SHAPE Michigan
Newsletter -March, 2022
SHAPE MICHIGAN
Email: shapemichiganoffice@gmail.com
Website: www.shapemichigan.us
Phone: 866-980-4284
Facebook: facebook.com/SHAPEMICHIGAN
Twitter: @SHAPEMI
Welcome from SHAPE Michigan!
Welcome to the SHAPE Michigan March Newsletter!
We hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of spring and the warmer weather. Spring Break is quickly approaching and will hopefully provide some rest and relaxation.
The SPRING WORKSHOP - Come Grow With Us is Saturday, March 19th. This is another SHAPE Michigan virtual convention with another excellent group of
presenters. Sign up now at shapemichigan.us
Please join us with our free monthly networking sessions and mark your calendar for
March 19th...a Virtual Spring Workshop. Come join us for discussion focusing on
adapted physical education, physical education and health! The monthly
networking sessions are the third Thursdays of each month.
As always, please communicate with us if you have any questions or suggestions for SHAPE Michigan. You can send your email to shapemichigandirector@gmail.com
As a professional organization, we will continue to emphasize the importance of quality physical education and health programs that facilitate effective movement, knowledge and social emotional well-being in the pursuit of healthy, active lifestyles.
We look forward to staying connected with each of you and assisting you
throughout the 2021-2022 school year!
Executive Director's Corner - Dr. Deb Berkey
COVID, teacher shortages and local challenges have severely impacted the work of the schools across Michigan. Generally guided by the tenants of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC), the Michigan Department of Education has responded with several guidance documents including Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan MI Top Ten as well as protocols for hiring staff to provide highly qualified educators for Michigan students. The teacher shortage has made it necessary to hire personnel who have not followed the traditional certification path. Released in February, 2022, this information may be found at this link: Permits.
The WSCC Model has elevated the status of the importance of health and physical education, social emotional well-being as well as family engagement. These are among the 10 components of the model. This coupled with the fact that one of the Michigan Top 10 Strategic goals is to “improve the health, safety and wellness of learners” underscores the importance to address the certification of the teachers who lead the health and physical education programs. So let’s review who, traditionally, is certified to teach health and physical education (Certifications).
There are four designations on a teaching credential issued from the MDE that are important to know. These are MB-Physical Education, MA-Health Education, KH- Health Education and MX- Health, Physical Education and Physical Education. (There is also an important Endorsement SP- Physical Education for Students with Disabilities.) The requirements for each of these certifications are listed clearly on the MDE site. Generally, these include a major (30 hours) prescribed by an approved institution of higher education and successful passage of the MTTC Test. But, remember, there is a teacher shortage in several core subjects and COVID has challenged the reality of the operation of many districts.
So, it is important to read “About Michigan Substitute Permits” (Substitutes):
The first section of this document states: Michigan law requires schools to hire and employ properly certified and endorsed teachers (MCL 380.1231 and 380.1233). In order to systematically address needed exceptions to law, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has established administrative rules in accordance with MCL 380.1531 to authorize permits. A school district or nonpublic school shall obtain a substitute permit to employ an individual or teacher who does not hold the valid and appropriate endorsement or certificate, including an individual employed under section 1233b, section 1233c, or section 1531f of 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1233b, 380.1233c, or 380.1531f.
There are four types of permits: Daily Substitute Permit, Full-Year BASIC Substitute Permit, Full-Year SHORTAGE Substitute Permit, Full-Year EXPERT Substitute Permit. When reading Substitute document, take note that the first step a district is to take is establish that a properly certified and endorsed teacher is NOT available. In addition , “emergency” certification is not transferrable across district and that a plan to pursue certification is to be supervised by the district. Related to the certification and “substitute” question is that All Subjects certification is specific to self-contained classrooms and not departmental assignments (Self-Contained).
So what does this all mean for SHAPE-Michigan and other like-minded organizations like the Michigan School Health Coordinators and our administrative partners? Well, first of all, read the documents included in this article and share these with your local districts including MEA reps. Second, we need to re-double our efforts to connect qualified teachers with school districts seeking certified teachers. Third, the profession needs to provide professional development for those staff members who are hired as substitutes. Fourth, SHAPE Michigan needs to publicize higher education programs that will support the pursuit of alternative certification and/or traditional certification.
As initial steps, SHAPE Michigan will begin to offer a “job board” to announce vacancies. We will also begin to develop a plan to provide professional development focused on new, re-assigned or alternative-certification seeking individuals. We will also ask higher education programs to advertise their programs on our site and within our communication platforms. If you would like to help, please, contact me at SHAPEMICHIGANDIRECTOR@gmail.com. Together we can facilitate the pursuit of healthy, active lifestyles in Michigan!
SHAPE Michigans Virtual Networking sessions are a wonderful way to connect, collaborate, and share with other Health and Physical Education professionals. Connect directly with others in your content area. Join us....Free for everyone...Only one hour per month! Click HERE for access or go to shapemichigan.us
Virtual Spring Workshop - Come Grow With Us!
Our upcoming virtual series workshop on Saturday, March 19th.
