What happens when you stop seeing a student’s disability and start seeing their potential?

In this episode of the MAASE Field Notes Podcast, host Sarah Winslow sits down with Susie Rutkowski, co-founder of Project SEARCH, and a panel of Michigan leaders to explore this life changing school to work model.

Project SEARCH isn’t just a classroom program. It is a full immersion experience where interns spend their entire day at a host business like Meijer or Corewell Health. Susie shares the incredible news that Michigan programs are currently performing 13 points above the national average for employment outcomes.

Quick Links:

• About Project Search Michigan
• History & Research
• Sites In Michigan
• Start A Site
• Professional Learning & Events

Independence is more than a goal. It is a skill that can be practiced, refined, and mastered.

In this episode of the MAASE Field Notes Podcast, Executive Director Abby Cypher welcomes guest host Dr. Derek Cooley, Director of Special Education at Godwin Heights, for a deep dive into the MITTIN Project.

This statewide initiative is revolutionizing post secondary outcomes for students with disabilities by providing a free library of innovative digital resources, curricular tools, and professional development.

Derek is joined by a powerhouse panel of leaders who have been at the heart of this work: Dr. Kristine Gullen, MITTIN Project Manager Dr. James Nuse, Director of Special Education at Ionia Public Schools Dr. Lois Vaughan-Hussain, MITTIN PLC Facilitator

In this episode, we explore:

• Power of Partnership: How MAASE, the Michigan CEC, Great Lakes Reality Labs, and Public Policy Associates joined forces to build a sustainable ecosystem.
• Innovation in Action: The shift from simple navigation to immersive, web based modules and now sign language integration that allow students to practice daily living and employability skills in a low risk environment. Research and
• Results: Why the MITTIN model is gaining international attention through peer reviewed journals and how it is being used to bridge the theory to practice gap in rural and urban districts alike.
• The Statewide PLC: How Michigan educators are moving from isolation to collaboration, sharing lesson plans and best practices that are freely available to every practitioner in the state.

Whether you are a veteran administrator or new to the field, this conversation provides a blueprint for how professional learning and digital design can work together to strengthen student outcomes.

In less than a year Michigan has successfully trained over 4,600 paraeducators through a powerhouse initiative that is officially setting a new national standard. In this high energy episode of Field Notes Abby Cypher joins Cheryl-Marie Manson and Karlie Parker to reveal the exact framework they used to move the needle from critical vacancies to a system of support that actually works.

Learn how this state funded model provides high level training for free while also awarding $100 back to districts for every participant who completes the program. This is more than just a local win it is a scalable revolution featuring specialized tracks for early childhood transition and transportation launching on February 19.

If you are looking for a real solution to staffing shortages and student success you cannot afford to miss this conversation about these 4,600 success stories. Find out why leaders across the country are already asking how Michigan achieved these record breaking results so quickly.

Quick Links:

• Become A Trainer
• Find A Training Near You
• MAASE's Certified Training Resources [MEMBERS ONLY]
• K12 Article, "Teacher Shortages Hinder Special Education Progress. What Are The Solutions?"