We are thrilled to announce a formal partnership between North Ed Career Tech and Kettering University to expand career and postsecondary pathways. As part of this new agreement, Kettering has established a $25,000 annual scholarship specifically for eligible Career Tech students who enroll at Kettering.

This partnership reflects our shared commitment to workforce preparation and providing students with the resources they need to succeed in high-tech industries. A huge thank you to Kettering’s Matt Fortescue and Dr. Rob Kniss, and longtime Career Tech champion and Kettering alum Al Jordan, for joining us to celebrate this milestone. We are proud to see more doors opening for our local students!

Learn more about this exciting new opportunity: https://www.northwested.org/article/2760979
about 2 months ago, North Ed News
Dr. Rob Kniss, Matt Fortescue and Pat Lamb speaking before North Ed Career Tech students.
Pat Lamb and Dr. Rob Kniss posing while shaking hands in front of Memorandum of Understanding.
Pat Lamb, Al Jordan, Dr. Rob Kniss and Matt Fortescue posing in front of Memorandum of Understanding.
We’re seeking nominations for the 2026 Outstanding Educator Awards! Learn more about how to nominate the teacher, support staffer or administrator who’s making a difference in your school! https://rebrand.ly/2026oea
about 2 months ago, North Ed News
2026 Outstanding Educators. Nominate today. Deadline: Friday, April 10, 2026. Traverse Connect. Northwest Education Services. TBA Credit Union.
Congratulations to our North Ed Career Tech Graphic Arts students for their outstanding achievements in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards!

Alex Dunn (Greenspire High School) earned a Gold Key for Drawing, Emily Haas (TC Central High School) received a Silver Key for Drawing, and Noah Bailey (TC West Senior High School) was recognized with both a Gold Key for Photography and an Honorable Mention.

Founded in 1923 and administered by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, the Scholastic Awards are the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious program celebrating creative teens in grades 7–12. Students can earn regional and national honors, scholarships, and opportunities for exhibition and publication across 29 categories, from photography and painting to poetry and journalism.

Regionally sponsored by the Gwen Frostic School of Art, this program has helped launch the early careers of iconic creatives such as Andy Warhol, Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote, and Amanda Gorman.

We’re incredibly proud of Alex, Emily, and Noah for representing North Ed and showcasing the power of young creative voices. Thank you instructor Rebecca Kinnee for facilitating these amazing opportunities for our Career Tech students!

Learn more about Graphic Arts https://www.northwested.org/o/ct/page/graphic-arts
2 months ago, North Ed News
Graphic Arts Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Regional Winners. Alex Dunn, Greenspire High School, 11th Grade, Gold Key for Drawing. Emily Haas, TC Central High School, 11th Grade, Silver Key for Drawing. Noah Bailey, TC West Senior High, 12th Grade, Honorable Mention and Gold Key Photography. CTE Month. Northwest Education Services Career Tech.
Precision Machining students dive into hands-on learning in the machine tool industry, building valuable technical skills through practical shop math, blueprint reading, measurement and inspection, CAD/CAM/CNC technology, and the safe use of machinery and tools. With manufacturing on the rise, this program prepares students for in-demand careers in a growing field.

Learn more about our Precision Machining program. https://www.northwested.org/o/ct/page/precision-machining
2 months ago, North Ed News
CTE Month. Northwest Education Services Career Tech.
Writers Studio is a two-year program that covers a wide range of genres, including poetry, creative nonfiction, playwriting, journalism, professional letters, rhetoric, audio storytelling, and fiction. With close connections to media outlets and organizations such as the National Writers Series, students receive direct instruction from world-renowned authors and journalists while gaining access to real-world professional opportunities.
Now offered as an AP Language and Composition course, Writers Studio helps students sharpen their craft, strengthen critical thinking and prepare for college and beyond.
Learn more about North Ed Career Tech’s Writers Studio program. https://www.northwested.org/o/ct/page/writers-studio
2 months ago, North Ed News
CTE Month. Northwest Education Services Career Tech.
Help North Ed raise funds for Special Olympics of Michigan. Take the plunge with us on Saturday, March 21 at Short’s Brewing Co.’s Elk Rapids Pull Barn. To join our Plunge Team or donate, visit https://www.classy.org/team/788634
2 months ago, North Ed News
Join the North Ed Plunge Team
In our Web and App Development program, students design and create websites from scratch using HTML5, JavaScript, jQuery and CSS, while also developing simple 2D animations and games with Python. With hands-on projects and real-world skills, this program is perfect for future web developers, designers and game creators.

