New this year: The Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts and Microsoft Showcase Schools programs are now being supported by the Microsoft Philanthropies team. The programs are highly valued and are being supported this year in strong collaboration from teams across Microsoft.

Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Experts and MIE Fellows

We invite you to learn more about our community of inspiring educators who take every opportunity to enhance their own learning, enabling them to do more within their educational institutions. In using Microsoft technology, MIE Experts build skills that have a direct impact on the future of their schools and communities at large. They also build connections with an exclusive digital community, at local events, conferences, through social media, and additional mediums.

In welcoming MIE Experts for the 2024-2025 academic year, we recognize their dedication to professional growth and their unwavering enthusiasm for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in education. Through their leadership and innovative practices, MIE Experts are inspiring students to become active participants in their own learning journey, equipping them with the skills they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. Join us in welcoming the 2024-2025 MIE Experts!

The MIE Fellows are a select group of MIE Experts who’ve emerged as leaders in their areas, motivating their colleagues and students with creative teaching methods. They actively share their knowledge and experiences, playing a vital role in a global community dedicated to advancing education through technology. Welcome MIE Fellows for 2024-2025!

Microsoft Showcase Schools and Microsoft Incubator Schools

Microsoft Showcase Schools have embraced technology as a catalyst for positive change, weaving it into the fabric of their educational programs to enhance student engagement, collaboration, and achievement.

Being designated as a Microsoft Showcase School is a testament to an institution’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and empowerment by using Microsoft tools. Showcase Schools serve as living examples of how educational technology can elevate learning outcomes, preparing students with future-ready skills.

In the 2024-2025 academic year, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of Microsoft Showcase Schools. These institutions have not only embraced technological advancements but have also created inclusive and student-centered environments where learners are encouraged to explore, experiment, and excel. Join us in welcoming the 2024-2025 Microsoft Showcase Schools!

The Microsoft Incubator Schools are just beginning their journey toward educational transformation. As they embark on this path, their involvement in the Incubator School program allows them to work alongside Microsoft and educational leaders globally, laying the groundwork for substantial, lasting impact. Their journey is in its early stages, and the opportunities for growth and innovation are vast. Welcome Microsoft Incubator Schools for 2024-2025!

Join our community of MIE Experts

In the first half of 2025, you’ll have the opportunity to join nearly 30,000 educators in our MIE Expert community. You can get started by joining the Microsoft Learn Educator Center, where you can access free professional development and resources to support your growth as an educator! Once you join, start working to earn your Microsoft Educator and Advanced Educator badges.

Nominations to become an MIE Expert are expected to open in May 2025. Prepare for your nomination by learning more about how to join the MIE Expert program.

Join the Microsoft Showcase School program

If you’re a school leader who’s interested in joining the Showcase School program, please follow these steps:

• Find out where your school is on the transformation journey by consulting the Showcase School rubric and decide in which areas you’d like your school to grow.
• Learn about the Showcase School program engagement process.
• Fill out a self-nomination form for your school.

Note that all schools joining the program start on the incubator path to begin or expand their transformation journey. When a school reaches the Showcase School criteria, they can then apply to become a Showcase School.

Transforming education together

By embracing these opportunities and resources, educators and school leaders can drive meaningful change and inspire a new generation of learners. Together, let’s transform education and unlock the potential of every student, making a lasting impact on our communities and beyond.

Stay up to date on the latest news and resources from Microsoft Education to support teaching and learning, no matter where you live:

• Sign up for our educator newsletter.
• Subscribe to the Microsoft Education YouTube channel.
• Follow us on TikTok, X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.

The post Welcome the 2024-2025 MIE Experts and Microsoft Showcase Schools appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

We’ll highlight some of the recent product updates and capabilities to help you boost student engagement, improve your instruction, and simplify your tasks. We’ll also share professional development opportunities to help you develop and enhance your skills. Let’s dive in and see what’s new in Microsoft Education.

Simplify your workflow with new tools, features, and capabilities

1. Get free access to Khanmigo for Teachers for US educators

We recently announced a new partnership with Khan Academy to help turn the promise of AI in education into reality and increase access to innovation. As part of the partnership, Microsoft is enabling Khan Academy to provide free access to Khanmigo for Teachers to all US educators, we’re collaborating to explore opportunities to improve AI-powered math tutoring with a new open-source small language model, and bringing high-quality education experiences to more learners.

