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Individuals Working in PK-12 Schools

Educator Recruitment a Major Highlight in State School Aid Budget

Future pme logoThe governor and the legislature worked together on a budget that supports the state's Top 10 Strategic Education Plan goals, specifically, an unprecedented $555 million to support Future Proud Michigan Educator (Future PME) programs in fiscal year 2023. 

Learn more about scholarships and grants, including eligibility and timelines.


Future Proud Michigan Educator Grow Your Own Staff Grant Opportunity

Future pme logoThe Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is continuing the Future Proud Michigan Educator (Future PME) initiative with a new grant opportunity for districts to support K-12 staff. This grant is an extension of Michigan’s efforts to grow and diversify the educator workforce and reduce educator shortages through the Future PME initiative.

Learn more about scholarships and grants, including eligibility and timelines.

Individuals, such as paraprofessionals and bus drivers, who are not certified teachers but are currently employed in local districts, have existing relationships with staff and students and often hold content knowledge for specific courses and district curriculum. These individuals are often committed to the community and profession, which makes them viable candidates for expanding a candidate pool.

While the individual works toward completion of an approved educator preparation program, districts may utilize these options to engage the educator in paid employment that may simultaneously satisfy clinical experience requirements for earning certification:

  • Annual CTE Authorization
  • Full-year Basic Substitute Permits
  • Interim Teaching Certificate for initial certification

Currently Certified Staff

Certified teachers, either currently under employment with a school or seeking employment, are a potential pool of candidates from which vacancies can be filled through completion of an approved additional endorsement program in a new discipline area. These individuals possess the knowledge, pedagogy and methodology for working with students. While the individual works toward completion of an approved additional endorsement program in a new discipline area, districts may utilize these options to engage the educator in paid clinical experiences:

  • 90-Calendar Days (Teacher Certification Code R390.1143)
  • Special Education Approvals
  • Full-year Shortage Substitute Permits
  • Full-year Basic Substitute Permits
  • Interim Teaching Certificate for additional endorsements
  • Retirees Under Critical Shortage Law

Many of Michigan's approved educator preparation providers offer non-degree and accelerated programs of study for additional endorsements. These providers support certified teachers in gaining valuable teaching experience in new endorsement areas without having to take a semester off work for student teaching.

Additional financial support may be available, including student loan forgiveness.

Student Teachers

Students enrolled in preparation programs to become teachers, such as those currently in a student teaching assignment, are an underutilized and potential pool of candidates from which vacancies can be filled. These candidates are committed to the teaching profession and are gaining the knowledge, pedagogy and methodology for working with students. While the individual completes their educator preparation program, the recommended options for utilizing these teachers include:

  • Full-year Basic Substitute Permits

It is vital to the success of both the student teacher's preparation program, and the success of this particular grow-your-own concept, that the student's educator preparation program be strategically, intentionally and collaboratively involved in this option.

Additional financial support may be available, including student loan forgiveness.

Permits and Placement Guidance