LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Virtual announced today a new partnership with the AI Education Project (aiEDU) to position Michigan for successful innovation opportunities within the AI in education space. This collaboration will accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) literacy and AI readiness across Michigan’s K–12 schools by expanding support for educators and leveraging the state’s existing network of instructional and educational technology coaches.

“Artificial intelligence is reshaping our world — and our classrooms. Michigan has a unique opportunity to lead,” said Jamey Fitzpatrick, President and CEO of Michigan Virtual. “By partnering with aiEDU, we’re not only empowering educators to understand and teach AI, but also building sustainable leadership capacity to scale this knowledge across Michigan.”

This strategic collaboration begins with a Train-the-Trainer initiative —  a year-long program running from June 2025 through June 2026, designed to cultivate a core group of 50 Michigan educators as AI education leaders in their regions and districts. These trainers will be equipped to deliver foundational AI literacy training to colleagues, ultimately scaling impact and fostering equitable access to AI education for students statewide.

Participants in the Train-the-Trainer initiative will engage in virtual professional learning sessions, organized into two supportive cohorts. Educators will earn State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) while developing hands-on skills and pedagogical strategies to introduce students to the principles and implications of artificial intelligence.

“Educators are the change agents our students need; they’re absolutely critical to building a world where every student can live, work, and thrive in a world where AI is everywhere,” said Alex Kotran, CEO of aiEDU. “This partnership with Michigan Virtual taps into a strong professional ecosystem to ensure every Michigan learner has the opportunity to understand and shape the future of AI.”

“This partnership represents the kind of forward-thinking collaboration our education system needs,” said Tiffany Taylor, board member for both Michigan Virtual and aiEDU. “I’ve seen firsthand how each organization champions innovation and equity in learning. Together, they are equipping educators with the tools and confidence to prepare students for a future shaped by artificial intelligence — ensuring every learner has the opportunity to thrive in an AI-powered world.”

In addition to robust training, Michigan Virtual and aiEDU will provide open-access curricular resources to help teachers across all subject areas integrate AI literacy into their instruction. These materials are designed to be easily accessible, available to all types of learners, and aligned with Michigan Virtual’s AI Framework for Schools as well as national guidance on AI education.

This initiative builds on both organizations’ shared mission to ensure every student, regardless of background or zip code, is prepared to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world.

To learn more about the Train-the-Trainer program or to access free AI resources, visit: https://michiganvirtual.org/ai/ or aiEDU’s resource hub.

This article was originally published in the Boyne Citizen on May 16, 2025.
By Jamie Baumann, jamie@boynecitizen.com

Planning was a focus of the Boyne City School Board meeting on Monday night. The board has been in the process of revising the strategic plan since fall and will have a final version for approval at the June meeting. The plan will be approved for the 2025-2026 school year only. 

In addition, consultant Lisa Sitkins, president and CEO of LSS Connections and Consulting, who was representing Michigan Virtual, will be working with the district on a process involving school and community stakeholders to define a “Portrait of a Graduate.”

Through community surveys and community and staff meetings, the goal will be to articulate a list of five or six competencies that all Boyne City High School graduates should possess in order to succeed in life beyond high school, whether that be working in the community, working in a technical career, or studying at a university. 

According to Sitkins, the Portrait of a Graduate establishes a shared mission for a community, which is important when tough issues and decisions are to be made. Board members can look back at the mission to guide their thinking. It builds essential skills and competencies like collaboration skills or critical thinking into the curriculum, looking at necessary competencies beyond passing standardized tests.

The Portrait of a Graduate creates a baseline for what every student should be able to do. The process provides a platform for engaging businesses, organizations, and other stakeholders in meaningful conversations about the future of education in Boyne City and creates community buy-in for the school district’s goals. Along with the strategic plan, Portrait of a Graduate supports continuous improvement. It gives a framework to help with strategic planning and allocation of resources. 

Once the competencies that the board and community decide are most important have been defined, then the district will embed them at appropriate times throughout the Pre-K through 12 curricula. This will ensure that graduates have practiced and possess these competencies. The timeline for the Portrait of a Graduate process should be completed by January 2026.

