We are very proud to have three exemplary North Ed leaders featured in the Traverse City Record-Eagle 2026 Women’s History Month special section: Dr. Tara Mager, Superintendent; Dr. Yvonne Donohoe McCool, Director of Early Childhood Services; and Marty Guiney, McKinney-Vento Liaison & Special Education Supervisor. It is an honor to have them on our team and we thank them for their work that shapes the future for educators, learners and families in our community. Read the full article.

13 days ago, North Ed News
2026 Women’s History Month. Record Eagle. March 2026. The publication cover image is designed with muted tones of green leaves that fade into the background of the page.
During last week’s historic blizzard, North Ed custodial staff worked all day Tuesday and Wednesday to clear snow from the walkways on all North Ed campuses. For many, that meant shoveling out of their own driveways and neighborhoods when roads were not yet clear and navigating North Ed grounds before our plow service arrived! Thank you for going above and beyond to ensure North Ed students and staff could quickly return to school and safely access our facilities
14 days ago, North Ed News
Thank you custodians. Northwest Education Services. The background photo shows snow levels reaching midway up an entrance door, and snow drifts up to the roofline of a car, nearly covering the car.
Join Great Start Collaborative and Family Coalition of Traverse Bay for free Family Fun Days at YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps! Meet other families in your community while enjoying interactive storytelling and music with Jen Strauss and Miriam Pico, enter a raffle, and more!

Read more:
https://www.northwested.org/article/2762827
25 days ago, North Ed News
Family Fun Days at YMCA Hayo-went-ha Camps. Great Start Collaborative Traverse Bay.
In celebration of Reading Month, join the Great Start Collaborative for interactive storytelling with Jen Strauss at your local Neighborhood Network playgroup sites. Children will receive a bookbag from PoWeR Book Bags, snack and engage in a fun craft project! Learn more https://www.northwested.org/article/2735054
about 1 month ago, North Ed News
Neighborhood Network of Playgroups. March is Reading Month. Storytelling with Jen Strauss. Interlochen Public Library, March 4, 2026, 10:00 am. Glen Lake Community Church, March 10, 2026, 10:00 am. Kalkaska County Library, March 13, 2026, 10:30 am. Lake Ann United Methodist Church, March 20, 2026, 10:00am. Traverse Area District Library (TADL), March 21, 2026, 11:00 am. Leelanau Township Library, March 25, 2026, 10:00 am. Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition Traverse Bay.
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 1 month ago, North Ed News
2026 Outstanding Educators. Nominate today. Deadline: Friday, April 10, 2026. Traverse Connect. Northwest Education Services. TBA Credit Union.
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
2 months ago, North Ed News
Help me raise funds for Special Olympics Michigan. Join the North Ed Plunge Team

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
Today is International Day of People with Disability — a reminder that inclusion, understanding and empathy make our communities stronger. Dive into this list of children’s books that help students Pre-K through 6th grade learn about disability awareness and acceptance. https://www.loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/informational-publications/twenty-books-that-promote-disability-awareness-for-children-pre-k-through-sixth-grade/

#MiLimitlessPotential #MichiganISDs #HereForAllMiStudents
4 months ago, North Ed News
Limitless Potential, The Power of Special Education. International Day of people with Disability. This is How We Talk, A Celebration of Disability and Connection. Illustrated by Kayla Harren, written by Jessica Slice and Caroline Cupp. Northwest Education Services
Today we celebrate Special Education Day and the incredible impact of Northwest Education Services’ special education team.
To our educators, therapists, support staff, families and most of all, our students—thank you for inspiring us, trusting us and reminding us every day of the limitless potential of Special Education.
We’re proud to help build classrooms, communities and opportunities where all students belong, grow and thrive.
4 months ago, North Ed News
Limitless Potential: The Power of Special Education. Special Education Day. #MiLimitlessPotential. Northwest Education Services. Proud to serve over 3,300 Special Education students in our region. Michigan’s Center for Educational Performance and Information, Disability Report for Northwest Education Services, All Districts, All Schools, All Grades, All Students (2024-25).
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
4 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.
North Ed will be closed Thursday, Nov. 27, and Friday, Nov. 28. Enjoy your fall break! We look forward to seeing everyone back in school on Dec. 1!
4 months ago, North Ed News
Graphic with a background of overlapping autumn leaves in shades of yellow, orange, and red. Centered text reads “Enjoy Fall Break” in large blue letters, with “Nov. 27 – 28” in a blue bar below. At the bottom, the Northwest Education Services logo appears.

