Winter Virtual Conference

February 4-6, 2025

The MiCoOp 2025 Winter Virtual Conference is three days of engaging and inspiring conversations for all MiCoOp members and guests including superintendents, principals and directors, teachers, mentors, board members, and legislators. The conference schedule will be updated as information is received. All times are Eastern Time Zone. SCECHs may be available for sessions attended.

*This conference is open to MiCoOp Members and invited guests. Contact Lisa, sitkins@mi-coop.com, with registration questions.

Conference Schedule

February 4 February 5 February 6

February 4

10:00-11:00 am

MICourses.org

Presentation
Dr. Joe Freidhoff, Vice President, Michigan Virtual
Discover the power of MICourses.org, your comprehensive resource for online learning choices in Michigan! Learn about the National Standards for Quality Online Learning (NSQOL), which sets the gold standard for online education. Michigan Virtual manages the catalog and will share the why and how of district course submissions, demystifying the process. Whether you're a parent seeking the best for your child, a student exploring options, or an educator expanding your online offerings, this session will equip you with the knowledge to navigate the landscape of online learning through MICourses.org.
Outcomes:

Understand the role of MICourses.org in offering a comprehensive online learning catalog for Michigan, including how it aligns with the National Standards for Quality Online Learning.
Gain practical insights into the process for submitting district courses to MICourses.org, with guidance from Michigan Virtual.
Equip participants with strategies for effectively navigating and utilizing MICourses.org for tailored online learning experiences.

11:30 am-12:00 pm

Legislative Update

Presentation/Discussion
Betsy Springer, Legislative/Policy Advocate, Michigan CoOp
This session will provide an overview of policy and legislative trends shaping the landscape of innovative education. Join us for an engaging conversation on how these changes affect our programs. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and share perspectives on navigating policy challenges and leveraging opportunities for growth and improvement in the learning environment.
Outcomes:

Understand current policy and legislative trends impacting innovative education and their implications for learning.
Navigate policy challenges and leverage legislative opportunities to enhance program growth and improvement.

3:00-3:45 pm

Thinking Like an Entrepreneur: Innovating to Deliver What Families Want in Education

Presentation/Discussion
Thomas Arnett, Senior Research Fellow, Education, Clayton Christensen Institute
In an era where families are seeking more personalized and engaging educational experiences, school leaders have an opportunity to think beyond traditional boundaries and embrace an entrepreneurial mindset. This session explores lessons from research on why families choose unconventional schooling options to help leaders better understand what factors drive families' decisions.

Participants will learn practical strategies for uncovering the unique needs of their communities and testing innovative ideas through discovery-driven planning. By combining an understanding of family priorities with iterative, low-risk experimentation, school leaders can develop innovative programs that delight families and keep them engaged. Join this interactive session to reimagine your approach to innovation and leave with actionable tools to drive meaningful change in your district or school.

Pre-Session Reflection Questions:

Why do you think some families in your community choose to leave conventional schools? How do you currently gather insights to understand their reasons and priorities?
In your experience, what are the challenges or risks that make innovation difficult? What solutions have you found to help address these barriers?

February 5

9:00-9:45 am

Redesigning Education: A Fresh Take on an Inspired Idea

Discussion
Facilitated by Lisa Sitkins
We’re bringing back the popular school redesign session from years ago, inviting participants to craft their vision for a reimagined school system. Before the session, submit your design, including details about who’s involved, teaching and learning structures, and operational goals. A summary of all submissions will guide our discussion on common themes, actionable ideas, and ways to align or advocate within current state and federal guidelines. Let’s revisit this transformative concept and chart a path forward together. Sessions submitted to sitkins@mi-coop.com by 1/30/25 will be included in a compilation of all school redesigns.

Outcomes:

Share and analyze participant-generated school designs to identify shared themes and innovative practices.
Explore how proposed ideas align with current state and federal guidelines and identify opportunities for alignment or advocacy.
Develop actionable steps for integrating creative, transformative ideas into existing educational systems.

10:30-11:15 am

Accelerating College Degrees with CLEP

Presentation
Gini Beran, Director, CLEP Outreach, College Board
Discover how College Board's CLEP program can assist learners of all ages to earn college credit in an affordable, accelerated way. Resources including the free CLEP prep by Modern States will also be shared.