Read about our collaboration with Khan Academy and learn how US educators can get started with Khanmigo for Teachers for free. You can also save or print this quick guide to Khanmigo for Teachers to refer back to as needed.

2. Discover new Minecraft Education, Reflect, and MakeCode experiences inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2

Engage your class with new experiences from Microsoft Education inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2. Create an open and accepting classroom with these new activities from Minecraft Education, Reflect, and MakeCode.

• Dive into a world where emotions come to life and find what brings you joy in a new Minecraft Education build challenge inspired by the movie, complete with a lesson plan and a custom world.
• Explore new brain breaks in Reflect that include stories, games, and coloring pages featuring characters from the movie.
• Celebrate the release with a new Bubble Popping arcade tutorial from MakeCode that features art and characters from the movie.

3. Teach computing skills with Visual Studio Code for Education

Consistent with Microsoft’s commitment to preparing students for the future, we announced the release of our latest product to empower the next generation of developers—Visual Studio Code for Education, a free online computer science education platform. Visual Studio Code for Education is designed for students and educators and provides integrated curriculum and a sandbox coding environment for everyone, with zero setup.

Get started with Visual Studio Code for Education and see how it can be a valuable resource in your classroom!

4. Practice summer reading with Reading Coach

School may be out for summer in many places across the northern hemisphere, but learning doesn’t have to stop! Have your students practice their reading and personalize their own stories using Reading Coach online during the summer break. Reading Coach provides personalized, engaging, and independent reading fluency practice by allowing learners to create unique AI-generated stories by choosing characters and settings from a curated collection of options.

One of the newest features, “Unlock characters and settings,” empowers learners to get a new character or story setting for every 20 minutes of reading. Learners can even trade characters and story settings from a whole new collection. Get started with Reading Coach online for school or home use and scroll further to learn about the new Reading Coach training course for educators on Microsoft Learn.

5. Leap into summer learning with a free game from Microsoft

Help your student stay sharp over the summer break with our free game for students, Leaps and Logs. In this summer learning game, players take on challenges across various subjects including English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Coding, and Arts/Music. The free summer learning activities in Leaps and Logs can be completed by students of most ages (age 8 or older recommended) and players can engage with Leaps and Logs in two different ways: digitally or on paper (with access to a device for embedded task links).

Visit Leap into summer learning with a game from Microsoft for full game directions and the Leaps and Logs game board.

6. Check out the new AI enhancements in Microsoft Teams for Education

New features in Microsoft Teams for Education, a powerful communication app for schools, leverage AI to help you draft content like rubrics and assignment instructions, all while keeping the educator in control.   

• Using generative AI to create rubrics in Assignments: With generative AI integrated into Assignments, enter what you want the rubric to assess, and Assignments will suggest criteria and complete the rubric for you.
• Using generative AI to create instructions in Assignments: Get multiple suggestions for how to enrich the content, such as adding more details, adding learning objectives, emphasizing key concepts, and even making your assignments more interesting. After the content is created, you can make further edits and updates as you go.

Visit What’s New in Microsoft EDU | May 2024 to learn about all the new updates in Microsoft Teams for Education.

7. Explore the new wild wisdom activities collection in Microsoft Reflect

We’re excited to introduce the wild wisdom activities collection in Reflect, featuring stories and coloring pages centered around nature. Reflect is a Learning Accelerator that helps students build important social, emotional, and academic skills by offering quick check-ins, intentional brain breaks, mindfulness activities, and actionable data. Each story in the wild wisdom collection is paired with a corresponding coloring page and highlights the fascinating behaviors of various animals—from dolphin friendships to elephant empathy, and penguin teamwork.

Explore the engaging stories and coloring pages in the new wild wisdom activities collection in Reflect.

8. Enrich teaching and learning experiences with Microsoft Forms updates

Microsoft Forms helps educators assess student progress and create engaging, interactive learning experiences for their students. Check out these updates in Microsoft Forms to easily access your responses and insert a form into a Stream video.

