Blog | rickjoseph-mtoy

Hope and Heritage at Hannahville Indian School

Hannahville Indian School is a place that saves lives. Located 20 minutes west of Escanaba, the school is part of the Hannahville Indian...

Rick Joseph

Apr 25, 20162 min read

Help Bring Hope

Change agent. Advocate. Crusader for justice. All of these descriptors only begin to characterize the profound impact Lena Juratli has...

Rick Joseph

Apr 22, 20162 min read

White House LGBTQ Summit

I had the pleasure of attending a powerful gathering called the White House LGBTQ Summit in Dearborn, which brought together advocates...

Rick Joseph

Apr 21, 20161 min read

Hunter Elementary Grows Its Mindset

Principal John Kernan lends a hand when it comes to facilitating teacher professional learning around student engagement Hunter...

Rick Joseph

Apr 18, 20161 min read

Powerful Poetry at Pattengill

Fourth grade poets gather their thoughts at Pattengill Elementary School in Berkley Pattengill Elementary School is a place where a...

Rick Joseph

Apr 14, 20162 min read

Keeping Connected in Two Cultures

Central Academy is the kind of educational environment that feels like family. This new reality began when Dr. Luay Shalabi and a group...

Rick Joseph

Apr 13, 20162 min read

Safe and Inclusive Schools for Most Vulnerable Students

You matter. You belong here. We care about you. These are fundamental principles that undergird membership in any community or classroom....

Rick Joseph

Apr 4, 20163 min read

Drew: Connected to the Community

Drew Transition Center is a world-class school serving a remarkable population of students. A Detroit Public School, Drew is a place for...

Rick Joseph

Mar 21, 20162 min read

Learning Through Teacher Lab

Our third and final teacher lab experience of the school year provided Covington teachers with power opportunities to observe colleagues...

Rick Joseph

Mar 17, 20161 min read

MACUL Makerspace Magic

The best professional conference experiences I have had are ones that involve interactions with students. At the MACUL Conference in...

Rick Joseph

Mar 11, 20161 min read

From Central America to Clawson

As part of a meeting of the Job-Embedded Professional Learning Network, I had the opportunity to tour classrooms at Clawson Middle School...

Rick Joseph

Mar 10, 20162 min read

Reading All Around in Vandercook Lake

I had the pleasure of facilitating a professional learning experience with colleagues at Vandercook Lake High School in Jackson County. I...

Rick Joseph

Mar 9, 20161 min read

Brimming With "Entusiasmo"

I left Roberto Clemente Academy, a Detroit Public School, with a smile on my face and warmth in my heart. The students in Kim Kyff's...

Rick Joseph

Mar 3, 20161 min read

Stateside on Michigan Radio

I had the opportunity to appear on Stateside with Lester Graham on Michigan Radio WUOM 91.7 FM to discuss the funding crisis facing...

Rick Joseph

Feb 25, 20161 min read

The Legendary Carlie

I have told the story of Carlie many times this year. Whether in keynote speeches or private conversations, Carlie Suris remains a...

Rick Joseph

Feb 24, 20161 min read

Have you Ever Considered Teaching?

I had the opportunity to ask students at U of D Jesuit High School and Academy this question as part of their annual Career Fair. My hope...

Rick Joseph

Feb 23, 20161 min read

#StandWithFlint

My greatest challenge as Michigan Teacher of the Year is to be relevant. To make a difference. To do something that matters to someone...

Rick Joseph

Feb 19, 20161 min read

Western Rising From the InsideOut

Student voices matter. I was thrilled on a recent visit to Western International High School, a Detroit Public School close to the...

Rick Joseph

Feb 12, 20161 min read

Geniuses - Each and Every One

Genius is extraordinary intelligence...this definition describes each and every one of you. This "genius" quote from The Junkyard Wonders...

Rick Joseph

Feb 12, 20162 min read

Great Things Happening in Greenville

Greenville, a community of over 8,000 people located 35 minutes northeast of Grand Rapids, was once known as the Refrigerator Capital of...

Rick Joseph

Feb 11, 20162 min read