Join the North Ed Career Tech Film & New Media students for the 3rd Annual Student Film Festival!
This free event at the Elk Rapids Cinema will showcase original short films created by talented high school filmmakers.
Doors open at 6:00 pm and showtime is 7:00 pm. Tickets are free, and popcorn and refreshments will be available for purchase.
June 11, 2026
Elk Rapids Cinema, 205 River St, Elk Rapids, MI 49629
For more information on the North Ed Career Tech Film and New Media program, visit https://www.northwested.org/o/ct/page/film-new-media
On Monday, we hosted representatives from Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) for a Signing Day, to celebrate approximately 70 students from 12 North Ed Career Tech programs signing articulation agreements. These future-focused students earned articulated credit by completing all course content with a B or better and recommendation by their instructor. Congratulations to our hardworking students, and thank you to NMC for your partnership and for joining us for this special occasion!
Last week, we hosted a signing day for our Agrisicence students who earned the Michigan FFA State Degree and in turn have earned 6 general education credits at Michigan State University (MSU). Thanks to Cristin Hosmer (Program Coordinator for the MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology) who joined us for the signing day and recognized each of our students.
The State Degree is the second highest honor that can be awarded to students in the FFA Organization. North Ed FFA members worked tirelessly to meet the criteria to receive this high honor including; 350 hours or $2,000 in earnings in their SAE (Supervised Agriculture Experience) project, 25 hours of community service, attending five FFA competitions and/or events above the chapter level and also earning both the Greenhand and Chapter FFA Degrees. Help us congratulate the following students recognized at the 98th Michigan FFA State Convention in March during the Michigan FFA State Degree Award Ceremony:
Gretchen (Gee) Arnold, TC High School
Paige Brown, Grand Traverse Academy
Gavin Chile, Elk Rapids High School
Grace Forton, TC Central High School
Ezra Hubbard, Elk Rapids High School
Jack Matchett, TC Central High School
Cohen Reinhardt, Elk Rapids High School
Cora Speer, Northport Public School
Briley Stone, North Central Academy
Nora Wnek, Elk Rapids High School
Every school day until the final bell represents an important step in a student’s progress. We are committed to maintaining a steady learning environment as we move toward the end of the year. Consistent attendance during these final weeks helps students stay engaged with their peers and reinforces the growth they have achieved.
As the school year draws to a close, help us celebrate our fifteen 2026 Retirees, who achieved a combined 307 years of service at North Ed.
Today, we honor Susan Broad for her 33 years of service as a Teacher Assistant.
With high regard, we recognize Sue’s level of professionalism and dedication to her work. Her vast amount of experience has been a steady force in classrooms, creating an environment where students feel supported and connected. Sue brings out the best in others with respect, courtesy and compassion. Team members and students appreciate her genuine spirit and sense of humor. We applaud Sue for her many years of supporting our center programs.
Today, we honor Susan Broad for her 33 years of service as a Teacher Assistant.
With high regard, we recognize Sue’s level of professionalism and dedication to her work. Her vast amount of experience has been a steady force in classrooms, creating an environment where students feel supported and connected. Sue brings out the best in others with respect, courtesy and compassion. Team members and students appreciate her genuine spirit and sense of humor. We applaud Sue for her many years of supporting our center programs.
Every student brings a unique perspective to our classrooms. When a student is not here, their voice is missed. Your presence is valued, and it makes our school community complete. #SuccessStartsWithShowingUp
As the school year draws to a close, help us celebrate our fifteen 2026 Retirees, who achieved a combined 307 years of service at North Ed.
Today, we honor Daniel Bowers for his 26 years of service as a North Ed Career Tech Collision Repair Paraprofessional.
Dan’s dedication to Collision Repair at Career Tech has been a critical part of the success of this program. As a highly skilled technician whose expertise is recognized and respected by our local industry partners, Dan has been a critical driver of our program’s impact. His attention to detail, deep content knowledge and consistent approach has consistently left a lasting impact on students. We appreciate Dan’s contributions and hard work at Career Tech.
Today, we honor Daniel Bowers for his 26 years of service as a North Ed Career Tech Collision Repair Paraprofessional.
Dan’s dedication to Collision Repair at Career Tech has been a critical part of the success of this program. As a highly skilled technician whose expertise is recognized and respected by our local industry partners, Dan has been a critical driver of our program’s impact. His attention to detail, deep content knowledge and consistent approach has consistently left a lasting impact on students. We appreciate Dan’s contributions and hard work at Career Tech.
As the school year draws to a close, help us celebrate our fifteen 2026 Retirees, who achieved a combined 307 years of service at North Ed.
Today, we honor Jennifer Berner for her 24 years of service as a Teacher Consultant.
Jen’s expertise and vast knowledge of special education programming are commendable. She is highly respected by her colleagues as a leader and consummate professional in her role as a consultant. She delivers services for students and local districts, modeling North Ed values while striving for excellence in her professional capacity. Her enthusiasm, combined with natural coaching techniques, provides a resource that is greatly admired and valued. We applaud Jen’s contributions to education.
#HereForAllMiStudents #MichiganISDs
Today, we honor Jennifer Berner for her 24 years of service as a Teacher Consultant.
Jen’s expertise and vast knowledge of special education programming are commendable. She is highly respected by her colleagues as a leader and consummate professional in her role as a consultant. She delivers services for students and local districts, modeling North Ed values while striving for excellence in her professional capacity. Her enthusiasm, combined with natural coaching techniques, provides a resource that is greatly admired and valued. We applaud Jen’s contributions to education.
