Midland launches first-year ‘Teachers of Tomorrow’ course pairing high school students with mentor teachers

Midland Public Schools described the first year of a new Teachers of Tomorrow course that places high school juniors and seniors in mentor classrooms three days a week and offers a combination of in‑class instruction and hands‑on experience at elementary and middle schools.

Teachers Chelsea Berg (Dow High) and Katie Stearns (Midland High) told the school board the course evolved from a successful club and is funded by the Future Proud Michigan Educators grant. The class meets sixth hour and students spend Tuesday–Thursday in mentor placements at elementary and middle schools; Fridays are used for debriefing and Mondays for reflection and journaling.

Stearns said initial interest was high: 46 students signed up at one point, but the program was narrowed to juniors and seniors for logistical reasons. She said one building’s final enrollment was 22 seniors; Berg said her section started with roughly 30 initial registrants and has about 14–15 remaining students after scheduling adjustments. Placement runs through early May, roughly a 13‑week mentor experience.

The curriculum draws from a state program and supplemental materials. Staff emphasized classroom culture, history of education, child‑development theories, social‑emotional learning and teaching methods; students participated in RISE training and attended the Michigan Educators Rising conference at Wayne State University.

Students who spoke to the board described hands‑on experience across grade levels, including reading to students, lesson planning and classroom management exposure. The presenters said they are exploring articulated college credit for the course and expect the class to strengthen the local teacher pipeline.

The item was an informational presentation (item 3.3); no board action was required.