Michigan Department of Education visits MCS

Students from The Manchester Jr./Sr. High School Entrepreneurial STEM class, under the direction of Mr. Joe Walsh, present Michigan Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Director, Teri Rink, and her team, sample from their “Fizz and Beans” designer candle and coffee company that they have created and are now marketing successfully on a large scale. All photos courtesy Manchester Community Schools.

by Marsha Chartrand

What would you do if the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) was visiting the Washtenaw Intermediate School District and emailed to let you know they’d like to come at 9am the next morning to visit Manchester Community Schools to “see the great things being done here”?

Well, if you’re Dr. Bradley Bezeau, MCS Superintendent, you say, “Come on down.”

MDE Director of Special Education Teri Rink wanted to highlight and celebrate the great things happening in our district and find out what the MDE can do to help them highlight and improve the services they offer.

“State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice has made it a priority at the MDE to stay focused on Customer Service,” Rink said in her email message to Dr. Bezeau. “MDE Leadership members are visiting at least five local districts or childcare centers this year.

“These visits will help the leadership here at MDE see, personally, the things that are making a difference to the children in Michigan,” Rink continued. “I would enjoy very much visiting Manchester Community Schools.”

The site visit was intended to let the district “show off” any innovative or particularly successful programs we have; provide a chance to visit with Bezeau and the district team; and “listen to any ways that MDE can help break down any barriers to teaching and learning.”

While the district had free rein to decide what to include in the two-hour visit, they didn’t have a lot of time to prepare. Basically, they were asked to show the Department what programs are working well within the district and then to bring up any issues that might be addressed.

“Remember,” Rink wrote, “this is about Customer Service — ‘how can we help you.’”

She added that Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan provides focused direction to drive educational achievement in support of all learners.

Bezeau said the day went well, featuring the Jr./Sr. High School Entrepreneurial STEM class, the Jr./Sr. High School Life Skills Class, and the Young 5s Classroom. “Our friends from the Michigan Department of Education are amazed at the great things happening in our schools!” he enthused.

Students from The Manchester Jr./Sr. High School Life Skills Class and working kitchen share their latest projects with Manchester Jr./Sr. High School Principal Wendy Bridges, Teacher Justin Ward, and Michigan Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Director, Teri Rink, and her team as they tour Manchester Jr./Sr. High School.

Students from Ms. Joynt’s Young 5s Classroom share their Mother’s Day Plant Project and excitement with Michigan Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Director, Teri Rink, and her team as they tour Luther C. Klager Elementary on Thursday, May 11, 2023.

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.