Learn more about North Ed Career Tech’s Web and App Development program. https://www.northwested.org/o/ct/page/web-app-development
2 months ago, North Ed News
Web and App Development student working on code
In our Robotics and Automation program, students explore modern manufacturing, mechatronics and the technology that powers today’s industries by integrating mechanical, electrical and software systems. Through hands-on learning with CAD, CNC machining, rapid prototyping, fluid power and electrical circuits, they gain real-world skills for in-demand careers.

From systems integration to fabrication techniques — and even competing in the National Robotics Challenge — students put their knowledge to the test while earning up to 6 college credits.

Learn more about North Ed Career Tech’s Robotics and Automation program. https://www.northwested.org/o/ct/page/robotics-automation
2 months ago, North Ed News
CTE Month. Northwest Education Services Career Tech.
A team of two students from our Film & New Media program are winners of the All-American High School Film Festival Pitch Contest. Riley Bockhol and Stuart Nottke created a short video, “Finding You Again”, pitching their idea for a short film they would like to create for the All-American High School Film Fest. Riley and Stuart's pitch was chosen based on its creativity, storytelling and ambition.

As winners, they will receive a professional camera kit, which they will use to create their film that will air at the film festival held in New York City this October. Congratulations to instructor Zac Wendland and his students on receiving this outstanding opportunity!

Watch Riley and Stuart’s winning submission: youtube.com/watch?si=Zr69BZHj7pVLG6R4&v=SVH6RuJxn1c&feature=youtu.be

Learn more about our Film & New Media program: https://www.northwested.org/o/ct/page/film-new-media
3 months ago, North Ed News
CTE Month. Northwest Education Services Career Tech.
Built into every Career Tech program are general education credits and practical learning in technical reading, writing and math, along with career preparation skills like developing resumes, portfolios and presentations, preparing for job interviews and using the latest technologies.
These real-world tools support students’ futures and everyday life — all while earning valuable general education credits!
To learn more, visit https://www.northwested.org/o/ct
3 months ago, North Ed News
CTE Month. Northwest Education Services Career Tech.
North Ed is committed to student success at Career Tech and beyond!

Each year, we award tens of thousands of dollars in Academic Scholarships and Tools of the Trade Awards to support students’ next steps. Through partnerships with leading colleges and universities, Career Tech students also have access to exclusive post-secondary scholarships and credit opportunities.

Don't miss out! For more information on scholarships and how to apply, visit https://www.northwested.org/o/ct/page/scholarships
3 months ago, North Ed News
Image of two North Ed Career Tech scholarship recipients
As a testament to his outstanding work and commitment to excellence in education, North Ed Career Tech Aviation Maintenance instructor Scott O'Dell was recently honored as the Michigan Association of Career and Technical Education (MI ACTE) New Teacher of the Year at the MI Career Education Conference in Grand Rapids. Congratulations to Scott for this incredible accolade! Learn more. https://www.northwested.org/article/2681411
3 months ago, North Ed News
Scott O'Dell, North Ed Career Tech Aviation Instructor, MiACTE New Teacher of the Year
Today kicks off Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month! CTE provides students with academic and technical skills, training and certifications in high-demand jobs that can open doors to unlimited opportunities.
3 months ago, North Ed News
Image of female student in Power Equipment program. Text reads CTE Month, Northwest Education Services Career Tech.
Take the plunge with North Ed to raise money for Special Olympics Michigan! Last year, our team raised over $4,000, and with your help, we can raise even more. To join our Plunge Team or donate, visit https://www.classy.org/team/788634
3 months ago, North Ed News
Help me raise funds for Special Olympics Michigan. Join the North Ed Plunge Team
This year, Santa’s elves were hard at work adapting a series of toys for kids with limited mobility. Our North Ed Assistive Technology department teamed up with Career Tech Electrical Occupations program instructors and students to adapt select toys purchased by community members. The Career Tech students converted the toys to incorporate electrical switches which allow a child to interact with the toy by pushing a large button or controlling a joystick. 25 North Ed families will receive a specially wrapped gift featuring a toy with custom adaptations for their child to make magical holiday memories.

As part of this special project, North Ed Career Tech students created switch adapted bead spinners for students from our New Horizons program. When loaded with clay beads, the spinners land the beads on a wire inserted into the tub of the spinner. The beads were then transferred to elastic string and wrapped around wire Christmas tree frames to make ornaments.
4 months ago, North Ed News
Career Tech and New Horizons students playing with adaptive toys.
Career Tech and New Horizons students playing with adaptive toys.
Christmas tree ornaments created with adaptive toys Career Tech students created.
Career Tech and New Horizons students playing with adaptive toys.
Career Tech and New Horizons students playing with adaptive toys.

