Welcome to the MITTIN Memo

In this edition of the MITTIN Memo we are excited to share an accomplishment of one of our MITTIN PLC members. Gretchen Archinal earned her Master Teacher certification through the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. Gretchen's application portfolio highlighted the use of MITTIN's innovated digital resources, classroom research on the progress of students using these curricular tools. Congratulations Gretchen!

MITTIN's implementation schedule has also had a busy beginning to the new year. Just this week MITTIN has connected with over 200 educators in Michigan. Below, you can read about MITTIN's professional learning and workshop opportunities at Saginaw ISD, Ottawa Area ISD, the MAASE SLIP conference as well as a virtual panel presentation with MTSA.

You will also find in this MITTIN Memo, information on the upcoming annual conference for the Michigan Council for Exceptional Children (MCEC) which is being held in Grand Rapids on February 28, 29 and March 1, 2024. MCEC is a MITTIN partner. MITTIN is a conference sponsor and will be providing a half day pre-session workshop, a break-out presentation and also have a booth where you can stop by to get at-the-elbow support on all things MITTIN.

If January is any indication, 2024 is shaping up to be an engaging and exciting year. Thank you for your interest in MITTIN as we continually strive toward excellence for the benefit of a learner's transition to independence.

Best Regards,

Dr. Derek Cooley,

MITTIN Committee Chair

Congratulations Gretchen Archinal!

Gretchen Archinal is a Resource Room teacher at University Prep Middle School in Detroit who received her Master Teacher certification through the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards in December. As part of the MITTIN PLC last year, she developed, implemented, and assessed a lesson plan for middle school students to create and test a recipe for grilled cheese sandwiches. As part of the lesson, the students utilized the MITTIN module on how to use the stove to beta-test their recipes prior to making the sandwiches in real life. She tracked student perceptions of ability through pre and post-assessments. Her students had a ball and grew in their knowledge and confidence in the kitchen. This lesson plan and her involvement in the MITTIN PLC became a basis for part of her portfolio for national board certification.

Gretchen is a second career teacher who is the mother of three young adults including her daughter Maggie, who is on the autism spectrum, and Stephen who has ADD. She brings with her the knowledge as a parent who is teaching life skills in the home as well as a love for teaching practical math skills in the classroom. She has a BA in American Culture from the University of Michigan and a MAT from Wayne State. She has endorsements in Elementary Education and Special Education - Autism Spectrum Disorder and Learning Disabilities.

2024 MCEC Conference

Michigan Council for Exceptional Children (MCEC) 84th annual conference will be held at the Amway Grand Hotel in Grand Rapids on February, 28, 29 and March 1, 2024. Their conference theme this year, "An Exceptional Celebration" will uplift learning while highlighting the work and achievement of special education students, educators and parents. The conference will host 6 pre-conference seminars, 80+ amazing workshops and poster presentations, luncheons and receptions delivering timely and relevant content to enhance the special education community. On Wednesday, February 28th from 9am - noon, Dr. Lois Vaughan-Hussain, Ashleigh Moro, Jenna Kogut & Kristine Gullen will facilitate a workshop session titled: Celebrate Transition -- A Practitioner's Guide to Transition Planning from School to Reality, The MITTIN Modules and Resources at a Glance. Also headlining this conference is renowned author and speaker, Dr. Muhammad Khalifa as well as the Office of Special Education Director Teri Rin. MCEC is a partner is the MITTIN project and provides support with the implementation of MITTIN resources in the classrooms across Michigan.

Registration is now open! Visit us at www.anexceptionalcelebration.com to learn more and get started!