Members of Project IMPACT, from left to right, Drs. Glinda Rawls, Dini Metro-Roland, Kerry Hegele, Rena VanDerwall, Allison Hart-Young, Kristal Ehrhardt, Kwangmin Lee and Olivia Ngadjui. (not pictured: Dr. Wayne "Rusty" Stitt)
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Partnering with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), Western Michigan University faculty have been awarded a $425,000 grant to support educator mentoring and induction programs through Project IMPACT (Induction & Mentoring Programs for Administrators, Counselors, and Teachers). Faculty will create curricula, professional development and standards to be used by mentors on new administrators, counselors and teachers in schools.
"This project will help mentor educators (administrators, counselors and teachers) allowing for their longevity with ongoing support to do their best at their jobs," says Dr. Olivia T. Ngadjui, assistant professor and member of Project IMPACT.
According to State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice, WMU was chosen to receive the grant for its extensive expertise in developing programs for all three groups of educators supported by this grant.
"Local school districts in Michigan will benefit from this expertise as they search for high-quality educators," says Rice.
According to Dr. Kristal Ehrhardt, associate dean of the College of Education and Human Development and Project IMPACT member, most induction and mentoring programs have been limited to teachers in the classroom. However, the project is expanding new programs to include other professionals within the school to provide a better support system for students.
"Everyone interacting with students is considered an educator alongside our teachers who facilitate instructions. Including both administrators and counselors allows us to ensure that everyone who interacts with students and their families are able to provide quality care and support," says Ngadjui.
According to MDE, the resources developed under Project IMPACT are anticipated to be available to Michigan school districts in the 2024-25 academic school year.
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