Take a peek into a Michigan classroom and you might be shocked to learn that at least one in 20 people leading instruction doesn’t have a teaching certificate.
That’s the new reality uncovered by a recently released study.
And as The ’Gander’s political correspondent Kyle Kaminski reports, it’s not because Michigan isn’t producing teachers. It’s because we’re burning through them.
Keep reading for the full story.
Plus: Records show that ICE contractors are funding Mike Rogers’ US Senate campaign in Michigan.
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Grand jury declines to indict Sens. Slotkin, Kelly over ‘illegal orders’ video (CNBC): A federal grand jury in Washington, DC, declined to indict US Sens. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Mark Kelly of Arizona, along with four House Democrats, on seditious conspiracy charges tied to a video reminding service members they can refuse illegal orders. The lawmakers called the effort a politicized abuse of power from the Trump administration.
Canada PM speaks to Trump following threat to block Gordie Howe Bridge (CBC): Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he pushed back on President Donald Trump’s threat to block the Gordie Howe International Bridge, telling him Canada fully financed the $4 billion project, with ownership being shared between Canada and Michigan under a 2012 agreement. Despite Trump’s rhetoric, Canadian and Michigan leaders expressed confidence that the bridge will open.
Whitmer signs school cell phone ban bill (Bridge Michigan): Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed a law banning smartphone use during instructional time in Michigan public schools starting in the 2026-27 school year. The bill leaves enforcement details to districts.
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Michigan can’t keep enough teachers in the classroom
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Despite our best efforts, our public schools just can’t seem to keep enough teachers in the classroom.
Here’s the deal: A new Michigan State University study found that Michigan is actually certifying more new teachers than it has in over a decade. Last year alone, more than 5,400 people earned their teaching certificates. But in that same year, nearly 8,000 teachers left Michigan’s public schools. So, even in a solid year for recruiting, schools only replaced about 70% of the people who walked out the door.
Meanwhile, they’re patching gaps with returning retirees, long-term substitute teachers, and people who are still working their way toward their teaching certification, with non-certified teachers now accounting for more than 5% of the workforce.
This is where the bigger picture comes in.
According to MSU, at the current pace, Michigan’s teacher turnover might not return to pre-pandemic levels until the 2031-32 school year.
The churn shows up in real life as bigger class sizes, more long-term subs, and more classrooms led by people still learning on the job.
And this problem isn’t hitting every school the same. The report found that staffing shortages are at their worst in special education, rural communities, urban districts, and charter schools.
Michigan lawmakers know this is a problem. They’ve started putting real money behind fixing it. The state has invested millions into programs that help future teachers pay for college, cover student teaching costs, and create new pathways to certification for school staff.
Political correspondent Kyle Kaminski has more details on this edition of “so what, Michigan?“
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Report: ICE contractors fund Mike Rogers US Senate campaign in Michigan
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FEC records show private prison giants CoreCivic and GEO Group—both major ICE contractors—have donated thousands to elect Republican Mike Rogers to the US Senate. (Photo Illustration/AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
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By Kyle Kaminski
Republican US Senate candidate Mike Rogers has accepted more than $20,000 from private prison companies that operate detention facilities for US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to federal election records analyzed by The ‘Gander.
Those donors include political action committees and executives tied to CoreCivic and GEO Group, the nation’s two largest private prison companies. Both firms are contracting with ICE to detain thousands of immigrants this year, including at a detention facility in Northern Michigan.
Federal filings show Rogers has accepted at least $20,625 in contributions from the two companies in recent years, including $15,000 from CoreCivic and its executives in 2025 alone.
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By Abby Deatrick
Welcome to your weekly roundup of Michigan political events, protests, rallies, advocacy opportunities, and ways to take action statewide.
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📅 Friday (Feb. 13)
Traverse City Indivisible: Weekly Good Trouble Assembly Rally, (Traverse City, 12-1 p.m.) — A rally calling on Congress to protect democracy and stop ICE.