• Form or quiz data sync to Excel: You can now access all your responses in Excel for the web. New responses will sync automatically in real-time, while also leveraging Excel’s robust functions to analyze and evaluate your class’s performance.
• Embed Forms and callouts into Stream videos: You can now insert a form or quiz directly into a Stream video. As the video plays to a specific moment, the form or quiz will appear to the students. Once they’ve completed the form or quiz, they can continue watching the video, providing you with a new way to enhance engagement and assess comprehension in real-time.

Read What’s New in Microsoft EDU | May 2024 to learn about all the latest updates in Microsoft Forms.

9. Adding Universal Print value for educational organizations

Many schools have told us that they need simpler printing solutions and more predictable costs to manage their budgets effectively. To help educational organizations meet their printing needs, we recently announced licensing changes that will address both these issues. Organizations with Microsoft 365 A3 and Microsoft 365 A5 licenses¹ now receive 100 print jobs per license per month. This means that most organizations can use Universal Print with no extra cost if they have eligible licenses.

Read the article Adding Universal Print value for educational organizations to learn more about Universal Print and the new increased print volume.

Stay ahead with professional development opportunities and events

10. Take the new Reading Coach course on Microsoft Learn

Learn how to use Reading Coach, a free tool that uses AI and built-in fluency detection to personalize reading content and practice for learners, with a new training module on Microsoft Learn. The new course will help you understand how to access Reading Coach and use the tool in your classroom. It’ll also help you learn how to describe the core reading functionality of the tool, and how to best use the different reading modes to support your students’ reading fluency.

Take the new Build reading fluency with Reading Coach training module on Microsoft Learn and learn how to get started with Reading Coach.

11. Recharge and explore with summer learning for educators

Many educators in the northern hemisphere are getting ready to take a well-deserved break for the summer. We know that many of you embrace this opportunity to explore new things, so we’ve curated a list of exciting learning experiences to inspire you this summer. These free, flexible professional development resources for teachers allow you to move at your own pace and can be accessed anytime, anywhere.

Visit Recharge and explore with summer learning for educators to tap into our collection of free professional development resources for teachers.

Tap into new possibilities for innovation in education

12. Become an MIE Expert, Showcase School, or Incubator School for 2024-2025

The future is here, and it’s time to step into the spotlight as a beacon of educational innovation. The Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Expert nominations for the 2024-2025 academic year are open until June 17, 2024, and Showcase School nominations are opening soon. This is your opportunity to shine! Being part of these programs means actively participating in a global movement that redefines education through technology.

Check out the article Become an MIE Expert, Showcase School, or Incubator School for 2024-2025 to learn how to nominate yourself and your school.

Whether you want to discover new ways to engage your students, expand your learning, or tap into possibilities for innovation at your school, Microsoft Education has new features and experiences for you to explore. Happy teaching!

¹ Users with Student Use Benefit licenses can print with Universal Print, but these licenses do not contribute print jobs to the pool. See Product Terms for details about Student Use Benefits and Academic Programs.

The post Discover 12 new ways to enhance your teaching with Microsoft Education appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

To better understand what skills employers are prioritizing, Microsoft commissioned International Data Corporation (IDC) to interview more than 800 business and IT leaders worldwide. The findings, captured in a newly released IDC InfoBrief, Thriving in an AI-driven Future: Defining Critical Skills and Tools as Jobs Evolve,* highlight a need for not only technical and AI-related skills, but also human skills development. The report explores what skills and tools are most critical to success, targeting roles in IT and line of business (LOB) areas such as marketing, sales, HR, operations, and finance.

Skills development has gone from an anchor experience in higher education to being an ongoing experience as part of the flow of work. Whether starting as a new graduate or an experienced professional leader, the end goal is to adapt and learn the most critical tools for driving productivity, business and organizational success.

Amy Loomis, Ph.D., IDC Research Vice President, Future of Work

Read the IDC InfoBrief Thriving in an AI-driven Future: Defining Critical Skills and Tools as Jobs Evolve to learn about the key skills and tools that are critical to success in the workplace.

Key findings: Build proficiency in productivity tools and human skills

As technologies like AI become more commonplace, it’s increasingly important to build proficiency in productivity tools with generative AI embedded in them, including those that workers are already using.

