News

Michigan educators encouraged to submit their Amazon wish list for ‘Clear the List’ campaign

By Michigan Virtual

LANSING, Mich. — As teachers prepare their classrooms for school later this month, educators are encouraged to submit their Amazon wish lists by Labor Day, September 5, for a chance to have their list purchased through a new ‘Clear… Read more

Michigan hosts bootcamp for educators, spurring development of future classroom innovations

By Brandon Bautista

LANSING, Mich. — Teachers from across Michigan gathered virtually last week for the Michigan EdTech Innovation Bootcamp, learning skills to develop their own ideas or businesses for classroom innovation. The Bootcamp was organized by Michigan Virtual with support from… Read more

Michigan school innovation contest awards $20,000 to ideas in STEM, world exploration, and life skills

By Michigan Virtual

LANSING, Mich. — Educators from Stockbridge, Ann Arbor, and Livonia have been chosen as the winners of the Michigan EdTech Innovation Pitch Contest, sharing $20,000 in business startup grants and legal and creative startup assistance. The concepts developed from… Read more

Michigan principal shares his top strategies for starting a therapy dog program in schools   

By Michigan Virtual

HOUGHTON, Mich. — Calumet’s Washington Middle School principal Joel Asiala was featured on a recent statewide series about innovation in Michigan classrooms, the BRIGHT series, for his work creating therapy dog programs in the schools where he has worked,… Read more

Ludington assistant principal shares why starting an esports program at his school helps students thrive   

By Michigan Virtual

LUDINGTON, Mich. — Ludington High School assistant principal Steve Forsberg was featured on a recent statewide series about innovation in Michigan classrooms, the BRIGHT series, for his work launching an esports program that provides opportunities for students who may… Read more

Lake Shore Public Schools media specialist shares her top strategies in the classroom to manage student mental health 

By Michigan Virtual

LANSING, Mich. — Jodie Kleymeer, a media specialist from Lake Shore Public Schools, was featured on a recent statewide series about innovation in Michigan classrooms, the BRIGHT series, for the practices she implements in her classroom to address student… Read more

Five Michigan educators selected as finalists in classroom Innovation Contest

By Michigan Virtual

LANSING, Mich. — Five Michigan educators have been chosen to advance as finalists in the Michigan EdTech Innovation Pitch Contest. Each of the finalists will advance to a pitch presentation on June 22, where first, second, and third place… Read more

Michigan educational innovation contest launched

By Michigan Virtual

$20,000+ and business startup support offered to top three winners LANSING, Mich. — Michigan residents are encouraged to submit their ideas for improving teaching and learning in a new Michigan EdTech Innovation Pitch Contest & Bootcamp. Through a partnership… Read more

RFQ: Information Technology Assessment

By Michigan Virtual

I.  INTRODUCTION Michigan Virtual™ is requesting Quotes for a review and analysis of our technology operations. This audit would consider our organizational goals, job positions, skill sets, and processes and make recommendations for optimization. Not to be included in… Read more

Statement on Gov. Whitmer’s 2022 State of the State 

By Michigan Virtual

LANSING, Mich. — The following statement can be attributed to Jamey Fitzpatrick, President and CEO of Michigan Virtual: “If we’ve learned anything from this pandemic, it’s this: the future success of Michigan’s education system is absolutely dependent on innovation… Read more

International Day of Education gives students, educators opportunity to expand skills

By Michigan Virtual

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan school administrators, educators are encouraged to address issues of equity and inclusion in schools through free programming made possible by a collaboration between Michigan Virtual, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan.  This week… Read more

RFQ: K-12 Learning Assessment Platform

By Michigan Virtual

Revised December 10, 2021 I.  INTRODUCTION Michigan Virtual™ is requesting Quotes for an assessment authoring and distribution platform that delivers assessments seamlessly to users (students and teachers) and is Learning Management System (LMS) and device agnostic. For the purposes… Read more

Michigan organization receives international acclaim for innovation in education during pandemic

By Michigan Virtual

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Virtual, a leading online education provider, has been named a winner of the 2021 Impact Awards by Innovation Leader, an unbiased, independent media and events company focused on helping change-makers in large organizations deliver real… Read more

Education leaders collaborate to offer free inclusive learning support to Michigan teachers

By Michigan Virtual

LANSING, Mich. — Through a partnership between Michigan Virtual, Michigan State University’s College of Education, and the University of Michigan School of Education, Michigan teachers now have free access to newly developed professional learning content that offers current research… Read more

National Online Learning Day: The ins and outs of virtual learning

By Michigan Virtual

The article “National Online Learning Day: The ins and outs of virtual learning” — originally published by WZZM Grand Rapids on September 15, 2021 — features an interview with Dr. Shannon Smith, our senior director of student learning, who… Read more

‘Adolescent Suicide Prevention for Schools and Communities’ online resources now available to educators and communities across Michigan

By Michigan Virtual

This article was published in DBusiness on September 7, 2021, in WJMN on September 8, 2021, and WLNS on September 9, 2021. Courses offered at no cost to school administration, staff, and community members LANSING, Mich. – Blue Cross… Read more

Opinion: Using technology and relationship building to make this school year a success

By Jamey Fitzpatrick

This opinion piece from our president and CEO, Jamey Fitzpatrick, was originally published in the Lansing State Journal on September 1, 2021. Last school year was not easy for our students, parents and teachers — all whom deserve our praise for making… Read more

Michigan schools encouraged to take advantage of free, State-funded social, emotional and mental health program

By Michigan Virtual

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Virtual and Navigate360 are encouraging Michigan schools and districts to implement the state-funded social and emotional learning and mental health resources provided by the Michigan Cares program during the 2021-2022 school year. There are many emotional implications from the stress… Read more

Sara Sibble, of Hamilton, named a 2021 Online Teacher of the Year

By Michigan Virtual

LANSING, Mich. — Sara Sibble, of Hamilton, Mich. has been named a 2021 Michigan Virtual Online Teacher of the Year — an annual distinction given to online instructors who have demonstrated excellence and made a positive impact in the… Read more

Catherine Vila, of Grand Haven, named 2021 Online Mentor of the Year

By Michigan Virtual

LANSING, Mich. — Catherine Vila, of Grand Haven, Mich. has been named the 2021 Michigan Virtual Online Mentor of the Year — an annual distinction given to mentors of online students who have demonstrated excellence and made a positive… Read more