All Northwest Education Services programs will be closed Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, due to inclement weather and hazardous road conditions. No in-person or virtual instruction will take place. This closure includes all North Ed Special Education and Career Tech programs.
For more information, including staff guidelines for snow days, please see our School Closings & Alerts webpage:
https://www.northwested.org/page/school-closings-alerts

4 months ago, North Ed News
North Ed instructional programs will be closed Monday, Dec. 22, through Friday, Jan. 2. Have a fun and restful winter break. We look forward to seeing everyone back in school on Jan. 5!
4 months ago, North Ed News
Graphic with a background of thin, snow covered trees, with a square green overlay. Centered text reads “Enjoy Winter Break” in large blue letters, with “Dec. 22 - Jan. 2” in a blue bar below. At the bottom, the Northwest Education Services logo appears.
Congratulations to Pat Lamb and Karmin Olds for being awards finalists at the national Association for Career & Technical Education (ACTE) Career Tech VISION conference! Pat and Karmin recently traveled to Nashville, Tennessee to be recognized among a select group of educational leaders from across the country. During a regional conference covering 14 states and Washington, D.C., in late March, Pat was named ACTE Region 1 Administrator of the Year, and Karmin won ACTE Region 1 Counseling & Career Development Professional of the Year. Both received similar honors at Michigan’s statewide conference in December 2024 before advancing to the regionals, then national ACTE conference held in Nashville. Congratulations to Pat and Karmin for this incredible accolade.
4 months ago, North Ed News
Two adults stand side by side, smiling and holding framed award plaques at the ACTE CareerTech VISION 2025 conference. The person on the left wears a black dress and glasses; the person on the right wears a navy suit with a patterned tie. Behind them is a gray backdrop with “CareerTech VISION 2025” branding and a globe graphic. A blue overlay at the bottom displays the North Ed Career Tech and Northwest Education Services logo.

Each year, Mentor Match Day brings excitement to the North Ed Career Tech Engineering Academy as juniors are paired with professionals from the local design, engineering and business community.

This mentorship program helps students form meaningful connections with industry professionals while developing key communication and workplace skills. Mentors are thoughtfully matched with students based on career goals, hobbies and shared interests. Recently, we hosted a breakfast for the junior class, where 31 students were matched with their mentors.

Every junior in the Engineering Academy participates in the program, which continues through their senior year. Mentorship activities are integrated into English classes, and students meet with their mentors once a month. The program is overseen by dedicated staff who coordinate the annual Mentor Breakfast, manage volunteer forms and prepare mentor journals at the end of the year.

We are deeply grateful to all our volunteer mentors, whose guidance and commitment often play a pivotal role in shaping the students’ future paths. Thank you for making a lasting impact on the next generation of engineers and innovators. Learn more about Engineering Academy.

5 months ago, North Ed News
A wide shot of a large classroom or multi-purpose room set up with multiple dark tables where mentors and students are engaged in various small group conversations. People are seated in green and black chairs throughout the room. The bottom of the image has a blue banner with the Northwest Education Services Career Tech Engineering Academy logo and white text: "MENTOR MATCH DAY 2025.”
A close-up, seated portrait of an adult male mentor wearing a gray sweatshirt and glasses, and a teenage boy with braces wearing a pink/maroon patterned button-up shirt and an ID lanyard. They are smiling and sitting in a classroom with classroom-style cabinets and a buffet of food in the background. The bottom of the image has a blue banner with the Northwest Education Services Career Tech Engineering Academy logo and white text: "MENTOR MATCH DAY 2025.”
A candid shot showing a small group discussion between mentors and students seated at a dark table in a classroom. On the left, an older man with a mustache in a black and white jacket is speaking to a student in a white shirt. At another table, a man in a light blue button-down shirt is gesturing with his hands while talking to a student in a gray shirt. The bottom of the image has a blue banner with the Northwest Education Services Career Tech Engineering Academy logo and white text: "MENTOR MATCH DAY 2025.”
A close-up, seated portrait of an adult male mentor wearing a black polo shirt with an embroidered logo and name badge, and a teenage boy in a tan button-up shirt and glasses. They are smiling and sitting at a dark table in a classroom setting. The bottom of the image has a blue banner with the Northwest Education Services Career Tech Engineering Academy logo and white text: "MENTOR MATCH DAY 2025.”
This Giving Tuesday, help students in our community reach their highest potential!
From scholarships and career preparation, to providing essentials like food, clothing, assistive technology and basic medical care, your gift to the North Ed Foundation makes a real difference for local students and families. Donate today and be part of their success! www.northedfoundation.org
5 months ago, North Ed News
North Ed Foundation graphic promoting Giving Tuesday with an image of a young student wearing a hat smiling on the playground with a slate blue overlay.