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.
October 28, 2022
LANSING – Heather Dew, a para-educator with Saline Area Schools, was named Michigan’s 2022 Education Support Staff Professional of the Year, according to the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).
Dew, who has worked as a support staff professional for more than nine years, was selected from among more than 100 nominations for this year’s award. She is described as someone who does her job out of a genuine love, caring, and belief that every child deserves to have educators believe in them, who serve them and who care about their well-being and success.
“It takes an entire school community, working together, to help our children achieve to their fullest extent,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. “Heather Dew has shown devotion to and care for Saline students for many years as a para-educator. I want to offer my appreciation and congratulations to her on being named Michigan’s 2022 Education Support Staff Professional of the Year.”
Each school community benefits from the contributions of countless individuals who work tirelessly to ensure the needs of the whole child are met. Education support staff professionals play an essential role in a child’s education, and MDE salutes all educators and support staff as part of its efforts to uplift and honor Michigan’s educational staff.
“Heather Dew has been a dedicated para-educator working for Saline Area Schools since 2013,” said Monica Ellis, assistant director of student services for Saline Area Schools. “She has worked in both elementary and secondary schools, primarily serving students that are deaf and hard of hearing. In addition, Heather also goes above and beyond to provide interpreter services for families at different events or meetings in the district. We are so fortunate to have Heather on staff and it is wonderful that she is being recognized for her dedication to our students. She is very deserving of this recognition.”
As part of its ongoing commitment to highlighting and recognizing the contributions of individuals across the state who go above and beyond for their students, MDE is proud to partner with the American Federation of Teachers-Michigan, the Michigan Education Association, and American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 25 to offer this award. This was the fourth year that MDE partnered with Michigan’s educational labor organizations to present this award.
For more information about the Education Support Staff Professional of the Year award, please visit Education Support Staff Professional of the Year or contact Jennifer Robel at RobelJ@Michigan.gov.
Author:
