Building Tomorrow's educators today.

The 2024-25 school year was filled with growth, learning, and opportunity for our MEC Scholars. Hear directly from a few alumni and a dedicated CTE Instructor as they share how the MEC Scholars program shaped their classroom experiences and inspired their career paths.

Scholar Resources

2025-2026 MEC Scholar Partner Application

MEC Scholars are high school students in Career and Technical Education, Educator Preparation courses (i.e. Teacher Academy, Educator Academy) who are exploring what it means to be an educator.

They’ve said, ‘I want to make a difference,’ and we’re helping them figure out how.

The MEC Scholars Program is solving the educator shortage through real-world experiences with state and local partners for the next generation of Michigan’s educators. Our mission is to prepare aspiring educators with career-launching experiences, equipping them to become impactful educators for the future of all Michigan students.

Whether you’re exploring a teaching career or preparing for postsecondary education, MEC Scholars is your first step toward making a difference in schools.

Notes From MEC Scholars

About our Scholars

MEC Scholars are placed in elementary classrooms to support young readers and gain valuable skillsets in educational careers. They’re trained, coached, and challenged to step into real roles—helping students grow academically while building skills of their own.

You don’t need to know for sure that you want to be a teacher. You just need to be curious. Curious about how students learn, what good teaching looks like, and whether education might be the right path for you.

Our Scholars are committed. They show up. They take training seriously. They reflect on what they’re learning. And most importantly, they care about kids.

To be an MEC Scholar, you must:

Enroll in a high school CTE Educator Preparation course
Complete training units and online learning modules
Serve in a local elementary classroom 2–5 days a week (assigned by CTE program)
Practice reading strategies with students using evidence-based programming
Collect and analyze student data
Receive coaching and complete a professional portfolio
Be 16 or older
Speak, read, and write English fluently.
Demonstrate professionalism and be recommended by a CTE Instructor or placement teacher.

What is the MEC Readiness in Instructional Support & Education (RISE) credential?

The MEC RISE (Readiness in Instructional Support & Education) credential is a rigorous, standards-based certification designed for high school students enrolled in Career and Technical Education (CTE) Educator Preparation programs.

Built on evidence-based practice, it bridges the gap between high school exploration and college/career readiness in education.

Through structured training and field-based experience, Scholars build the skills and knowledge necessary to support instruction, assess student needs, and contribute meaningfully to classroom learning.

Scholars who earn the credential demonstrate mastery of all PCC D and E competencies with documented evidence of proficiency through portfolios, rubrics, and a competency-aligned assessment.

The MEC RISE credential is currently pending Michigan Department of Education approval for official state recognition.

Programming flexibility

At MEC Scholars, we believe in balancing structure with flexibility. Our program provides a clear scope and sequence, aligned to state and Perkins standards, while giving partners the ability to adapt pacing, scheduling, and implementation to fit their unique context. Whether you’re a CTE program, school district, or community partner, we work alongside you to ensure the model supports your students, staff, and goals. Together, we create consistent outcomes without a one-size-fits-all approach.

Things to consider before partnering

1. Instructor Capacity – A certified CTE instructor (or equivalent educator) must be available to facilitate MEC Scholars tasks, support portfolio development, and provide feedback.

2. Technology Access – Scholars need reliable access to Google Classroom, LMS trainings, and online portfolio submission tools.

3. Scheduling & Pacing – While the program is designed for October–May, each site should have a plan for embedding MEC Scholars tasks and extension projects into class time.

4. Partnership Communication – Sites should plan for monthly check-ins with MEC staff and be willing to share feedback for program improvement.

5. Best Placement Setting - MEC Scholars is designed as a work-based learning experience. The program is most effective when Scholars are placed in K–3 classrooms, where they can practice foundational teaching skills and support early literacy.

Contact us

Grace Kelley

Grace Kelley is a dedicated and accomplished educator with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. She is bilingual in Spanish and English and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Foreign Language Teaching. With extensive teaching certifications across various subjects and grade levels, Grace brings a wealth of experience to the classroom. She served as the First Program Coordinator with MEC from 2015 to 2020, where she made significant contributions to the organization's growth and success. Grace's expertise extends beyond the classroom as she trains teachers on project/task-based learning methods. Outside of teaching, she enjoys outdoor activities, cooking, writing music, and reading. Grace's multifaceted background and passion for teaching create engaging learning environments for her students.

Building Tomorrow's educators today.

Notes From MEC Scholars

About our Scholars

To be an MEC Scholar, you must:

Contact us

MEC Scholars Program Manager

GKelley@hopenetwork.org

616-970-4919