Findings from the IDC InfoBrief, Thriving in an AI-driven Future, show three top technical skills ranked by the percentage of respondents for two groups: IT and LOB. The skills are ranked as follows: Microsoft Office 50% IT, 66% LOB; data management 35% IT, 39% LOB; project management 34% IT, and 35% LOB.

When it comes to the technical skills prioritized by IT and business leaders worldwide, proficiency in Microsoft Office was ranked the most important technical skill for professional success across IT and business leaders—significantly ahead of the next listed skill.

Two statistics from the IDC InfoBrief, Thriving in an AI-driven Future, about applications to know for work. Sixty-five percent of respondents report Microsoft Teams is a top tool. Sixty-five percent of LOB managers report Microsoft Office is the most important for success for their teams.

In addition, 100% of respondents shared that they use Microsoft Office every day for communication and collaboration, with 65% of LOB managers choosing it as the most important solution for the professional success of their teams.

Microsoft Teams was also identified as critical. When asked about the overall ranking of the top 3 collaboration tools for work purposes, respondents cited Microsoft Teams as the highest ranked collaboration and productivity application for work purposes, with Microsoft Office also being in the top 3.

Two bar graphs from the IDC InfoBrief, Thriving in an AI-driven Future, that list the important human and business skills for experienced professionals and new professionals according to respondents. The skills listed for experienced professionals are problem solving (49%), communication (45%), data analysis (44%), organizational skills (42%), and flexibility (42%). The skills listed for new professionals are flexibility (42%), creative problem solving (41%), creativity (35%), organizational skills (34%), and problem solving (34%).

In addition to having working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Microsoft Teams, experienced professionals and managers indicated that future success in new hires requires human and business skills such as:

• Problem solving
• Communication
• Flexibility
• Creativity
• Data analysis

Our tools continue to be foundational to success in the knowledge economy. As a leading provider of AI technology, these tools with built-in AI functionality will help ensure that students are ready for what is next in the world of work.

Paige Johnson, Vice President, Education and Media Industry Marketing, Microsoft

Certifications matter to employers

Recent LinkedIn data reveals that 20% of U.S. jobs no longer require a 4-year degree, with employers adopting a “skills-first” approach to hiring. This approach emphasizes what a candidate can do and their willingness to learn new skills.

The IDC InfoBrief confirms this trend. Of responding IT and LOB managers:

• 74% indicate that certifications from technology vendors are important when hiring entry level applicants.
• 70% note that certifications are as important, if not more, than academic degrees for hiring new professionals.
• 50% say that vendor certifications offer greater career mobility.
• 45% agree that certifications lead to more engaging roles and higher pay.

We are excited to see the opportunity industry credentials represent for students entering the workforce to demonstrate their technical skills verified with industry-recognized certifications to stand out in a competitive job market.

Christina Thoresen, Worldwide Education Solutions Strategy Leader, Microsoft

In addition to the value employers find in certifications, the IDC InfoBrief also offers companies and organizations guidance regarding AI and hiring practices:

• Align around key skills for business and IT.
• Invest in generative AI technology and training. 
• Reinforce the importance of key human and business skills. 
• Consider which vendor certifications are most important.
• Partner with educational institutions to encourage better skills alignment for graduates.

Explore how Microsoft Credentials support growth and proficiency with role-based certifications to new, scenario-specific applied skills.

Preparing for AI readiness in the workforce

IDC’s findings, as well as Microsoft’s own New Future of Work report, confirm that the need for an AI-ready workforce has already arrived. Today’s graduates are expected to be able to use Microsoft Copilot and other AI technologies as they progress from classroom to career. Skills like critical thinking and analytical judgment, complex problem solving, and creativity and originality are new core competencies—not just for technical roles or AI experts.