Superintendent Patrick Little said that he has met with the Boyne City Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Trisha Wilcox and Boyne City Main Street Director Ingrid Day to enlist their help in distributing surveys to the community and finding those who might like to be more involved in the Portrait of a Graduate process.

“The Portrait of a Graduate will reconfirm your vision and mission, have you adapt it, or redefine it to support strategic planning and allocation of resources,” Sitkins said. 

After completing the Portrait of a Graduate, the board will revisit the strategic plan and make any modifications necessary based on that work. It will then become a multi-year strategic plan. 

Want to bring this level of clarity and community alignment to your district?

Michigan Virtual’s experienced consultants are ready to help you co-create a Portrait of a Graduate that unites your staff, students, families, and local stakeholders around a shared vision for the future. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to complement your strategic planning efforts, we can guide your team every step of the way.

Let’s build your district’s north star together.

LANSING, Mich. — This summer, educators and innovators from across Michigan are invited to gather for the fourth annual Michigan EdTech Innovation Bootcamp and pitch contest, where participants will develop their skills, ideas, and classroom innovations. 

Educators from across the state will come together between June 17-19 to discuss business ideas that will improve teaching or learning through the use of technology, culminating in a pitch contest on June 26th for five selected finalists. There is no cost to attend, and educators will earn up to 20 SCECH credits for their participation in the full bootcamp. Applications, open from April 14-May 26, serve as submissions for the pitch contest and EdTech Innovation Bootcamp. 

The bootcamp will allow educators to explore and develop a business model for their idea or business while developing skills and identifying resources to grow their business and positively impact teaching and learning. The Bootcamp is organized by Michigan Virtual with support from Spartan Innovations and the Michigan Small Business Development Center. 

“As technology develops and innovation expands, so too must our educators. It is our responsibility to stay ahead of the curve so our students and our schools can prepare families for any future,” said Jamey Fitzpatrick, President and CEO of Michigan Virtual. “Educators know their challenges first-hand and have many ideas to address them.  Education technology provides innovative ways to get there. The EdTech Innovation Bootcamp connects these to support real change within our classrooms.”

The Bootcamp precedes the Michigan EdTech Innovation Pitch Contest, which will be taking place on June 26, 2025. Last year, $22,000 in prizes were awarded to first, second and third place winners to develop their business proposals. 

To learn more and register for the upcoming Bootcamp and Pitch Contest, visit michiganvirtual.org/edtechcatalyst. 

LANSING, Mich. — This summer, educators and innovators from across Michigan are invited to gather for the fourth annual Michigan EdTech Innovation Bootcamp and pitch contest, where participants will develop their skills, ideas, and classroom innovations. 

Educators from across the state will come together between June 17-19 to discuss business ideas that will improve teaching or learning through the use of technology, culminating in a pitch contest on June 26th for five selected finalists. There is no cost to attend, and educators will earn up to 20 SCECH credits for their participation in the full bootcamp. Applications, open from April 14-May 26, serve as submissions for the pitch contest and EdTech Innovation Bootcamp. 

The bootcamp will allow educators to explore and develop a business model for their idea or business while developing skills and identifying resources to grow their business and positively impact teaching and learning. The Bootcamp is organized by Michigan Virtual with support from Spartan Innovations and the Michigan Small Business Development Center. 

“As technology develops and innovation expands, so too must our educators. It is our responsibility to stay ahead of the curve so our students and our schools can prepare families for any future,” said Jamey Fitzpatrick, President and CEO of Michigan Virtual. “Educators know their challenges first-hand and have many ideas to address them.  Education technology provides innovative ways to get there. The EdTech Innovation Bootcamp connects these to support real change within our classrooms.”

The Bootcamp precedes the Michigan EdTech Innovation Pitch Contest, which will be taking place on June 26, 2025. Last year, $22,000 in prizes were awarded to first, second and third place winners to develop their business proposals. 

To learn more and register for the upcoming Bootcamp and Pitch Contest, visit michiganvirtual.org/edtech-pitch-contest. 

LANSING, Mich. – To support early-stage education technology startups, the Michigan State University Research Foundation and Michigan Virtual have announced a strategic partnership to launch the 10-week intensive program, Conquer EdTech Accelerator powered by Michigan Virtual in Fall 2025.