#HereForAllMiStudents #MichiganISDs
Congratulations to our 2026 Outstanding Educators!
Join us as we recognize the 10 honorees during a community event at 6:30 p.m., June 3 at the City Opera House in Traverse City. Huge thank you to TBA Credit Union and Traverse Connect for their support for this event! Find out who this year's Outstanding Educators are: https://www.northwested.org/article/2908111
As the school year comes to a close, there is so much to celebrate, including Tools of the Trade equipment deliveries! This year, we proudly awarded 61 Career Tech students $57,000 worth of essential tools to launch the next steps in their career. From work boots to power tools, specialized computers and everything in between, these Career Tech students are being set up for long-term success thanks to the generous donations made to the North Ed Foundation Tools of the Trade fund!
Learn more about Tools of the Trade and other North Ed Foundation funds: https://www.northedfoundation.org/o/nef/page/funds
Special thank you to Milwaukee Tools and Maxbauer Ace Hardware, managed by former Career Tech student Collin O'Brien.
We understand that barriers to attendance can arise. Whether it involves transportation, health or other hurdles, our school is here to provide support. If your family is facing challenges with attendance, please reach out to our office so we can help. #SuccessStartsWithShowingUp
Last week, students from our New Horizons and Bridgeway programs experimented with trapeze yoga as Adaptive Physical Education (PE). Thank you to our North Ed staff for their support and Dharamsala TC off Robinwood for facilitating this accessible and enriching experience for our students!
Throughout the year, our Adult Community Experience (ACE) Downtown students participate in various art, cooking and baking projects, leading up to their annual ACE Art Show & Bake Sale. Many of the pieces featured in today’s art show are also on display until May 28 at Art on Union’s Buzz & Bloom Exhibit. Don’t miss your chance to witness the creativity of these talented students!
It was a busy couple of weeks for our Career Tech Public Safety program! Here are some highlights:
At the Northwest Regional Fire Training Center graduation ceremony on May 5, current student, Hayden Jury, graduated from the months-long Firefighter I and II state certification training. The ceremony was also an opportunity to connect with several graduates from the North Ed Public Safety program who are now successfully serving in the firefighting industry.
Recently, Michigan State Police Trooper Matthew Unterbrink from the Traverse City Post visited our Public Safety students to demonstrate the skills of his K9 service dogs, including Lulu, who is trained to sniff out explosive materials.
Four North Ed Public Safety students participated in the NMC Police Academy’s MCOLES Fitness Exit exam. This event occurs at the end of the 16-week academy where NMC students must pass a state mandated physical fitness test in order to graduate with a law enforcement license. The stakes are high for the academy attendees and the Director is gracious enough to allow our students to compete alongside. In preparation for the event, Public Safety students practice the four proctored exercises during the school year. Those events are a vertical leap, situps, pushups, and a half mile shuttle run. The individuals with the best records for the 2025-26 school year were selected to participate, including: Gage Allen-Bint (TC West Senior High), Logan Bredahl (Greenspire High School), Cameron Marcero (TC Central High School), and Gregory Stover (Benzie High School). Thank you to Director Kurowski and test proctors Christine Bussell and Jim Bussell.
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. #SuccessStartsWithShowingUp
The best way to start Teacher Appreciation Day is with a full heart and an even fuller plate! North Ed staff gathered at Career Tech this morning for our annual Staff Appreciation Breakfast. This event was a reminder that North Ed staff don’t only serve students, we serve our fellow educators every day! Thank you to all of the staff who volunteered their time to make this event special and to our Culinary Arts program who created this fantastic feast.
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.
Huge shoutout to our friends at the NMC Nursing program, specifically Program Director Betsy Boris, who generously donated three practice manikins, including software, computer and monitor, as well as four hospital bed side tables to our Career Tech Health Sciences program! These items have been on our wishlist for years and are incredibly expensive. If bought new, this equipment would total around $150,000. We are VERY grateful and this is a game changer for our program!
Yesterday, North Ed Career Tech’s student-led Voices Club hosted their ‘Stories from a Stranger’ gallery. This powerful exhibit paired anonymous student stories of exclusion with original photography to shine a light on the lasting impact of bullying. By turning vulnerability into art, our students are building a culture of empathy and challenging bias one story at a time.
Read more: https://www.northwested.org/article/2860302
Thank you to Common Good Bakery for donating pastries for exhibit guests.
This year's Teddy Bear Clinic was stuffed with amazing experiences for Career Tech and local elementary school students!
North Ed Career Tech Health Sciences program hosted kindergartners and their stuffed animal “patients” visiting from Cherry Knoll, Buckley, Mill Creek, Eastern and Willow Hill elementary schools. The annual clinic aims to reduce children's fears of hospital and doctor visits, making care easier, and possibly even inspiring future medical professionals, by experiencing simulated medical procedures and activities demonstrated by trained Career Tech students, Munson Healthcare staff and first responders from the Traverse City Fire Department.
North Ed Career Tech Health Sciences program hosted kindergartners and their stuffed animal “patients” visiting from Cherry Knoll, Buckley, Mill Creek, Eastern and Willow Hill elementary schools. The annual clinic aims to reduce children's fears of hospital and doctor visits, making care easier, and possibly even inspiring future medical professionals, by experiencing simulated medical procedures and activities demonstrated by trained Career Tech students, Munson Healthcare staff and first responders from the Traverse City Fire Department.
