Information on Michigan academic standards and instructional resources.
Responsible for providing final decisions in administrative appeals to MDE.
Learn more about the MDE office responsible for providing leadership in curriculum and instruction that provides students with greater choices to prepare for success.
Resources for educator certification, recognition programs, evaluation, and workforce research.
Resources related to financial and pupil accounting and auditing.
Options available for Michigan students that provide unique learning opportunities.
Food & Nutrition Programs
This MDE office provides resources and technical assistance in physical education, sex education, health education, behavioral, emotional, mental, and social education as well as safety, discipline, and transportation.
Resources for programs and initiatives that support school improvement efforts.
Resources for supporting special education in Michigan.
Michigan has an innovative and comprehensive system of assessments to measure student achievement in learning our state content standards.
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Search is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
May 14, 2014
May 14, 2014
LANSING – Twenty-one students statewide are winners of Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Breaking Traditions Awards for surpassing obstacles and stereotypes to achieve success in career and technical education (CTE) programs, State Superintendent Mike Flanagan announced today.
“The Breaking Traditions Awards recognize high school and college students who have demonstrated success in CTE programs that are nontraditional to their gender,” Flanagan said. “At a time when there is a call from various stakeholders for building a more-responsive, market-driven schools-to-jobs pipeline, it is important to recognize the efforts of these students and the programs that helped them.”
The students received the awards at a ceremony at the Library of Michigan in Lansing. MDE’s Office of Career and Technical Education oversees high school instructional programs that teach students skills in a specific career cluster. Most programs offer early college credit opportunities to provide a seamless transition to postsecondary education.
“These outstanding students are preparing themselves to enter a career that will benefit them individually and benefit Michigan by increasing diversity in our state’s workforce.” Flanagan said. “By their determination and dedication to pursuing careers in an area nontraditional for their gender, they are role models for peers who may be considering such a career path.”
The list of awardees, in alphabetical order, by county, for each category, is as follows:
Michigan Breaking Traditions 2014 Excellence Award:
Postsecondary
Genesee
Jeremy Todd Geda
Mott Community College
Nursing Program
Postsecondary
Genesee
Ebony Moon
Mott Community College
Electronics and Electrical Technology Program
Secondary
Ingham
Kaitlyn Elizabeth Denczek
Capital Area Career Center, Haslett High School
Culinary Arts and Hospitality Program
Michigan Breaking Traditions 2014 Merit Award:
Antrim
Mariah Holley
Traverse Bay Area Intermediate District Career-Tech Center, Mancelona High School
Culinary Arts Program
Calhoun
Rebeca Tani
Calhoun Area Career Center, Lakeview High School
Welding Program
Cass
Misty Marie Bannow
Van Buren Technology Center, Dowagiac Union High School
Auto Body Program
Gladwin
Haley Forbes
Clare Gladwin Career Center, Beaverton High School
Criminal Justice Program
Ingham
Savannah R. Ruby
Ingham Intermediate School District, Waverly High School
Computer Science Academy Program
Kent
Sydney Yichun Bogard
Kent Career Technical Center, Rockford High School
Criminal Justice/Public Safety Program
Lapeer
Faye Elizabeth Wright
Lapeer Education and Technology, Imlay City High School
Public Safety and Protective Services Program
Macomb
Destiny Helena Williams
Fitzgerald High School
ASE NATEF Automotive Program
Macomb
Elizabeth Edberg
Utica Center for Science and Industry, Stevenson High School
Engineering Technology Program
Newaygo
Kristine Dean
Newaygo County Career-Tech Center, Grant High School
Welding Technology Program
Newaygo
Rachel Ekkel
Newaygo County Career-Tech Center, Homeschool student enrolled through Fremont High
School
Agriscience Program
Newaygo
Samantha Muir
Newaygo County Career-Tech Center, Grant High School
Culinary Arts Program
Saginaw
Ce’Aira C. Richardson
Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center, Bridgeport Spaulding High School
Emerging Technologies in Computers, Multimedia & Software Program
St. Clair
Katlyn Nita Sienkiewcz
St. Clair Technical Education Center, Port Huron High School
Culinary Arts Program
St. Clair
Sydney Martin
St. Clair Technical Education Center, Port Huron High School
Digital Media Technology Program
Tuscola
Rachael B. Hahn
Tuscola Technology Center, Unionville-Sebewaing High School
Welding & Fabrication Program
Wexford
Megan Hughes
Wexford-Missaukee Career Technical Center, Pine River High School
Power Sports and Equipment Program
Wexford
Rachel Schmid
Wexford-Missaukee Career Technical Center, Cadillac High School
Welding/Metal Fabrication Program
To qualify for consideration, a student had to meet the following criteria:
Applicants had to provide two letters of support and write a brief narrative explaining their career obstacles faced, plus key accomplishments.
“The MDE is investing in Michigan's future by helping ensure that our children are career and college ready and have the skills the jobs of today and jobs of tomorrow demand,” said Patty Cantu, Director of the Office of Career and Technical Education. “Career and Technical Education is education that works for Michigan.”