As AI reshapes work, human-AI collaboration will be the next transformational work pattern—the ability to work iteratively with AI will be a key skill for every employee. We’re already seeing it. Here’s what stands out from our November 2023 Work Trend Index Special Report:

• 70% of Copilot users said they were more productive, and 68% said it improved the quality of their work.
• Overall, users were 29% faster in a series of tasks (searching, writing, and summarizing).
• Users were able to get caught up on a missed meeting nearly 4x faster.
• 64% of users said Copilot helps them spend less time processing email.
• 85% of users said Copilot helps them get to a good first draft faster.
• 75% of users said Copilot “saves me time by finding whatever I need in my files.”
• 77% of users said once they used Copilot, they didn’t want to give it up.

Get started today with Copilot and explore how to leverage it as an educator. Learn more about Copilot for Microsoft 365, an add-on, to integrate AI assistance into the apps you use every day.

Explore resources for building key skills

Learn more about key skills and tools critical for future success by exploring these additional resources.

• Discover interactive projects, self-paced training, communities, and more for your students at the Microsoft Learn Student Hub. 
• Bring AI and in-demand tech skills-building to your students through Microsoft Credentials. 
• Kickstart your school’s AI journey with the Microsoft Education AI Toolkit.
• Complete the AI for educators learning path to discover practical and interesting ways to integrate AI into teaching and learning with tools like Copilot.
• Use the Classroom toolkit: Unlocking generative AI safely and responsibly, a resource designed to assist educators in initiating conversations about responsible AI practices in the classroom.
• Check out the Minecraft AI Prompt Lab to learn skills and knowledge needed to creatively use Minecraft Education as a dynamic teaching tool. 
• Explore the Microsoft Office Specialist and Microsoft Certified Fundamentals certifications available from Certiport.
• Read the AI in Education Report for the latest insights from Microsoft, partner organizations, and academia on new opportunities and challenges.

*doc #US51794024, March 2024

The post New IDC InfoBrief explores key skills and tools critical to AI success appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Join the Microsoft Education team on April 24, 2024, for an informational meeting to start your journey as an MIE Expert or Showcase School. Come learn more about each program and explore the opportunities and resources available for educators and schools. Invite your fellow educators and school leaders!  

Select a time on April 24 that best fits your schedule and join us to learn more about the MIE Expert and Showcase School programs.   

Option 1: Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 8:00 AM PT 

• Download the calendar File: Become an MIE Expert Showcase School or Incubator School for 2024-2025 – A.ics
• Join using this direct link: aka.ms/EduOptionA 
• Check the time in your timezone  

Option 2: Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 5:00 PM PT 

• Download the calendar file: Become an MIE Expert Showcase School or Incubator School for 2024-2025 – B.ics 
• Join using this direct link: aka.ms/EduOptionB 
• Check the time in your timezone 

Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert program

Are you an educator who integrates Microsoft technology into your teaching? Do you inspire your students with creative thinking and a collaborative spirit? If so, the MIE Expert program is looking for visionaries like you. As a member of this exclusive community, you’ll connect with like-minded educators globally, sharing your insights and shaping the future of education. Watch this video to meet the amazing MIE Expert community.  

How to become an MIE Expert

1. Join Microsoft Learn: Start by creating your profile on Microsoft Learn to track your achievements.
2. Complete key learning paths on Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Educator academy, Master Microsoft Teams for any learning environment, 21st century learning design, and AI for educators 
3. Review the nomination questions: For new MIE Experts, visit aka.ms/MIEEnewquestions2025, and for renewing MIE Experts, visit aka.ms/MIEErenewalquestions2025 
4. Nominate yourself: Between May 15, 2024, and June 17, 2024, submit your self-nomination, showcasing your innovative use of Microsoft tools as an educator. Note that only nominations submitted during the nomination period will be considered.  

Microsoft Showcase Schools program

If your school is a hub of innovative teaching and learning, becoming a Microsoft Showcase School can help you take your vision further. Showcase Schools are exemplary models that use technology to create immersive and inclusive experiences, fostering essential skills for the future. Check out the Showcase School criteria: aka.ms/SCScriteria2025   

How to join as a Showcase School

1. Join the Incubator School pathway: Join the pathway and access support with your digital transformation. 
2. Familiarize yourself with the framework: Review the Microsoft K-12 Education Transformation Framework to understand the program’s principles. 
3. Assess your school: Use the Showcase School rubric to evaluate your school’s current standing and areas for growth. Visit aka.ms/SCSrubric20
4. Prepare your graduation sway: Collate evidence of your use of Microsoft tools to enhance teaching and learning. Visit aka.ms/SCSgraduationsway 
5. Nominate yourself: Fill out the self-nomination form between June 17, 2024, and July 1, 2024, demonstrating how your school has integrated technology to enhance education. Note that only nominations submitted during the nomination period will be considered. 