“Michigan has a strong foundation in both education and innovation, and this accelerator will connect promising edtech startups with the resources, expertise, and support needed to drive meaningful impact in classrooms,” said Jamey Fitzpatrick, President and CEO at Michigan Virtual. “Through this partnership with MSU Research Foundation, we are strengthening Michigan’s position as a leader in education technology and supporting the next generation of edtech entrepreneurs.”

 Too often, entrepreneurs face limited resources for scaling solutions for innovative K-12 education technology tools. By providing hands-on business training, mentorship, and milestone-based investment, the Conquer EdTech Accelerator fills a crucial gap in the development cycle of new education-focused businesses.

Participating startups will gain access to up to $20,000 in milestone-based investment from Red Cedar Ventures, as well as expert-led training in areas such as business formation, customer discovery, market analysis, intellectual property management, regulatory considerations, and federal grant opportunities. In addition to funding, teams will benefit from one-on-one mentorship, workspace, and connections to a network of industry experts and investors.

“The Conquer Accelerator program has a proven track record of developing high-growth startups, and expanding into the education technology sector is a natural next step,” said Tom Stewart, Director of Venture Programming at the MSU Research Foundation. “By leveraging Michigan Virtual’s deep expertise in K-12 education and our experience supporting emerging businesses, we are creating a program that will drive real innovation in edtech.”

The Conquer EdTech Accelerator expands MSU Research Foundation’s existing Conquer Accelerator Programs, which include similar entrepreneur support for the Health Tech, Finance and Insurance Tech, Research, and other early-stage startups across Michigan. The successful MSU Research Foundation Conquer Accelerator programs hold great promise for entrepreneurs with a $5 million portfolio in 2023, 78% still operating today, and an average $45 raised for every $1 invested.

The launch of the Conquer EdTech Accelerator reflects Michigan Virtual and MSU Research Foundation’s shared commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and advancing digital learning solutions. More details, including application information and program leadership, will be announced in the coming months. For details on the Conquer Edtech Accelerator, visit michiganvirtual.org/edtechcatalyst/conquer.

LANSING, Mich. – To celebrate National AI Literacy Day, Michigan Virtual is hosting an online webinar on Friday, March 28 at 11 a.m. for educators and parents to learn more about how to navigate the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence within schools. Parents and teachers are encouraged to register to attend for free.

“Given how quickly AI is evolving and the likelihood that today’s students will need to understand its implications for their role in the future workforce, we’re proud to be able to share important information about it with parents and educators,” said Justin Bruno, AI Learning Strategist at Michigan Virtual. “It’s important for communities across Michigan to be supported with a solid and safe foundation in AI literacy and know that their schools are being supported by Michigan Virtual and our partners.”

In December 2024, the Michigan Department of Education endorsed Michigan Virtual’s resources for AI guidance to schools in Michigan. The webinar will provide an overview on AI literacy efforts in K-12 education and presenters will also provide an in-depth look at how a number of Michigan schools and organizations have led AI literacy work, including AI-enhanced instructional practices, professional learning delivery, student-driven AI policy development, and community stakeholder engagement, in partnership with Michigan Virtual’s expertise and guidance.

The following Michigan educational leaders will present during the webinar:

• Michelle Gierman, Artificial Intelligence Consultant, Avondale School District
• Andrea Zellner, Learning Design Consultant, Oakland Schools
• Dave Tebo, Director of Innovation Services, Ottawa Area ISD

National AI Literacy Day, coordinated by the EDSAFE AI Alliance in partnership with aiEDU, is a nationwide day of action inviting students, parents, educators, and community members to explore the fundamental question, “What is AI?” Michigan Virtual’s webinar joins a series of events hosted across the nation to promote AI literacy through education. The EDSAFE AI Alliance is a global initiative led by InnovateEDU and powered by a coalition of organizations to provide global leadership for developing a safer, more secure, more equitable, and more trusted AI education ecosystem through a focus on research, policy, and practice. 

Michigan parents, educators, and other community members can register here to attend the March 28 webinar. To learn more about Michigan Virtual’s AI Lab, visit michiganvirtual.org/AI.

