MACAE December 2009 Newsletter

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DECEMBER 2009
		Warm Wishes for the Holiday and New Year! When first-timers attend a MACAE event, they’re often warned that community educators are huggers…and so along with the last issue of Community Education Matters for 2009, we hope you will share in a group hug and feel the warm appreciation for all that you do for your community, learners of all ages and for MACAE! While the year is wrapping up on a very unsettling note, it is more important than ever that we reach out and support one another. Come the first of the year, we need to put our heads together to figure out how to make the best of the future for our students, colleagues, communities and state. Community educators pride themselves in being problem solvers, resourceful and creative…the glue that keeps our communities connected. Now is the time for us to stretch far and wide to see the possibilities and lead the way to a brighter New Year.
		Race to the Top State Package...Almost There? It has been quite the race in every way as both the State Senate and the House have introduced more than a dozen bills to help Michigan be competitive for the Obama Administration’s Race to the Top challenge with incentive dollars tied to required school-reform measures. MACAE’s Government Affairs Committee and the Alternative Education Focus Group spent a substantial amount of time last week at the monthly meeting in Okemos trying to digest and analyze all the various aspects of the bills and how they will collectively and individually impact community education programs. (more)
		Get On Board with Online Learning: Excellent Onsite PD Opportunity! In response to several of our members, MACAE will be offering an excellent online learning and exploration session to help districts meet their professional development requirements for those who have an in-service on Dr. Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 18th. This workshop, which will be available at five regional labs or in a webinar format from the comfort of your home or office, will overview professional development resources applicable to everyone who works in an educational program. (more)
		A School Designed with its Alternative Students in Mind When L’Anse Creuse Public Schools realized in 2005 that their alternative education program was outgrowing its current building, the administration knew changes had to be made. “A real struggle for us that we found, was that there was no place for kids to just gather. Part of being in a school is the social aspect. The hallways were so tight, and … (we) had a capacity for 200. We are at 385,” said Michelle Irwin, senior director for community relations and programs for L’Anse Creuse Public Schools. (more)
		Michigan College Access Network strives to increase post secondary education attendance rates In 2004, when the Cherry Commission released their recommendations for higher education, the first recommendation for the state of Michigan was to make education universal. Though this may seem like an impossible task, one organization will strive to bring us all closer. The Michigan College Access Network, though still in its implementation stage, will provide the resources needed by students, administrators and parents to increase college participation and completion rates, particularly among low-income or first-generation college students. (more)
		Affinety Solutions, Inc. offers unique design with website management tools Since its operations began eight years ago, Affinety Solutions, Inc. has been making a name for itself when it comes to website management. Born out of a consulting firm and founded by brothers Steve and Joe Holewa, the Minnesota-based Affinety Solutions works to provide its clients with individualized website design. Clients can “self-maintain and self-manage” their own sites, choose a unique design and layout, and receive search engine optimization. (more)
		Take Advantage of Easy Online Communication Tools in Michigan LearnPort Until recently, our main communication methods were individual meetings, written memos, and group meetings. You-and-me meetings were time-consuming, written memos were costly and often lost, and group meetings were not usually well-attended. The constant demand of keeping everyone informed and up-to-date still is a daunting task. Today we have a wealth of innovative tools that, although not a replacement for traditional communication means, are effective and efficient in many cases. (more)
		Longtime MACAE member and educator Joanne Lovell passes away MACAE would like to extend its sympathies to the family and dear friends of Joanne Lovell. The former community education program director, educator and supporter of MACAE, passed away November 22. Joanne was the Director of Community Education for Portland Schools for more than 25 years before retirement. Though she officially "retired" from the position, Joanne never retired from her dedication and advocacy for education and support of MACAE. (more)
	MEET YOUR BOARD MEMBERS In the coming months, we will feature short biographies on all of MACAE’s Board Members.This month, Community Education Matters* highlights three of our valued members.*
		Julie Menassaka Genesee Adult & Community Education Association Grand Blanc Community Schools MACAE President Born in Detroit, Julie went on to attend Southwest Texas State University and Blinn College, in Texas. She has worked in community education for 19 years, and having served as Community Education Director for the past 4 ½, she’s found much inspiration. (more)
		Gregg Dionne Oakland County Community & Adult Education Hazel Park School District MACAE Vice President Born in Lapeer, Mich., Gregg has spent most of his life in the metro-Detroit Area. He received his bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University, and master’s degree in education from Baldwin-Wallace College in Ohio. Following a career change in his late twenties that took him from health care to education, Gregg spent some time working as a teacher before getting into community education, where he has been for five years. (more)
		Bob Steeh Oakland County Community & Adult Education Novi Community Schools MACAE Past President A native of Mt. Clemens, Mich., Bob received his undergraduate degree from Central Michigan University before earning his master’s degree in educational leadership from Eastern Michigan University. Bob is now beginning his 33rd year working in community education. (more)