Are you ready to embrace the future of education? 

Being part of these programs means more than just recognition. It’s about actively participating in a global movement that redefines education through technology. It’s about preparing students for a world where digital literacy is not just valued but essential.  

We’re calling for educators and institutions who dare to dream big. Are you ready to join the ranks of those driving educational transformation?   

Connect with Microsoft Education 

Stay up to date on the latest news and resources from Microsoft Education to support teaching and learning, no matter where you live.  

• Join the Microsoft Learn Educator Center. 
• Sign up for our educator newsletter. 
• Subscribe to our YouTube channel. 
• Follow us on TikTok, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. 
• Visit the Microsoft Education Blog for news that inspires and supports learning. 

The post Become an MIE Expert, Showcase School, or Incubator School for 2024-2025 appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Education has evolved significantly over the past several years, and so have the needs of educators. In today’s diverse classrooms, it’s more important than ever to use the right education technology, find ways to support all students, and help create more inclusive environments. We recognize that educators need time-saving workflows, teaching tools, and resources to help everyone thrive and reach their full potential. 

Microsoft believes that education technology has a valuable role to play in supporting the needs of both teachers and students. However, we understand that it can sometimes be challenging to adopt new education technology and face the learning curve of mastering new teaching tools. To bridge this gap and make adoption smoother, we’ve pulled together a collection of free quick start guides for you. Our PDF guides for teachers are instructive and user-friendly, designed to help you easily get started with Microsoft Education tools in the classroom. 

Where can teachers find quick start guides for Microsoft Education tools?

Check out our collection of quick start guides, created by fellow teacher Heather Aird, a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert (MIE Expert). Through vibrant colors, simplicity, and comprehensive coverage of our learning tools and Learning Accelerators, these PDF guides for teachers empower you to embrace education technology quickly and confidently.  

AI in education tools

• Microsoft Copilot quick guide
• Reading Coach with AI stories quick guide
• Microsoft Teams for Education AI features quick guide
• Khanmigo for Teachers quick guide

Microsoft 365 tools

• Classwork in Microsoft Teams quick guide
• Microsoft OneNote Class Notebook quick guide
• Microsoft OneNote quick guide
• Microsoft Word quick guide
• Microsoft PowerPoint quick guide
• Microsoft Forms quick guide
• Microsoft Loop quick guide
• Microsoft Stream quick guide
• Minecraft Education quick guide
• Microsoft Lens (formerly Microsoft Office Lens) quick guide
• Microsoft Bookings quick guide
• Microsoft Editor quick guide
• Microsoft Planner quick guide
• Microsoft To Do quick guide

Learning Accelerators

• Reading Progress quick guide
• Reading Insights quick guide
• Speaker Progress quick guide
• Speaker Coach quick guide
• Search Progress quick guide
• Search Coach quick guide
• Math Progress quick guide
• Reflect quick guide

Accessibility tools

• Digital Tools for Dyslexia quick guide
• Immersive Reader quick guide
• Reading Coach in Immersive Reader quick guide
• Math Solver quick guide
• Microsoft Translate quick guide
• Speech to Text (Dictate) quick guide
• Live Captions for PowerPoint quick guide

Our quick start guides cover a range of teacher resources and where to find them, unlocking countless possibilities for personalized and interactive learning experiences. Each PDF guide provides step-by-step instructions, accompanied by clear visuals and diagrams, ensuring that you can navigate Microsoft Education teaching tools and education technology with confidence.  

Microsoft Education is dedicated to providing technology solutions that can save you time, individualize student learning, and set students up for future success. Explore these portable and printable PDF quick start guides—designed to equip you with guidance and support whenever you need them! 

Looking for more ways to quickly get started with Microsoft Education technology? Check out these free resources below, created specifically for teachers like you. 

