[Alpena - June 20, 2025] The Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona Educational Service District (AMA ESD), in partnership with its local school districts, has helped secure more than $730,000 in Grow Your Own Staff Grants over the past two years to support the development and retention of future educators across Northeast Michigan.
These investments, funded through the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), are designed to help school staff members, including paraprofessionals, support staff, and long-term subs, pursue pathways to teacher certification or advancement in educational roles while continuing to serve students in their home communities.
Over the 2023–24 and 2024–25 school years, AMA ESD and its partner districts received the following grant awards:
Alcona Community Schools – $190,219.94
Alpena Public Schools – $378,178.33
AMA ESD – $66,078.46
Atlanta Community Schools – $35,948.00
Hillman Community Schools – $64,500.00
Total investment: $734,924.73
“These funds represent a powerful commitment to growing our own talent,” said AMA ESD Superintendent Justin Gluesing. “By supporting current school staff as they pursue credentials to become certified teachers and educational professionals, we are strengthening our workforce, addressing staffing shortages, and ensuring continuity of care and instruction for our students.”
The Grow Your Own initiative is part of the Michigan Department of Education’s broader Future Proud Michigan Educator campaign, which promotes educator recruitment and retention through a variety of targeted supports and incentives.
Gluesing added, “While these funds have helped, more work needs to be done. Districts across Michigan, and most significantly within our rural areas, are continuing to struggle with educator shortages. We must remain focused on long-term strategies that attract, support, and retain high-quality educators in every community.”
The AMA ESD proudly serves the educational communities of Alpena, Montmorency, and Alcona counties, supporting students, educators, and districts through collaborative services and regional leadership.