Outcomes:

Become familiar with CLEP subjects, scoring, and best practices in implementation.
Understand the numerous resources available to learners to prepare and practice for exams at no cost through Modern States.
Learn how to support learners who need an additional flexible college learning opportunity.

12:00-12:30 pm

Overview of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship

Presentation
Patrick Brown, Director of Adult Student Attainment Strategy, Michigan College Access Network
Michigan has seen a significant investment in statewide scholarship opportunities for learners of all ages to pursue higher education. This session will review the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and its accessibility for graduates in the class of 2023 and beyond. We will also share some helpful resources offered by the Michigan College Access Network that administrators, teachers, counselors and school personnel can use to build their repository of resources.

Outcomes:

Gain a comprehensive understanding of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and its benefits for high school graduates from the class of 2023 and beyond.
Discover resources from the Michigan College Access Network to support administrators, teachers, counselors, and school personnel in guiding students toward scholarship opportunities.
Learn strategies for leveraging available tools to help students navigate scholarship processes and maximize their higher education opportunities.

1:00-1:45 pm

Redefining Educator Roles for a Transformative Future

Discussion
David Tebo, Director, Innovation Services, Ottawa Area ISD
Join us in a forward-thinking discussion on the evolving roles of educators, inspired by KnowledgeWorks’ “Envisioning Educator Roles for Transformation.” This session explores emerging educator roles that focus on innovation, collaboration, and student-centered learning. Participants will examine how reimagined roles can drive transformation and prepare students for future success. Engage with peers to envision pathways that elevate teaching as a dynamic, adaptive profession.

Outcomes:

Identify and analyze potential new educator roles to support future-ready students
Discuss actionable strategies for implementing transformative practices in educational settings.
Collaborate on frameworks that foster professional growth and adaptability among educators.

SPONSOR:

2:30-3:15 pm

Revolutionizing Education: Building Pathways for Future Innovators

Presentation
Greg Green, Executive Director, My Virtual Academy
Education today is about more than just preparing students for tests—it’s about preparing them for life. In this session, I’ll dive into how we can reimagine K-12 education to create the kind of thinkers, doers, and leaders who thrive in today’s fast-changing world. Drawing on lessons from cutting-edge school design and decades of experience in education innovation, we’ll explore how to build pathways that inspire creativity, foster innovation, and lead to real opportunities. Key Themes:

Aligning with the Future: The skillsets top companies like Apple, Google, and Amazon are hungry for, and how to cultivate them starting in kindergarten.
Designing Purposeful Pathways: Practical steps to create educational environments where students can explore, fail, and innovate fearlessly.
Connecting Schools to the Real World: Why partnerships with industry, technology integration, and real-world learning are critical for today’s students.
Empowering Every Student: How we shift from traditional models to personalized, purpose-driven pathways that lead to success.

Let’s challenge the status quo and build schools where students aren’t just learning—they’re thriving. Together, we’ll create environments where every child has the tools to dream big, think differently, and take on the world.

Outcomes:

Visualize clear strategies for transforming schools into hubs of creativity and innovation.
Gather actionable ideas to foster the technical, creative, and leadership skills needed for future success.
Gain a renewed sense of purpose and energy to lead change in your school and communities.

3:30-5:00 pm

Understanding the Graduation Requirements in Michigan, they are WAY more Flexible than you Think!

Presentation
Rashell Bowerman, Instructional Consultant, National Blue Ribbon Schools Liaison, and Office of Educational Supports, Michigan Department of Education
The Michigan Merit Curriculum requirements are not meant to be a one-size-fits-all sequence of courses. Instead, the MMC content should be embedded into courses, experiences, CTE, dual enrollment, and other opportunities that allow students to learn in a personalized way. This session will support leaders in understanding the MMC requirements as well as the available waivers to modify the requirements when necessary. Let’s reimagine what high school could look like.

Outcomes:

Articulate the flexibility within the Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC).
Gain clarity on the MMC waiver options and the processes for modifying graduation requirements to better align with individual student needs and district goals.
Leave equipped with strategies and ideas to reimagine high school education, leveraging the MMC framework to create more personalized and innovative learning opportunities for students.