• Meet your AI assistant for education: Microsoft Copilot
• Eight how-to guides for educators: Quickly get started with Microsoft Education 
• Reflect activities for student engagement 
• New ways to reflect and thrive on World Mental Health Day! 
• 4 new Teams updates to enhance classroom engagement 
• Transform assessment with new Forms updates 

The post Comprehensive quick start guides for Microsoft Education tools appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Professor and researcher Joel Westheimer sharing thoughts on the complexity of teaching in a tweet from 2019.

Educators face myriad complexities daily, serving in a role that is unparalleled in its demands and creating a profound impact on society. This World Teachers’ Day, we want to show appreciation for all the educators who have embraced one of the most challenging vocations. We want to acknowledge the remarkable skills you wield and the immense impact you have on shaping the future of our society. It’s time to recognize teaching as the formidable endeavor it truly is!

Each school year brings new feats and challenges, but we know that you’ll embrace it all, rise above, and continue to inspire and educate your students. The video is in honor of the hard work, ingenuity, skills, and intelligence that you bring to the classroom every single day. It’s also a reminder that you’re not alone in your journey—we’re here for you with resources, training, and tools to make your job easier and keep your students engaged.

If you look behind every exceptional person there is an exceptional teacher.

Stephen Hawking

Join us as we show appreciation for all educators on World Teachers’ Day and give our abiding support to one of the toughest jobs out there. Thank you, teachers, for your remarkable dedication and expertise!

The post Thank you, teachers, for your dedication and expertise appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

MIE Experts

Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Experts have demonstrated a deep commitment to integrating technology into their classrooms, fostering collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking among their students. This community of educators is redefining teaching and learning in the digital age.

The MIE Expert program brings together a diverse community of educators from around the world who share a passion for leveraging Microsoft tools and solutions to create immersive and engaging learning environments. We are proud of their endeavors and honored to support their work as they transform the lives of students.

As we welcome the MIE Experts for the 2023-2024 academic year, we recognize their dedication to professional growth and their unwavering enthusiasm for pushing the boundaries of what is possible in education. Through their leadership and innovative practices, MIE Experts are inspiring students to become active participants in their own learning journey, equipping them with the skills they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. View all the MIE Experts for 2023-2024.

Microsoft Showcase Schools

Microsoft Showcase Schools have embraced technology as a catalyst for positive change, weaving it into the fabric of their educational programs to enhance student engagement, collaboration, and achievement.

Being designated as a Microsoft Showcase School is a testament to an institution’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and empowerment by using Microsoft tools. Showcase Schools serve as living examples of how educational technology can elevate learning outcomes, preparing students with future-ready skills.

In the 2023-2024 academic year, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of Microsoft Showcase Schools. These institutions have not only embraced technological advancements but have also created inclusive and student-centered environments where learners are encouraged to explore, experiment, and excel. View all the Microsoft Showcase Schools for 2023-2024.

Join our community of MIE Experts!

Do you want become part of the 30,000+ educators in our MIE Expert community? Get started by joining the Microsoft Learn Educator Center, where you can access free professional development and resources to support your growth as an educator! Once you join, start working to earn your Microsoft Educator and Advanced Educator badges.

Nominations to become an MIE Expert will open in May 2024. Prepare for your nomination to today by following these steps:

• Complete the Microsoft Educator Academy.
• Complete the Master Microsoft Teams for any learning environment learning path.
• Complete the 21st century learning design learning path.

Join the Microsoft Showcase School program

If you are a school leader who is interested in joining the Showcase School program, please follow these steps:

• Review the Microsoft Education Transformation Framework.
• Find out where your school is on the transformation journey by consulting the Showcase School rubric and decide in which areas you’d like your school to grow.
• Learn about the Showcase School program engagement process.
• Fill out a self-nomination form for your school.

All schools joining the program start on the incubator path to begin or expand their transformation journey. When a school reaches the Showcase School criteria, they can then apply to become a Showcase School.

Stay up to date on the latest news and resources from Microsoft Education to support teaching and learning, no matter where you live.