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Virtual has partnered with TRAILS (Transforming Research into Action to Improve the Lives of Students) to expand its Michigan Cares support menu for schools statewide. This collaboration, which began in December 2024, provides access to mental health programming grounded in evidence-based cognitive behavioral principles at no cost to all Michigan public schools through state funding received by TRAILS.

The TRAILS curriculum and educator training addresses critical developmental needs by helping students build essential life skills including empathy, self-awareness, and respect. Through carefully designed classroom lessons, educators can guide students in developing crucial abilities like emotional management, responsible decision-making, and healthy relationship building.

“This partnership represents a significant step forward in making high-quality mental health resources accessible to every Michigan school,” said Angela Shields, MI Cares Program Manager at Michigan Virtual. “By integrating TRAILS’ proven curriculum into our Michigan Cares collection of services for schools, we’re empowering educators with the tools they need to support student well-being.”

TRAILS expands access to youth mental health services in schools by training and equipping staff to deliver and sustain effective programming. Launched in 2013 as a research project within the University of Michigan Medical School, TRAILS is now an independent 501(c)(3) offering three tiers of mental health support for students. Key features of the TRAILS curriculum include:

• Flexible, educator-friendly lessons requiring minimal preparation time
• Inclusive design accommodating varied learning needs
• Bilingual resources with handouts and caregiver letters in English and Spanish
• Comprehensive training and support for teaching staff

The partnership, which extends through December 2026, aims to ensure all Michigan schools are aware of and can access these valuable resources through their local ISD or RESA. This access to evidence-based support is vital for schools as mental health support for students continues to remain a critical need. In 2024, 13.5% of Michigan children ages 3-17 reported or were diagnosed with anxiety or depression. Michigan Virtual currently serves over 99% of ISDs and Local School Districts with professional learning services. 

In 2020, the State of Michigan funded the creation of the Michigan Cares program to offer educators and families — children, teachers, and parents alike — free digital lessons focused on developing mental well-being, and overall social and emotional skills. The resources help students develop healthy human skills to help navigate life both in and beyond the classroom — such as stress management, emotional self-care, developing healthy coping techniques, feeling and showing empathy, and getting along and working with others. The lessons also provide teacher self-care courses to support educators as well.

Learn about the full suite of offerings available to schools, including TRAILS, such as mental health, suicide prevention, classroom support, and online educator training, through Michigan Cares at michiganvirtual.org/michigan-cares.

Michigan Virtual unveils bold 2025-2030 Strategic Plan for transforming education

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Virtual, a leader in learning innovations, is sharing key tips for educators and schools to build off its new 2025-2030 Strategic Plan. This ambitious plan emphasizes three strategic priorities: driving educational change, broadening student pathways, and powering professional learning. These efforts aim to address Michigan’s urgent need for educational talent development and provide innovative, technology-driven learning solutions for students and educators alike. To support both students and educators, schools should look to:

1. Adopt New Learning Models: Schools should explore innovative educational models like virtual internships and project-based learning to meet diverse needs.
2. Expand Career Pathways: Focus on integrating flexible, real-world learning experiences to prepare students for life beyond school.
3. Prioritize Professional Development: Invest in flexible learning opportunities to stay current with trends in education technology.
4. Foster Collaborative Networks: Engage with partners such as Michigan Virtual to introduce and scale system-wide transformations.
5. Leverage Technology: Use AI and other tech tools to create personalized, high-touch learning environments that enhance student engagement.

“As Michigan Virtual planned for the future, we engaged with school and district leaders who emphasized the need for a trusted partner in navigating educational innovations,” said Michigan Virtual President & CEO Jamey Fitzpatrick. “Our goal is to help schools ensure the best possible outcomes for their students while supporting their teams with the latest in curriculum innovations, industry standards, and professional development.”

To support the feedback Michigan Virtual received from stakeholders, the new strategic plan outlines key objectives over the next five years designed to help Michigan educators and schools meet the needs of a changing educational and technology landscape. These objectives include partnering with at least 400 learning communities to test, adopt, or scale new educational models; expanding college and career readiness enrollments from 4,000 to 8,000 or more annually, including launching at least 15 new student-facing educational offerings or services; and doubling provided training hours from 750,000 to 1.5 million to meet the state’s growing need for highly skilled educators.

