FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

MDE Awards Nearly $1M in Grants to Districts to Help Students Explore Educator Careers

Program Is Part of Efforts to Address Teacher Shortage

LANSING – The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has selected 23 school districts and charter schools to receive the Future Proud Michigan Educator EXPLORE grant to assist students who are interested in careers in education.

MDE has awarded EXPLORE program grants and EXPLORE staff grants totaling $998,810.

The grant program provides opportunities for students to explore educational careers. EXPLORE staff grants pay for tuition reimbursement for graduates of the program who hope to return to their home district to teach.

“The EXPLORE grants help guide students from early exploration through teacher certification, with systems of support that are rooted in their local communities,” said State Superintendent Dr. Glenn Maleyko. “This is a long-term investment that empowers districts to grow an educator workforce representative of their communities that will continue to meet their local needs.”

Increasing the numbers of certified teachers in areas of shortage is Goal 7 in Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan.

Recipients of the 2026 Future Proud Michigan Educator EXPLORE grants are:

American International Academy 

Cooper Island Academy

Cadillac Area Public Schools

Concord Community Schools

Crestwood School District

Fitzgerald Public Schools

Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools

Hemlock Public School District

Holland City School District

Ida Public School District

Kentwood Public Schools

Lincoln Consolidated School District

Midland Public Schools

Mt. Pleasant City School District

Otsego Public Schools

Parchment School District

Saginaw Township Community Schools

St. Charles Community Schools

Stockbridge Community Schools

Waldron Area Schools

Wayne-Westland Community School District

West Ottawa Public School District

West Village Academy

Districts that are awarded an EXPLORE program grant receive $10,000 per school building to develop and maintain programming for students in grades 6-12 who are interested in teaching careers. MDE will partner with awarded districts by consulting on program design and implementation and providing free curricular resources and professional learning for EXPLORE instructors. Student opportunities may include visiting Michigan’s educator preparation programs, tutoring younger students during summer learning, partnering with a mentor teacher and celebrating college decisions at a Future Educator Signing Day.

Districts awarded EXPLORE staff grants may use funds to support district-employed graduates transitioning from high school to post-secondary educator preparation pathways. Districts will receive reimbursement of up to $10,000 in tuition costs per graduate who is currently undertaking pre-program coursework but has not yet enrolled in a teacher preparation program.

Educators who are interested in learning more about EXPLORE programs, including accessing the free curriculum and professional learning, may visit the EXPLORE webpage or view the #proudMIeducator: Future PME: EXPLORE the Profession video, which highlights various EXPLORE programs across the state.