News

‘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

Grosse Ile’s Christy Trombetta named a 2021 Online Teacher of the Year

By Michigan Virtual

LANSING, Mich. — Christy Trombetta, of Grosse Ile, 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… Read more

Researcher: Making virtual learning successful requires coordination across a school system

By Michigan Virtual

The article “Researcher: Making virtual learning successful requires coordination across a school system” — originally published by West Virginia Public Broadcasting on July 28, 2021 — features an interview on the West Virginia Morning show in which education reporter… Read more

Building a Foundation for K-12 Virtual Education with Data

By Joseph Freidhoff

This article was originally published in the Detroit News on June 30, 2021. There is no shortage of topics on which we tend to separate into camps. When it comes to education, for instance, maybe you tend to favor… Read more

Muskegon Public Schools is offering a unique hybrid learning plan for fall 2021

By Michigan Virtual

The article “Muskegon Public Schools is offering a unique hybrid learning plan for fall 2021” — originally published in MLive on June 30, 2021 — overviews the unique hybrid learning plan that Muskegon Public Schools is launching in fall… Read more

Effective virtual learning programs can overcome equity barriers, achieve student success

By Michigan Virtual

LANSING, Mich. — Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, about 8%, or 121,900 students, took virtual courses in 2019-2020. While all students and educators were thrust into emergency remote learning for the past year, the recently released Michigan’s K-12 Virtual… Read more

Negaunee Middle School teacher recognized for his innovative teachings in the classroom

By Michigan Virtual

The article “Negaunee Middle School teacher recognized for his innovative teachings in the classroom” — originally published by UP Matters on June 10, 2021 — highlights the recognition of Negaunee middle school teacher, Kyle Saari, who was recently interviewed… Read more

Flexible, personalized models and family engagement key to successful remote learning

By Michigan Virtual

LANSING, Mich. — In a new qualitative study from Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute (MVLRI), educational researchers have found that schools and districts that had already implemented virtual teaching and learning practices fared better in the COVID-19 pandemic than… Read more

OPINION | COVID will change Michigan education long after the pandemic

By Michigan Virtual

The article “OPINION | COVID will change Michigan education long after the pandemic” — originally published by Bridge Magazine on June 3, 2021 — shares the perspective of Chris Harrington, director of the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute, who explores the… Read more

‘Little things’ matter to students, Jackson County principal says – even if it means getting slimed

By Michigan Virtual

The article “’Little things’ matter to students, Jackson County Principal says – even if it means getting slimed” — originally published by MLive on June 2, 2021 — celebrates Ben Gilpin, a principal at Western’s Warner Elementary School. Ben and his… Read more

Fraser teacher discusses importance of personalized learning structures

By Michigan Virtual

The article “Fraser teacher discusses importance of personalized learning structures” — originally published by C&G Newspapers on May 29, 2021 — celebrates Tanya Leon, an English teacher at Richards Middle School in Fraser Public Schools, and her dedication to… Read more

Local English teacher recognized on the BRIGHT podcast for her commitment to personalized learning

By Michigan Virtual

The article “Local English teacher recognized for her commitment to personalized learning” — originally published by the Macomb Daily on April 20, 2021 — celebrates the innovative teaching style of Tanya Leon, an English teacher at Richards Middle School in… Read more

Flint’s “Lighted Schoolhouse” model recognized on the BRIGHT podcast

By Michigan Virtual

The article “Flint’s “Lighted Schoolhouse” model recognized” — originally published by the ABC 12 News on May 12, 2021 — highlights the innovative work of the Flint Community Education Initiative (Flint CEI) & its “lighted schoolhouse” model that has historic roots… Read more

RFQ: Middle School Course Creation

By Michigan Virtual

I. Introduction Michigan Virtual is releasing this Request for Quote as a means to create middle school content to meet Michigan education standards. By releasing this RFQ, Michigan Virtual makes no guarantee of any awards of work to any… Read more

Statewide collaboration to provide free professional development to teachers

By Michigan Virtual

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Virtual, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan join together in a statewide collaboration to provide online professional learning modules for Michigan’s teachers. The goal is to outline current research and best practices for… Read more

$100,000 grant for Michigan schools to expand state SEL and mental health offering for students and parents

By Michigan Virtual

LANSING, Mich. — At a time when children’s mental health is paramount, schools now have an opportunity to utilize expanded online services and functionality building upon a free statewide social-emotional learning (SEL) program launched earlier this year. The new… Read more