February 6

9:00-9:30 am

Using Personal Curriculums at Link Learning

Presentation
Ryan Thelen, Executive Director, and Amber Long, Regional Director, Link Learning, Berrien Springs Public Schools
Join us to hear how Link Learning utilizes Personal Curriculums to personalize pathways to graduation. Link will detail their expectations and process around Personal Curriculums across the 16 drop-in centers they operate across the state of Michigan.

Outcomes:

Gain insight into how Personal Curriculums personalizes pathways to graduation.
Identify key steps and resources needed to develop and sustain a Personal Curriculum program, taking into account district-specific goals, staff capacity, and the unique needs of their student population.
Evaluate the benefits and challenges of implementing Personal Curriculums within their own district.

10:00-10:30 am

Parent Engagement in a Virtual Learning Environment

Presentation
Kristi Teall, CEO, Teall Educational Consulting
Parent engagement is a critical factor in student success, especially in virtual learning environments where traditional forms of communication and involvement are challenged. This session will provide educators and leaders of virtual learning programs with practical strategies and insights to foster meaningful and sustained parent engagement in the digital age.

Outcomes:

Understand common myths about parent engagement.
Share research-based strategies to increase parent engagement.
Learn about activities and practices to enhance parent engagement in the virtual world.

11:00 am-12:15 pm

From Vision to Transformation - Actionable Strategies to Move Forward in Your Innovation Journey

Discussion
Dr. Tovah Sheldon, School Design Strategist, Michigan Virtual
Innovation isn't optional in today's rapidly changing educational landscape. This interactive session empowers leaders of all kinds to drive transformational change in their schools, districts and beyond. We'll explore real-world innovation examples from education and beyond, studying successful innovators' motivations, habits, actions, and journeys. By examining core practices, you'll discover applications that fit for your unique educational setting. Through guided reflection, you'll assess where you and your organization currently stand on the innovation journey, identifying strengths and growth opportunities. You’ll also practice one actionable strategy with the session so you know you can apply your learning immediately! This session provides research-backed strategies to build innovation across your district, with methods to foster curiosity and agility among your teams and beyond. You'll leave equipped with both inspiration and practical tools to lead confidently on your innovation journey, positioning your district at the forefront of educational transformation.

Outcomes:

Understand innovation in today’s world.
Reflect and identify where you/your organization are on the innovation journey.
Learn specific strategies that you can do to move you and/or your organization forward in the innovation journey and experience one of the specific strategies in a simulation.

1:00-2:00 pm

Google Gemini in Education: Insights from Montana Schools and Beyond

Presentation/Discussion
Paul Kozlowitz, IT & Integrations Manager - Montana Digital Academy and President - Montana Educational Technologist Association
Jason Neiffer, Executive Director, Montana Digital Academy
Join us for an in-depth discussion on how Google Gemini is being utilized by educators and administrators in Montana. Discover how the Montana Digital Academy integrates Gemini for enhanced teaching and administration and gain insights from the Montana Educational Technologist Association (META) on statewide adoption trends. Learn why some schools embrace this AI tool while others approach it cautiously. This session offers practical strategies and a forum to discuss opportunities and challenges in implementing cutting-edge AI in education.

Outcomes:

Understand how Google Gemini can be applied to streamline educational administration and enhance teaching practices.
Explore case studies from Montana schools on successful and cautious approaches to AI integration.
Identify actionable strategies and considerations for adopting Google Gemini in your educational context.

2:30-3:30 pm

Empowering Educators through Assessment Literacy: Resources and Learning Opportunities available through the Michigan Assessment Consortium (MAC)

Presentation
Ellen Vorenkemp, Professional Learning Director/Assessment Consultant, Michigan Assessment Consortium
Assessment-literate educators drive student success, and building these skills should be a cornerstone of all educational systems. Join Dr. Ellen Vorenkamp, Professional Learning Director for the MAC, to explore a rich array of resources, including the MAC's Assessment Literacy Standards, as well as their comprehensive catalog of professional learning publications, policy statements, and recordings. Gain practical insights on leveraging MAC programs, services, and resources to support practicing professionals in advancing sound assessment practices.

Outcomes:

Understand the core components of the MAC's Assessment Literacy Standards and their role in fostering effective assessment practices.
Gain familiarity with professional learning resources, policy statements, and recordings offered by the MAC to support educators’ development.
Develop strategies for leveraging MAC programs and services to enhance assessment literacy, driving student success.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Learn About Sponsorship Opportunities