The new school year is coming–but are students ready to learn?

In just four short weeks, public schools across Michigan will open their doors to a new school year—with new opportunities and challenges for students and staff alike. Tune in this Tuesday for the next Voices of Michigan Education, when we’ll look at what we can all do to ensure that students are ready to hit the ground running—and start their new classes on the right note. We’ll reveal tips and tricks to prevent everything from sleep deprivation to separation anxiety and show you the best way to get older students on track all on their own! VOME airs Tuesday night at 7 p.m. on WJR NewsTalk 760 and on Saturday on Michigan Talk Radio stations across the state.

Tune in to Voices of Michigan Education as we tap the wisdom of new retirees!

Thousands of Michigan teachers and other school employees retired this year–taking with them years of experience and expertise. But before they head off into retirement, several of them stopped by VOME to share their wisdom on what works in the classroom, what they might do differently and what needs to be done to help struggling schools and students. We’ll have some eye-opening conversations about the future of public school employees–and why now is the time to get involved in crafting your own profession. You’ll get a unique perspective on the state of education in Michigan–so tune in Tuesday, July 13th at 7 p.m. on WJR NewsTalk 760.

Tune in tonight when we discuss the”summer slide” and how to prevent it!

Students can lose up to a third of what they’ve learned over the summer—but there are ways to stop the summer slide and they can be a whole lot of fun. Join us tonight, June 8 from 7-8 p.m. on WJR when we hear great ideas from educators across the state, including Michigan’s newest Teacher of the Year. We’ll post some resources you can use with your own students–and we’d love to hear from you here–and on Facebook–about your own tricks of the trade. That’s tonight, on Voices of Michigan Education on WJR, NewsTalk 760.

Listen tomorrow: Michigan schools are going green!

The trend is growing–schools across the state are going green–and it’s saving them plenty of “green” along the way. On Tuesday night’s “Voices of Michigan Education,” we’ll show you the unique ways educators are using eco-friendly initiatives to teach students and protect their local environment. You’ll hear from one of the newest schools to win the “Green Schools” designation, find out what it would take for your school to achieve that honor and learn about grant money and programs available to help you with everything from curriculum to solar energy projects!

“Voices of Michigan Education” airs tomorrow on WJR Newstalk 760 from 7-8 p.m. and on Saturday on stations across the state. See the home page at http://www.mea.org/radio for a complete listing! And as always, let me know what you think–is “going green” in your future?

Wow–Michigan students read 10,000 books!

On our last show, we told you about the Michigan Reads program, where students could earn free Pistons tickets for every five books they read. The response has been overwhelming–kids across the state have been pouring through books! We’ve heard from students at every grade level in schools across Michigan. But the lucky reader who read the 10,000th book got a special prize. So who was it? Read all about it!

And now, we’ve got another way for the students in your life to read their way to winning.
This time it involves the Red Wings!

Technology in the classroom–how do you use it?

On our upcoming Voices of Michigan Education (March 9th on WJR), we are looking at technology in the classroom. We’ll preview some projects from the MACUL student technology showcase and talk to educators about how high tech tools affect student learning. But I’d love to hear from you–how do you use technology in your classroom? What affect does it have? Share your ideas so we can share them on the show!

Resources for Educators & Parents from tonight’s radio show

We have a jam packed show tonight with lots of great ideas, so I thought I would post some links to the resources we talk about. These are FREE and include great stuff for the students in your life to earn (PISTONS TICKETS!)–check them out:

*Michigan Reads: This is a fabulous program that encourages kids to read, read and read! MEA & the Pistons have teamed up–and we’re trying to get to 10,000 books statewide. Check it out: your students can win free Pistons tickets.

*The Electric Company is all new! The show and a new website have been re-energized for a new generation. It’s fun, but it’s built on the same solid research about how kids learn. Share this first link with your students aged 6-9. The second is for educators and parents (with free games and printables for you.) I saw the EC give a presentation recently–it’s really interesting stuff:

*You HAVE to hear Patricia Polacco talk about her struggle to learn to read–did you know she was 14 before she could read a single sentence? I wish I could have met the teacher who helped her figure it all out. She’s an amazing story–and I’m sure he is too. Visit her website to read more.

I’ll have more in the coming days–including some info on how you can set up your own bookmobile like the one you’ll heard about on tonight’s show. Let me know what you think.

And of course, TUNE IN tonight at 7 p.m. on WJR NewsTalk 760 — feedback gratefully accepted!

Kerry

From struggling readers to an old fashioned bookmobile–tomorrow night’s show has it all!

You won’t want to miss tomorrow night’s “Voices of Michigan Education!” Renowned childrens author Patricia Polacco gives a heartwrenching–and heartwarming–interview about her struggle to learn to overcome dyslexia and learn to read…and the teacher who made it all possible. There won’t be a dry eye in the house!

Plus, remember the Electric Company? It might not be exactly the show you recall–it’s all new and it’s geared toward attracting today’s students with a mixture of hip hop music, engaging lessons and current teen stars. If you’ve got a struggling reader or are looking for great parent or teacher resources to help, tune in and hear what they have to say on the show.

And, an old-fashioned bookmobile for modern times. Find out where this unique idea has students running from their homes to get the latest reads…and how YOU can do it where you live!

Tune in tomorrow night at 7pm on WJR, NewsTalk 760–Voices of Michigan Education, covering the issues YOU care about.

Sure, we can teach them to read, but how do we get them to LOVE it?

Are the students in your life bibliophibians or bibliophobians? Do they read because they have to or because they love to? February’s “Voices of Michigan Education” tackles all things reading related–from helpful new resources for struggling readers (remember The Electric Company? They’re all new, and they’re on our show) to what to do to keep older readers engaged and interested in trying new genres to an old-fashioned bookmobile that has today’s students pumped.

But I want to know from you–what do you do to help foster a real love of reading? How do we make kids lifelong readers? Share your tips and tricks–and listen to us talk about them on WJR NewsTalk 760 on February 9th at 7 p.m. We can all learn something along the way!

Behind the scenes: Great conversation, great ideas!

The "voices" from the MEA's first radio show at the WJR. From left to right: Math teacher Kyle Hughes from Clarkston's Math, Science and Technology Academy; Mark Beyer, Director of Communication from Next Energy; Iris Salters, MEA President; Mark Gilman, show host.

What does it take to prepare students for the jobs Michigan needs? Four people from diverse backgrounds sit down to discuss what’s being done now–and what needs to be done in the future. Hear from the high tech business community, a teacher with an innovative program, MEA President Iris Salters and radio host Mark Gilman. Tune in tonight at 9pm to find out what they think…and then join the conversation here to have your voice heard!