SIGN UP NOW AT SHAPEMICHIGAN.US
Coleen Cook - Dearborn Public Schools
Hello my name is Colleen Cook. I grew up in Jackson Michigan playing various sports alongside my brothers and sister until finally settling on ice hockey and swimming in high school. I have been working with youth in different capacities for many years. I have no “human kids” as my students say but I do have two 4 legged furry 'kids'.
I realized my passion for working with people, especially young people when I worked for the Jackson Recreations department in high school and college. I taught swim lessons and lifeguarding at their city pools during the summer and helped run many youth, adult and senior activities at one of the recreation centers. I have since moved but continue to be a lifeguard and teach swim lessons to children of all ages and ability levels during the summer at Ypsilanti’s public pool. I love watching skills and endurance improve.
I have been teaching in Dearborn Public Schools since 2002 after I graduated from Eastern Michigan University with my bachelor’s degree in physical education with a minor in health. I also took many classes in Adaptived Physical Education although I never finished that degree. In 2011, I received my master's degree in physical education pedagogy from Eastern Michigan. As soon as that was finished I had one student teacher and then began teaching Adaptive Physical Education which I fell in love with. After five years of teaching Adaptived Physical Education I was asked to get certified to teach this field. After studying for about a year I was able to pass the CAPE test and become a certified Adaptive Physical Educator. I really enjoy the challenge of figuring out how to help an individual move and participate with the class. I have enlisted others to help me craft additions to student’s walkers to help carry a ball with them too. I like to try new things to see if I can get students to be more active. Before COVID I borrowed and used the Ultimate workout machine in my class. This maching allows students in chairs to exercise with different strength bands and gives them something else they can do in the weight room. They all enjoy the new “yellow machine”.
Since switching to adaptived physical education I have worked with MoCI and POHI students. This year I also have an ASD class. It has been a new challenge that requires more planning and sequencing than I have done before but is also very rewarding seeing the students succeed and progress over time. Especially in the pool. I am also working to plan and coordinate a full district adaptived field day. This new experience with the ASD students will help me when planning stations and to prepare my students for this fun day. Each day is new and different depending on the mood of the students. Even when students are frustrating, each day brings laughter, creativity and challenges that I enjoy.
Free Webinars - United States Tennis Association
The USTA offers free webinars on varying topics to help you introduce tennis in PE classes, connect with out-of-school (community) programs, coach recruitment, and middle and high school teams. The webinars are open to teachers, school team coaches, individuals, and organizations that are interested in exposing young people to the life-long sport of tennis.
*Please note that this webinar will be recorded and available on usta.com/webinars within 5 business days.
(PE Teacher Focused Webinars)
March 16th @ 4-5pm- USTA School's/Team Coach Program Overview
April 13th @ 4-5pm- Training Opportunities, Camps, and Connecting with a School Partner
July 13th @ 4-5pm- School Year Registrations and USTA Partnerships
September 21st @ 4-5pm-Out of School USTA Opportunities
(School Team Coach Focused Webinars)
March 16th @ 4-5pm- USTA School's/Team Coach Program Overview
May 18th@ 4-5pm- Manual Overview and Out of Season Opportunities
August 17th @ 4-5pm- Training, Certifications, and Coaches Panel
(Middle & High School Coach Recruitment Focused Webinars)
June 2nd @ 3-4pm- Fall Coach Recruitment
November 10th @ 3-4pm- Spring Coach Recruitment
if you have any questions, please contact Karen Savage
Karen Savage | Tennis Service Representative
Northern Michigan
USTA/Midwest Section | www.midwest.usta.com
317.755.8191 | savage@midwest.usta.com
Why is it so important to become a SHAPE Michigan member?
It is important to become a SHAPE member because it offers so many avenues of information in my teaching profession. From professional development conferences, to updated curriculum , to new ways of teaching, and updated equipment that may be available. It also builds relationships and community with other professionals that may be lacking in people's lives.
Merrill Derose
Physical Education
Plymouth -Canton Public Schools
Why did you become a SHAPE Michigan member?
I became a SHAPE Michigan member because being surrounded by like-minded educators in your content area is invaluable. So many opportunities for leadership positions, networking, publishing, and more are available through membership. Most importantly, our organization is a family and I’ve never felt more supported and cared for by my colleagues as I have by being part of SHAPE Michigan.
Haiey Barnes
Physical Education
West Bloomfield Public Schools
Why is it so important to become a SHAPE Michigan member?
I believe it is so important to become a SHAPE member for so many reasons! First of all, if you believe your job is meaningful and important and should be a part of the core curriculum of your school district then you should be taking part in a professional group that allows you to grow in your field. Also, NETWORKING, NETWORKING, NETWORKING!!! It's a great way to meet other people in your profession and share ideas, help each other out. It's been so wonderful to be able to "steal" ideas from conferences and friends I've made throughout the years at SHAPE.
Amy Nieuwenhuis
Physical Education
Otsego Public Schools
Did you know a SHAPE Michigan membership is only $40.00 per year? Be a part of Michigan's professional organization for Physical Education and Health. Collaborate, network, and support our profession. Join or renew your membership at shapemichigan.us today!
SHAPE Michigan's 2022 Partners
A society in which all individuals in Michigan enjoy an optimal quality of life, through appreciation of and participation in active, creative, health-promoting lives