Regional Success Navigator (West/Southwest Michigan)

Who We Are

Talent Together is a consortium of all 56 of Michigan’s Intermediate School Districts (ISDs) and Regional Educational Service Agencies (RESAs). The consortium has committed to working closely together and with key partners, including colleges and universities, the Michigan Department of Education, the Department of Labor, and the Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative to design and implement a suite of programs that provide pathways into the teaching profession. 

Talent Together seeks to provide equitable access and opportunity to the teaching profession by eliminating barriers and providing multiple levels of support to ensure candidates can complete a high-quality teacher preparation program. We acknowledge and respect participants’ diverse identities, cultures, and traditions and create environments where participants feel a sense of belonging so that, ultimately, children across Michigan learn from a more diverse and well-prepared teacher workforce. 

What We Do 

The Talent Together consortium has pledged to significantly increase access to the teaching profession by innovating to overcome common barriers such as the cost of coursework and the need to earn a living wage while seeking certification. By creating a Registered Apprenticeship Program that includes job-embedded coursework and comprehensive on-the-job support and learning from expert teachers, Talent Together will create more opportunities for people in communities across our state, many of whom are already working and serving students in our schools, to successfully join and remain in the teaching profession. 

What You’ll Do 

As a Success Navigator, you will play a critical role in Talent Together and will be the first line of support to a caseload of participants. Success Navigators will promote habits and routines that will lead to successful program completion and ensure common barriers to completion of teacher preparation programs are removed so that candidates can successfully enter and complete their teacher certification (and, where needed, degree) program. 

Who You Are 

The ideal candidate for this role: 

• Live in West/Southwest Michigan and understand the many cultures of the region.
• 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. 
• Believes there is more than one right way for someone to be successful. This person knows that overcoming challenges in order 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 the Google workspace), 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 multiple teams (regional and role) 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 in conducting meetings and facilitating or supporting virtual presentations 
• Proficient with software and technology including Zoom, Microsoft and/or Google suite
• (Preferred) Understanding of Michigan teacher certification rules and structures
• (Preferred) Experience working in school or school-district based roles

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Support Talent Together participants at all levels ( including those seeking a degree and initial teacher certification, post BA initial teacher certification, and certified teachers seeking additional endorsements) 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 initial teacher certification candidates during the Post-Secondary Institution (PSI) 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 certification pathway 
• Provide ongoing, tiered support to a caseload of up to 150 Teacher Candidates, including:
  • Designing and implementing culture and engagement plans for cohort of Talent Together participants to ensure participants feel welcome, included, and valued
  • Collaborating with Post-Secondary Institution staff and faculty to: establish goals and an Individual Development Plan (IDP) 
  • Collaborating with School Support Managers to co-create (with candidates) Michigan Test for Teacher Certification 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 for caseload of participants during the training experience, including access to community-based organizations and other funding needs (e.g., broadband access, childcare resources, etc.) 
  • Planning and facilitating community-based activities for cohort of participants to deepen their understanding of their students, their families, and their communities
• Monitor Teacher Candidate (TC) progress through their program; co-develop intervention plans for TCs 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 Talent Together workstreams and functions including participant recruitment and selection 
• Contribute to Talent Together’s program evolution and expansion 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 in Salesforce, Canvas, 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 Talent Together leadership and/or direct supervisor
• Designing and implementing culture and engagement plans for cohort of Talent Together participants to ensure participants feel welcome, included, and valued 

Salary and Benefits

Salary starting at $79,504 based on qualifications and experience. Benefits include: health, vision, and dental insurance; paid time off; employee assistance program, long term disability insurance; life insurance; and retirement benefits through the Michigan Public School Employees’ Retirement System (MPSERS). 

Terms of Employment

Full time, non-union position; hybrid work environment. This position reports to a Talent Together Regional Program Director. This role is based in a home office. All Talent Together staff members are required to live in Michigan and will be required to travel to various locations in the state.