce. If Michigan wants to strengthen student outcomes, grow its economy, and ensure every child has access to high-quality educators, what investments should come next? Tune in for a data-driven conversation about the policies and priorities shaping the future of teaching in Michigan.
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A re-release of Launch Michigan’s March 2026 Webinar, with some adjustments to fit the podcast format.
NOTE: Elements of the MEG may change or develop over time.
Whether you're an educator, policymaker, employer, parent, or student, this discussion offers a practical look at how Michigan can redesign the high school experience to better prepare young people for the future.
In this episode, we explore what the research says about early literacy, the critical importance of strong instruction in kindergarten through second grade, and why waiting until third grade is often too late.
Launch Michigan President & CEO Venessa Keesler joined Mike Austin on the WILS Morning Wake-Up to discuss the urgency to reinvent Michigan's public education system and how Launch Michigan is positioned to work with policy leaders and education stakeholders to set students up for success.
Learn more: https://1320wils.com/podcasts/the-wil...
In support of Michigan’s work to define the Michigan Education Guarantee, Launch Michigan hosted a series of virtual learning sessions, with the third session being held on Monday, January 6, 2025. At this session, Launch Michigan President and CEO Venessa Keesler, Ph.D. described the intersection of assessments and accountability in Michigan, shared the evolution of Michigan accountability systems, and provided an overview of the types of accountability information and data available through MISchoolData.
In support of Michigan’s work to define the Michigan Education Guarantee, Launch Michigan is hosting a series of virtual learning sessions in December and January. Watch the second Launch Michigan Learning Session, where president and CEO Venessa Keesler, Ph.D.:
Provides context on Michigan’s graduation requirements and curriculum standards and how they relate to other aspects of education.
Reflects on current strengths and changes needed in Michigan’s education system to ensure that students graduate with the competencies they need to thrive now and throughout their lifetimes.
In support of Michigan’s work to define the Michigan Education Guarantee, Launch Michigan is hosting a series of virtual learning sessions in December and January. Watch the first Launch Michigan Learning Session from December 9, 2024, where president and CEO Venessa Keesler, Ph.D.:
Provided context on graduation requirements and why they matter.
Highlighted key recommendations from the Education Strategy Group’s report, "Rethinking High School Graduation Requirements: A Strategic Imperative for State Policymakers.”
Shared how another state has successfully updated its graduation requirements to align with today’s workforce needs.
The system that served our students well 50 years ago is no longer preparing all of them to be the critical, versatile, and creative thinkers we need to sustain robust communities, fuel a vigorous economy, and live meaningful and rewarding lives. Put simply, it is getting harder and harder to achieve the American dream of having our children do better in life than we did. For Michigan to be successful in the coming decades, where opportunity and prosperity are widely shared, and to ensure businesses find the talent they need to grow, we must reinvent our education system. The Launch Michigan framework is a a roadmap for reinventing our public education system.