The North Ed Foundation is now on Facebook! Like and follow their page to stay up to date on Foundation news, student impact, and opportunities to give. https://www.facebook.com/NorthEdFoundation/

4 months ago, North Ed News
Like, follow, share North Ed Foundation on Facebook.

Exciting news! Our Neighborhood Network of Playgroups is growing, adding five new partners and even more free early childhood fun for families across the region. Come grow with us! Learn more.

4 months ago, North Ed News
A promotional graphic features a green-tinted photo of three young children playing outdoors. One child on the left wears a striped shirt, the child in the center has curly hair and wears denim overalls, and the child on the right holds a small cup. Large bold blue and green text at the top reads “NEW PLAYGROUP OPPORTUNITIES.” At the bottom, colorful illustrated houses and trees form a decorative border above the words “GRAND TRAVERSE REGION – Your Neighborhood Network of Playgroups.” To the right is a yellow star logo for the Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition Traverse Bay.
FREE Admission Days at Cognition Science Center!

Cognition is welcoming families with Community Days — offering free admission to residents of surrounding counties on select dates! It’s a great chance for hands-on fun, learning, and exploration for kids and families.

All events run 1–5 PM at 232 N. Michigan Ave, Beulah

Upcoming Dates:
• Nov 16 – Antrim & Kalkaska (This Sunday!)
• Nov 23 – Benzie
• Dec 7 – Leelanau
• Dec 14 – Grand Traverse
• Jan 11 – Manistee
• Jan 18 – Wexford & Missaukee

💬 Just a short feedback form at the end – that’s it!
5 months ago, Lauren Dake
Flyer titled “Community Outreach – Community Days @ Cognition.” It announces free admission days for local residents, hosted by the Cognition Science Center in Beulah. The flyer lists the schedule by county: Nov 16 – Kalkaska & Antrim Nov 23 – Benzie Dec 7 – Leelanau Dec 14 – Grand Traverse Jan 11 – Manistee Jan 18 – Wexford & Missaukee Location: 232 N. Michigan Ave, Beulah. Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM. A note at the bottom reads: “This is our gift to you! We will just ask a couple feedback questions as you leave

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.

5 months ago, North Ed News
Image of Dylan Wiliam presenting on Formative Assessment in the Traverse City Central High auditorium for Regional Staff Development Day.
Image of Dr. Shelley Moore presenting on Inclusive Education for All Students for in the Traverse City West Senior High auditorium for Regional Staff Development Day. The projection reads “What is inclusion?”.
Bring your Human Resources talent and passion for people to North Ed! We are seeking a Personnel Specialist to join our vital HR team, dedicated to helping our staff succeed so students can thrive. Apply today! https://rebrand.ly/North-Ed-Employment
5 months ago, North Ed News
Text reads: We’re Hiring! Personnel Specialist. Join our talented team of educators… apply today! NorthwestEd.org/employment. Northwest Education Services. Image Description: Black woman with curly hair, wearing a white blouse, smiling, shaking the hand of a white man in a suit.

Save GSC - Jon's Story

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.

5 months ago, North Ed News
Thumbnail of a Youtube video featuring Jon Zawodney, Directory of Children and Youth Ministry Lake Ann United Methodist Church and GSC Neighborhood Network Playgroup Partner, sharing his Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition Traverse Bay story. Jon is has short red hair, beard, and is wearing green hoody, smiling in front of a Northwest Education Services wall decal.

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.

6 months ago, North Ed News
Honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day. 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. Northwest Education Services.

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

6 months ago, North Ed News
CELEBREMOS EL MES DE LA HERENCIA HISPANA. CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH. Northwest Education Services.
Looking for preschool options for your 4-year-old in Forest Area or Elk Rapids? Learn more about slots available through the Great Start Readiness Program! Call 231.922.7878 or email HelpMeGrow@NorthwestEd.org for information.
6 months ago, North Ed News
Preschool slots available for four-year-olds. Forest Area Community Schools and Elk Rapids Schools. Enroll today! 231.922.7878, HelpMeGrow@NorthwestEd.org. Great Start Readiness Program. Northwest Education Services.