MITTIN Memo 9.15.23

'Strengthening a Learner's Transition to Independence'

Welcome to the MITTIN Memo

I hope everyone has had a fantastic beginning to the new school year. Here at MITTIN we have been busy planning professional learning opportunities, designing the next cohort of PLCs, scheduling professional development in schools and putting together plans for the next series of MITTIN resources. Below you will find information on upcoming virtual PLCs, how to RSVP and also a teacher survey to help inform and refine our work.

At the end of September, we will be launching two more one-touch MITTIN modules topics -- Use a Stove and Clean the Bedroom. We are excited to continue to grow our library of digital and curricular resources for the benefit of strengthening a student's transition to independence.

If you are interested in learning more about MITTIN, you can begin by visiting our website: mittin.org .

Best Regards,

Dr. Derek Cooley,

MITTIN Committee Chair

MITTIN PLC Fall 2023 Round Up!

An invitation from Dr. Lois Vaughan-Hussain

Greetings, Special Education Practitioners,

Do you have a learner who needs to strengthen their independent living skills?

Do you have a learner who likes to use technology at home and in the classroom?

Are you interested in incorporating engaging technology into your instructional practices?

Do you want specially designed resources to practice transition activities safely?

We can help! … and did we say it is free?!

Join our upcoming 2023-24 MITTIN PLC to learn more about incorporating Michigan’s first mixed-reality-based instructional modules for special education into your classroom. MITTIN, Michigan Transition To Independence, is a library of innovative digital resources which foster the development of independent living skills in the home and community. We are planning our first meeting virtually on the 3rd Tuesday of October from 4:30 until 6:00 p.m.

During the MITTIN-PLC process, you will engage with other special education practitioners across the state to share your experiences designing transition-driven instructional activities using the MITTIN modules. The cohort uses a Professional Learning Community (PLC) framework to plan, implement, and reflect on transition instruction.

We can’t wait to explore and learn with you!

Best regards,

Dr. Lois Vaughan-Hussain

RSVP to: kristinegullen@maase.org or waltona.mcec@gmail.com

We need your perspective with the...

MITTIN Teacher Use & Experience Survey

We need your help! To obtain feedback on module use we are reaching out to teachers who have used the modules. The goal is to develop a greater understanding of how teachers and students use and experience the modules. This will help inform further module and library development, as well as research and dissemination efforts, going forward.

We would very much appreciate about 20 minutes of your valuable time and expertise to take a brief online survey. Public Policy Associates (PPA), an independent research firm, is conducting this survey on MITTIN’s behalf. Although PPA will share the results of the survey with MITTIN and other stakeholders, no individual survey response will be identified, and your name will not be used in any shared information.

If you have any questions about this survey, please email PPA using this address:

ppa@publicpolicy.com.

Access the survey here: https://www.research.net/r/2P2P5CN

MITTIN Committee Member Spotlight

Dr. Lois Vaughan-Hussain

As the dynamic PLC facilitator of the MITTIN Project, Dr. Lois enjoys working with Michigan teachers to discover their superpower of creating Specially Designed Instruction using mixed reality for Transition-age students. It’s her current mission to support and spread the word about the greatness of MITTIN to other Michigan teachers. She wants special education practitioners to know that MITTIN has been developed to bridge specially designed transition services from the classroom to home/community settings using evidence-based practices that are proven to enhance student outcomes.

Dr. Lois Vaughan-Hussain is also the amazing MAASE/MITTIN Liaison for the Michigan Council for Exceptional Children. She has been in K-12 and Higher Education for over 35 years. Dr. Lois is an Adjunct Professor and Clinical Instructional Coach for Wayne State University in Detroit and the Executive Director and Owner of LVH Consulting, LLC. Previously, she served as a Special Education Supervisor for Detroit Public Schools, a Special and General Education Teacher, and a Special Education Consultant for Wayne RESA, providing Wayne County LEAs and PSA with IEP compliance training and Specially Designed Instruction to Resource Program teachers.

MITTIN Implementation

MITTIN is on the go throughout Michigan. Over the next few weeks you can find us connecting and strengthening a learner's transition to independence at:

Wyandotte Schools

Friday, September 29, 2023

World of Possibilities Macomb Special Needs Expo

Saturday, September 30, 2023

Michigan Autism Conference (MAC) Kalamazoo

Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday, October 11-13, 2023

What is MITTIN?

MITTIN – MIchigan Transition To INdependence is a dynamic collection of modules and curricular resources which foster the development of independent living skills in the home and community. Designed to support special education transition-related instruction, these resources are free and available to for all parents, schools, educators and learners in Michigan. MITTIN is a partnership of the Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education (MAASE), Michigan Council for Exceptional Children (MCEC), Great Lakes Reality Labs (GLRL) and Public Policy Associates (PPA). These resources can be found at: mittin.org

Safety and Independence at Home

MITTIN currently has seven topics which focus on strengthening skills which promote safety and independence at home.

Change a Light Bulb
Clean Flat Surfaces
Clean the Bedroom
Put Away Groceries
Use a Microwave
Use an Oven
Use a Stove

Safety and Independence in the Community

MITTIN currently has four topics which focus on strengthening skills which promote safety and independence in the community.

Cross the Street
Shop for Groceries
Walk Through a Parking Lot
Use Self-Checkout

For more information, visit our website: mittin.org