Rising Voices, Detroit Asian Collective, and State Senator Stephanie Chang: Warning Whistle Kit Making Night, (Virtual, 6-8 p.m.) — A community event to make multilingual warning whistle kits and receive a brief know your rights training on how to respond during an immigration enforcement encounter.
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📅 Saturday (Feb. 14)
Invest in MI Kids: Red for Ed Weeks of Action, (Statewide, Feb. 14-28) — Statewide volunteer opportunities are taking place over the next two weeks to support the Invest in MI Kids ballot initiative.
Women’s March TC: March for Justice for Renee Nicole Good, Justice for Alex Pretti, (Traverse City, 1-3 p.m.) — A march for justice for Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti.
Melt the ICE Benefit Concert: An Afternoon of Music and Solidarity, (Grand Rapids, 2 p.m.) — A benefit concert in support of immigrant families in the Grand Rapids area impacted by ICE operations. All proceeds will directly support the SECOM Resource Center, Movimiento Cosecha Grand Rapids, and Kent County Indivisible. Suggested donations are $25 per person.
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📅 Sunday (Feb. 15)
Berrien County Democratic Party: Black History Celebration, (St. Joseph, 2-4 p.m.) — A community gathering featuring interactive activities and educational experiences in celebration of Black History Month.
ACLU, State Representative Mike McFall, and Senator Stephanie Chang: Know Your Rights Town Hall, (Warren, 4:30-6 p.m.) — A training on the First Amendment rights to protest and free speech, and rights when interacting with law enforcement. With Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, Rising Voices, and Emgage Michigan.
Michigan United Action: Money Out of Politics Orientation, (Virtual, 6:30-8 p.m.) — Learn about the ballot initiative to get money out of politics and how you can get involved.
Save the World and Community Aid for Empowerment (CAFE): ICE Verifier Training with CAFE, (Farmington Hills, 7 p.m.) — A training on observing and verifying ICE activity.
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📅 Monday (Feb. 16)
Ottawa County Democratic Party: Start Local-A Precinct Delegate Info Night, (Holland, 6 p.m.) — A session on what your township or city precinct delegate does for you, and how you file to become a precinct delegate.
Reproductive Freedom For All: Know Your AG Candidates! Member Meeting, (Virtual, 7:00 p.m.) — A meeting with Reproductive Freedom for All Michigan members, featuring the Michigan Attorney General candidates and Marseille Allen from the Michigan Democratic Party Caucus (MDP), discussing the MDP Endorsement Convention.
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📅 Tuesday (Feb. 17)
50501: National Day of Lobbying-Impeach, Convict, and Remove, (Jackson, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.) — A day of lobbying, in conjunction with the 50501’s National Day of Action, for the impeachment, conviction, and removal of President Trump.
For Our Future Michigan: MI Legislature 101: Policy, Process, Power!, (Virtual, 2-3 p.m.) — An interactive session to prepare community members for advocacy, from Michigan government basics to practical advocacy skills.
Equality Michigan: Phone Bank for Equality, (Virtual, 5:30-7:30 p.m.) — A training and phonebank session to contact voters in Michigan and identify and mobilize them in support of equality and inclusion.
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📅 Wednesday (Feb. 18)
Kent County Democratic Party: Winter Postcard Writing, (Grand Rapids, 10:30 a.m. -12 p.m.) — Join community members and write postcards advocating for important issues in Michigan supported by the Kent County Democrats.
Michigan League of Conservation Voters: DTE Rate Increase Public Comment Workshop, (Detroit, 6-7:30 p.m.) — A public comment workshop on how to create a public comment and submit a written comment to the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) on DTE and Consumers Energy’s proposed rate increases.
Michigan United Action: Money Out of Politics Orientation, (Virtual, 6:30-8 p.m.) — Learn about the ballot initiative to get money out of politics and how you can get involved.
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📣 Have an event to add? Email Abigail Deatrick, The ’Gander’s state organizing coordinator, with details. Please send submissions at least one week before the event.
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Would you recommend this newsletter to your neighbor?
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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with stories from Kyle Kaminski and Abby Deatrick. It was edited by Paula Solis.
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