MiEarly Apprentice - Success Navigator

Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative – MiEarly Apprentice Navigator 

(Remote with some in-state travel) 

Who We Are 

Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative (MEWI) is a hub for educator talent. MEWI adopts a “systems-adjacent” approach, working closely with K-12 districts and higher education institutions to design and support innovative approaches to recruiting and developing teachers and school leaders. We are committed to hiring a team that represents the diversity our state offers. 

What We Do 

MEWI is an adaptive organization that plays the roles necessary to foster innovation and long-term, systematic capacity-building in the educator talent space. Depending on the context and project needs, MEWI acts as a “doer”, funder, supporter, or convener. MEWI designs, implements, funds, and supports innovative programs to recruit, develop, retain, and elevate new and veteran teachers and school leaders. MEWI captures insights and learnings from our work to share with systems leaders, policy makers, parents, and community leaders and convenes educators to share best practices, collaborate, and problem-solve. 

What You’ll Do 

As a MiEarly Apprentice Success Navigator, you will play a critical role in MEWI’s Early Childhood Education strategy and will be the first line of support to a caseload of participants in our MiEarly Apprentice program. You will work with teacher candidates to promote habits and routines that will lead to successful program completion and ensure common barriers to completion of early childhood education preparation programs are removed so that candidates can successfully enter programs and earn their desired credential and degree.  

Who You Are 

The ideal candidate for this role: 

• Has lived experience navigating the complexities of higher education systems.  For example, first generation college students and/or adult learners (or has experience directly supporting individuals in navigating complex higher education systems).  

• Has an entrepreneurial spirit. This person enjoys working in a fast-paced environment and does not get easily overwhelmed by shifting priorities and projects.  

• Can build trusting and authentic relationships quickly with a variety of stakeholders who have diverse life and work experiences.  

• Is self-directed and independent. This person will work independently to build systems from the ground up which requires discipline and focus. 

• Has excellent communication skills. This person is skilled at both written and verbal communication and can adapt communications for different audiences. 

• Believe there is more than one right way for someone to be successful. This person knows that overcoming challenges to achieve education and career goals often involves creative problem-solving. This person believes that every candidate can be successful, with the right combination of customized support and advocacy.  

• Can navigate and excel within the complexities of a virtual workplace. This person quickly builds skill with online tools (including Microsoft Office Suite), while establishing trusting relationships with colleagues and contributing to a positive team culture. 

• Takes ownership of their work while operating within a feedback-rich culture.  This person puts ideas and solutions forward and then adapts based on feedback and input from colleagues, driving towards effective execution. 

• Operates well in teams and upholds behavioral and performance expectations in all settings. This person understands and commits to the value of cross-team work and can adapt to guidance and expectations of multiple members of a management team. 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university 
• 2-3 years of work in a school or district-based role and/or in higher education 
• Lived experience as a first-generation college student and/or non-traditional student or experience providing direct support and/or coaching to individuals who have these lived experiences  
• Experience developing, using, and maintaining data collection and management tools and systems 
• Experience and comfort conducting meetings and facilitating or supporting virtual presentations 
• Proficient with software and technology including Zoom and Microsoft Office 
• (Preferred) Understanding of Michigan teacher certification rules and structures 
• (Preferred) Experience with Salesforce 
• (Preferred) Experience working in school or school-district based roles ​​​​​​​

Responsibilities  

• Support MiEarly Apprentice participants at all levels (including those seeking a Child Development Associate, a bachelor’s degree, and initial teacher certification to determine the “best-fit” pathway and Post-Secondary Institution (PSI) for their individual needs and goals 
• Provide 1:1 and small group supports to a caseload of candidates during the program admission process including: 
  • Identifying and accessing documentation candidates need to submit with their applications (e.g., transcripts, letters of recommendation) 
  • Preparing application essays and other narrative application components 
  • Selecting the appropriate pathway 
• Provide ongoing, tiered support to a caseload of up to 85 candidates, including: 
  • Designing and implementing culture and engagement plans for cohort of MiEarly Apprentices participants to ensure participants feel welcome, included, and valued 
  • Establish goals and an Individual Development Plan (IDP) 
  • Creating (where necessary) a Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) study plan that outlines the differentiated small group supports each candidate needs to be prepared for the relevant MTTC exam(s), including small group study sessions and online resources 
  • Providing wrap-around support during the onboarding and training experience, including access to community-based organizations, technology, and other funding needs 
• Planning and facilitating community-based activities for a cohort of participants to deepen their understanding of their students, their families, and their communities 
• Collaborate with MiEarly Apprentice education partners to design and align on systems for teacher candidate support throughout all phases of the MiEarly apprentice recruitment, application, selection, and support processes 
• Monitor teacher candidate progress through their program; co-develop intervention plans for candidates who are off-track or at-risk for not completing their programs 
• Design and implement communication tools and teacher candidate support resources, including orientation materials and small group synchronous and asynchronous materials 
• Contribute to other MEWI workstreams and functions including candidate recruitment and selection 
• Contribute to MiEarly Apprentice’s program evolution and expansion, including supporting the approval of a federally registered apprenticeship program by completing special and priority projects as determined jointly with manager  
• Maintain strong record keeping for federal and state programs and grants, including monitoring progress and communications for the U.S Department of Labor, Salesforce, CRAFT, and other required systems 
• Provide excellent customer service to a number of stakeholders in a wide variety of roles 
• Perform other duties as assigned by MEWI’s leadership and/or direct supervisor 

Compensation 

Commensurate with experience.  Salary range is $78,000-$95,000 annually.