Michigan Virtual will be working with schools and districts to implement these new priorities. For more information on Michigan Virtual’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, visit michiganvirtual.org/strategic-planning. 

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Cindy Gardner of Albion, Michigan, was named the 2024 Online Mentor of the Year – a distinction given to a Michigan Virtual mentor who has demonstrated excellence in teaching and enhanced student success in the online classroom.

“Michigan Virtual students work with highly talented and dedicated mentors who have a passion for helping students succeed academically, mentally, and socially,” said Jamey Fitzpatrick, President and CEO of Michigan Virtual. “Cindy first became a mentor in the fall of 2022 and has proven, through her deep concern for our individual students, that whole child education helps students flourish.”

Gardner began with Bellevue Community Schools in 2021 as a guest teacher. In her work serving as a Michigan Virtual mentor, Gardner focuses on helping students succeed and learn the academic skills to become self-directed learners.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She also founded and operates a non-profit foundation that tailors pathways to success for young scholars and their families. 

“I am truly honored to have received this distinguished award, ” Gardner said. “My main goal each year is to motivate, empower, and ultimately celebrate the daily successes of these young scholars.”

“Cindy Gardner has been a very positive mentor for our students,” said Amy Tesolin, science instructor for Michigan Virtual, “She always communicates in a clear and supportive way.  She reaches out when there seems to be a discrepancy or question about processes or policies, and she treats instructors with professional courtesy while not discounting the student perspective.  It’s clear she is a kind, caring, and capable educator who models and supports a growth mindset.”

Since its inception in 2015, ten mentors have received the distinction of Michigan Virtual Online Mentor of the Year. Mentors of the Year are nominated by Michigan Virtual instructors who are in regular contact with both students and educators regarding student progress and success.

To be selected for the Mentor of the Year distinction, the mentor must be a positive and proactive communicator with instructors and parents and assist as an ambassador for students to ensure their success. This distinguished award was established to set a bar for excellence and recognize the incredible mentors in the digital learning community. 

Learn more about Michigan Virtual mentors at michiganvirtual.org/mentors.

FENTON, Mich. —Alanna Prieditis of Fenton, Michigan was named the 2024 Online Teacher of the Year – an award given to a Michigan Virtual online instructor who has demonstrated excellence in the classroom and positively impacted students.

Prieditis began her teaching career in 2006 teaching junior and senior high school Spanish and English in the Mt. Morris school district.  She joined Michigan Virtual as a part-time instructor in 2012, moving to full-time in the summer of 2013.  Alanna became one of the lead World Language instructors in January 2018.  According to Alanna, “The notion of learning and helping students realize potential in themselves while discovering, connecting, and thinking bigger and beyond what they thought they could be” is what keeps her teaching and learning.  

“Online learning is not stagnant; it’s always evolving, improving, and adjusting.  Students need different levels of support in their learning; maybe just a text, maybe a phone call, maybe a non-urgent email, and sometimes a video call to screen share their work: it all works how they need it with online learning,” said Prieditis. 

Prieditis was nominated by educators she supports in Michigan school districts based on her strong record of success for students and support for other educators.  

“Alanna has been amazing at accommodating our students. She has gone above and beyond to make sure they have every opportunity to be successful. She responds promptly with genuine care and concern for the student.,” said Brian Sackett of Holland High School. “I can’t thank her enough for her patience and generosity.”

“Helping students is what drives Alanna to provide exceptional service,” said Jamey Fitzpatrick, President and CEO of Michigan Virtual. “We’ve got a special person here who just goes above and beyond. Alanna is an innovative and supportive leader, and we are thrilled to honor her with this award!”

Since the inception of the awards in 2009, Michigan Virtual has honored 18 teachers with the distinction of Michigan Virtual Online Teacher of the Year. To be selected for the Teacher of the Year distinction, key criteria include a positive impact on students, continuous improvement of practice, and a vision for the future of online education. This distinguished award was created to set a bar for excellence and recognize the incredible teachers in the digital learning community.