Yesterday, educators from across the region gathered for our annual Regional Staff Development Day, gaining new insight and tools for supporting students and improving outcomes. Thank you to our distinguished presenters, Dr. Shelley Moore, Dr. Dylan Wiliam, Dr. Lori Desautels and Dr. John Hattie.
Watch Jon Zawodny, Director of Children and Youth Ministry at Lake Ann United Methodist Church share his Great Start Collaborative (GSC) Story.
Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition Traverse Bay 32P funding is essential to the coordinated and strategic efforts supporting young children and families in the counties of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau. Without sustained investment, many high-impact initiatives-and systems that connect them are at risk.
We're not giving up, but we can’t do it alone. Help us save GSC across Michigan. Learn more and share your GSC Story.
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.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with stories that ignite your kiddo’s curiosity and imagination. Explore the Traverse Area District Library’s curated collection of books for National Hispanic Heritage Month. https://catalog.tadl.org/main/view_list?list_id=67872&page=0&sort_by=pubdate.descending
Amy is one of our dedicated physical therapists, who loves working with students to ensure they can fully participate in the school day alongside their peers. This includes everything from helping them navigate the playground during recess to making sure they can join field trips and gym class.
When asked about her favorite part of the job, Amy said, "I enjoy seeing their classmates assisting with the adaptive equipment and laughing together." This highlights a core belief that drives her work: physical therapy can remove barriers and create a sense of unity and empowerment for all students. By providing a path for access where there were once barriers, Amy helps foster a more inclusive environment for everyone.
To Amy, North Ed’s philosophy is simple yet powerful: Students first! This approach is evident in her daily interactions and unwavering dedication to her students' success and well-being.
Thank you, Amy, for supporting education. https://rebrand.ly/SupportEd
Lauren's passion lies in empowering families and strengthening early childhood systems. As the Family Liaison of the Great Start Collaborative and Family Coalition of Traverse Bay, Lauren is dedicated to elevating parent voices and ensuring families are heard. Her role is all about building connections: listening to needs, providing valuable resources and coordinating accessible programs with a wide network of community partners. You'll often find her at local playgroups and events, meeting families right where they are to offer support and inclusion.
Lauren's work profoundly impacts students and the community by ensuring families – especially those with young children – feel supported, informed and empowered. By connecting families to the right resources and building strong relationships, she helps create a more inclusive, responsive and streamlined support system that lays the foundation for long-term success for children and strengthens the community as a whole.
When asked what she loves about North Ed, Lauren shared, "It’s inspiring to work alongside others who are just as committed to helping build the next generation of curious, compassionate, lifelong learners."
Thank you, Lauren, for supporting education. #SupportEd #HereForAllMiStudents #MichiganISDs #MichiganLiteracy
