As part of its mission to provide customized, research-based support to schools across the state, MSU’s Office of K-12 Outreach has curated a series of free online resource guides for teachers.
K-12 Outreach maintains an unwavering focus on student achievement, offering practical and policy advice to educators, legislative bodies, agencies, associations and foundations.
“Our mission, as an office and college at a land-grant university, is to support educators in Michigan,” said Outreach Specialist Ted Ransaw. “We want to provide resources, share our expertise and support teachers in classrooms.”
ELOQUENT EDUCATORS VIDEO SERIES
This video series highlights female educational leaders in conversation with Outreach Specialist Shirley Jackson. The interviews provide an opportunity to introduce students to women who have helped shape and define the educational landscape in Michigan.
“We explore [how] these professionals continue to influence our thinking about topics related to the ways we educate learners—from the very youngest to young people who attend our colleges and universities,” said Jackson.
The first interview features Rema Vassar, who was elected to an eight-year term on the MSU Board of Trustees in 2021.
Keep an eye on the Office of K-12 Outreach’s YouTube channel for future interviews with Sonya Gunnings-Moton, associate dean and associate professor emerita of the College of Education, and Sheila Alles, who served as Michigan’s chief deputy superintendent and interim state superintendent between 2017-2021.
BLACK HISTORY RESOURCES
Compiled by Ransaw, the 2022 Black History Month Teaching Resources Guide is a curated collection of online materials for Michigan teachers, featuring multimedia tools to help teach Black history. Educators can access information on how to teach young students about slavery; Michigan- and Detroit-specific Black history; truth, racial healing and transformation; and more. A collection of Black-authored books offers titles that can empower and increase reading engagement among Black students.
The 2021 Black History Month collection shares links to videos created specifically for children and helpful websites for a variety of audiences.
These tools are intended to be used throughout the year and especially during Black History Month in February.
WOMEN’S HISTORY GUIDE
This set of resources is centered on “Women Providing Healing and Promoting Hope.” The guide includes a timeline for how commemorations transitioned from a single International Women’s Day to Women’s History Month (recognized every March), links to YouTube videos and a literature review.
“This document was a labor of love, and everyone can find something in its resources,” said Irma Hamilton, an outreach specialist who led the creation of the document with a team of colleagues.
While the primary focus is resources for K-12 classrooms, Hamilton hopes those from all walks of life—including caregivers, men and young children—can be inspired by the stories they find in its pages.
PRESIDENT’S EDUCATION FORUMS
Office of K-12 Outreach Director Bryan Beverly noted the return of the President’s Education Forums in fall 2022. Designed to build a bridge between the university and state capital, these forums provide an opportunity for MSU faculty to present the latest education research to legislators, their staff, and other policymakers and leaders.
Learn more: education.msu.edu/k12