This winter, you may see some familiar fingers around town. Our Transition Campus Life Skills Center students partnered with the Grand Traverse Road Commission to paint a snowplow. Thank you to GTRC and all of the students and staff who lent a helping hand in this project!
When a North Ed School Psychologist, Mollie, reached out to North Ed Foundation about our Student Emergency Resource Fund (SERF), her request was simple: Can we provide groceries to help a family bridge the gap while searching for employment and stable housing?
Thanks to our donors, we provided grocery gift cards—giving the family the immediate breathing room needed to focus on securing a sustainable job.
"This was one of those things that felt very good to be able to give back... by helping the whole child, the whole family," shared Mollie.
Today, that family is thriving with secure housing and ongoing employment. Your generosity offers more than just educational support—it gives families dignity and a fresh start.
Learn more about SERF and donate today.
Our November 2026 SAILOR On Deck is Karmin Olds, Career Tech counselor, who has served North Ed for over seven years. Karmin is recognized for exemplifying the core value of Excellence by providing the highest quality of service and post-secondary planning support for her students, connecting them with opportunities to reach their full potential.
Thanks to her innovative pre-meeting QR code featuring thoughtful intake questions, student sign-ups have surged and meetings are far more efficient—allowing students to maximize their time and leave with clear, actionable pathways for their future.
Thank you, Karmin, for your commitment to North Ed and our community.
Thanks to her innovative pre-meeting QR code featuring thoughtful intake questions, student sign-ups have surged and meetings are far more efficient—allowing students to maximize their time and leave with clear, actionable pathways for their future.
Thank you, Karmin, for your commitment to North Ed and our community.
Looking for a meaningful career with competitive pay, weekends and holidays off, tuition reimbursement, and room to grow? Become a Teacher Assistant!
We have multiple positions open across our center-based programs, starting at $20.29/hour.
Explore North Ed’s benefits and apply today!
November is Family Engagement Month! Families are a child's first and most important teachers. Every song you sing, book you share, and game you play builds vital brain connections for lifelong learning. #MiFamilyEngagement #MiLEAP #EarlyLiteracy #BirthToFive
Family engagement isn't a one-time event; it's an ongoing journey from cradle to career. Research consistently shows that student success—higher attendance, improved reading and math skills, and greater confidence—grows when families and schools build strong, lasting connections.
Today, North Ed hosted over 500 educators from across the region for our annual Regional Staff Development Day, offering a wide range of sessions covering topics such as sustainable formative assessment, cognitive science, technology integration, and evidence-based reporting. Highlighted presentations included keynotes on dyslexia, knowledge-building, and PA 146–aligned structured literacy, from Natalie Wexler and Dr. Devin Kearns.
Special thank you to Renaissance for helping sponsor and organize this event.
Special thank you to Renaissance for helping sponsor and organize this event.
North Ed staff wish you a fun and safe Halloweekend!
Many times, the bridges we build connect students to opportunities, but every so often, we have the chance to connect them with their biggest supporters.
This summer, one of the first recipients of the Kristin Sak Learning Legacy Scholarship was able to meet the Sak family and hear stories of Kristin's influence on countless students and new teachers.
Though our community lost an incredible advocate for student success when Kristin passed away last year, we are honored to help continue her legacy through Academic Scholarships and Teacher Classroom Grants.
Thank you to John, Ellie, and Jake for sharing Kristin with all of us.
Learn more about the Kristin Sak Learning Legacy Fund and donate today.
Students from our Bridgeway and New Horizons programs had a blast practicing their motor skills and bike safety in the beautiful fall weather during Adaptive Physical Education (APE). A huge thank you to Norte and North Ed staff for helping make active outdoor learning accessible for everyone!
As part of North Ed’s strategic plan SAIL (Serving, Achieving, Inspiring, Learning), we accept nominations from staff members and select an employee who embodies one of our core values: Students/Learners First; Relationships; Integrity; Listening; Service; Diversity; Equity; Empathy; and Excellence. This school year, we are spotlighting our SAILORS On Deck each month.
This month, we honor Mimi Kinney, our Transition Coordinator, who has served North Ed for over 28 years. Mimi is recognized for embodying Students/Learners First. Mimi’s nomination details her work “throughout the ISD and with community partners to ensure the transition needs of students are met, as those students prepare for post-secondary living, work and independence. Students participate in innovative learning and work experiences, thanks to Mimi’s advocacy.”
Thank you, Mimi, for your commitment to North Ed and our community!
Shape the future of Bridgeway!
We’re beginning the process of designing the new Bridgeway facility, and we want to hear from you. Join us for a Bridgeway Community Conversation to share your input and help inform our vision. All North Ed staff and community members are welcome!
Date: November 2, 2026
Time: 5 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: 1101 Red Drive, Traverse City
Schedule:
• 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. | Dinner provided
• 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Community Conversation
Seats are limited and registration is required!
Registration Deadline: October 29, 2026
In observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day, we extend our deepest respect to the Anishinaabe people and acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional, ancestral, and contemporary homelands of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. Visit https://www.tadl.org/indigenous to find Indigenous stories and amplify Indigenous voices.
Land Acknowledgement, designed by Dominic Miller:
We stand here on Turtle Island, our precious earth, this beautiful land of Michigan, cherished and maintained for generations by the Anishinaabe people. We wish to recognize those whose traditional land we are gathered upon and today as the land on which the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians have resided for thousands of years. To recognize the land is an expression of gratitude and appreciation to those whose territory you reside on, and a way of honoring Indigenous people who have been living and working on the land from time immemorial (existing since beyond the reach of memory). It is important to understand the long-standing history that has brought us to reside on the land, and seek to understand our place within that history. We give honor to the Anishinaabe people for their continual contributions to the land and society.
Attendance is an important life skill. Being present today helps prepare students for the expectations of the workforce and adulthood. We are working together to build a strong foundation for their future success.
Mental health matters in our schools, homes and community.
From providing the expertise of our school social workers, psychologists and behavior support specialists, to offering Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) training for students and educators, and Employee Assistance Program benefits for North Ed staff, we are committed to supporting mental well-being across our entire region.
From providing the expertise of our school social workers, psychologists and behavior support specialists, to offering Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) training for students and educators, and Employee Assistance Program benefits for North Ed staff, we are committed to supporting mental well-being across our entire region.
A stronger area begins with present students. When our students are in class and engaged, they are preparing to be the future leaders and neighbors of our community. We appreciate your support in this shared effort.
One $500 donation can fill an entire cart with healthy snacks to help students focus on learning for the day. Swipe through to see how that cart can stock one of the five center based student pantries we support at Northwest Education Services. Donate to the North Ed Foundation today to help fill another cart!
School is a place where students build a sense of belonging. When they attend regularly, they develop the friendships and connections that help them feel safe and supported. We want every student to know their seat is waiting for them.
Regular attendance helps students build the routines they need to feel confident in their school day. These small daily habits lead to significant long-term achievements and help students become capable learners.
Every hour in the classroom is a chance for discovery and collaboration. From hands-on science to group discussions, much of the learning process happens in real time. We look forward to seeing our students each day to make the most of these moments.