• Join the Microsoft Learn Educator Center.
• Sign up for our educator newsletter.
• Subscribe to our Microsoft Education YouTube channel.
• Follow us on TikTok, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

The post Microsoft’s 2023-2024 MIE Experts and Showcase Schools: Fostering a culture of innovation appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Celebrating three MIE Experts

Microsoft Innovative Education Expert

To help celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, we are sharing the experiences of three inspirational women from the Davis County School District (DSD) in Farmington, Utah. Jennifer Morgan, Hollie Fisher, and Ashtin Johnson are Microsoft Innovative Education (MIE) Experts who are using digital skills to take teaching and learning to the next level.

Jennifer Morgan, a School Technology Specialist, was the first MIE Expert in the state of Utah and brought her expertise to DSD where she has helped grow the MIE program for the last six years. DSD serves over 72,000 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, with two Microsoft Showcase elementary schools and one incubator middle school that is working to become a Microsoft Showcase school.

Morgan along with her colleagues in Technology Integration Center developed a staff training program in the district that utilizes online courses from Microsoft Learn as well as in-person training and coaching. When educators complete their training, they are encouraged to apply to become MIE Experts and continue building technology skills that students will use throughout their lives. Morgan has coached educators who were once “petrified of using technology.” After growing their skills through the MIE program, these same educators have now created technology mentorship opportunities between upper and lower grade levels.

Microsoft Learn user interface

Hollie Fisher, a 4th grade teacher at Lakeside Elementary, started her Microsoft journey in DSD and quickly became a MIE Expert and Microsoft Education Trainer. Fisher excitedly brought what she learned into the classroom to her eager students. In 2018, she developed a Junior Microsoft Expert program that is now being used throughout the district. Its success has received attention from schools across the United States.

Fisher’s Junior Microsoft Expert program allows 3rd and 4th grade students to become proficient in using a variety of Microsoft tools, such as OneNote, Teams, Sway, and Reading Progress, and to develop their 21st century skills. After self-selecting to learn a tool, students take an assessment using Forms to show their knowledge before earning a badge.

Fisher states students have become empowered leaders who are able to troubleshoot, and problem solve when issues arise. Her students have supported learners in other grade levels to develop their technology use, such as showing others how to use Minecraft Education, and how to open an email in Outlook. This program helps build student agency and Fisher has seen an improvement in academic scores and engagement as well as real-world application of learning.

It gave my students a sense of pride. They were super excited about the things that they’d learned [from the Junior Microsoft Expert program] and they felt value in that. It made all the curriculum more accessible to students because technology was never a hold-up in our classroom.”

Hollie Fisher, 4th grade teacher, Lakeside Elementary School, Davis County School District, Farmington, Utah

Ashtin Johnson, a 5th grade teacher at Kay’s Creek Elementary in DSD, has been implementing the Junior Microsoft Expert program in her grade level team for the last three years. Johnson has expanded upon the program by adding an end-of-the-year showcase where students share projects they created using the skills they learned. A few examples of projects from prior years’ showcases were the development of an app, the creation of marketing materials with a business partnership, and a 3D printed prosthetic for animals.

Additionally, Johnson boasts that the accessibility features that Microsoft provides, like Dictate and Immersive Reader, allow educators to enhance learning for all students. These features also enable her students to show learning in a variety of ways, such as developing a PowerPoint, Sway, or video, in addition to traditional methods like essays and tests.

Microsoft helps students right where they are. The 21st century learning skills that they learn aren’t just applicable [in the classroom]. They’re applicable as they go on into upper grades, into college, and into the workplace.”

Ashton Johnson, 5th grade teacher, Kay’s Creek Elementary School, Davis County School District, Farmington, Utah

Explore how the Davis County School District implemented remote and hybrid learning.

Honor women with Flip Live events

Learn more about the contributions of influential women during Flip Live events in March.

A Tribute to Mrs. Coretta Scott King with her Daughter Dr. Bernice A. King

March 8, 2023 at 10am PT

Flip Event ad for A Tribute to Mrs. Coretta Scott King with images of Coretta Scott King and date and time

A global thought leader, orator, peace advocate, and CEO of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center For Nonviolent Social Change, Dr. Bernice A. King, joins us as we celebrate one of the most prominent women leaders of our time, her mother, Mrs. Coretta Scott King. Her contributions as a human rights activist for social change and peace have had a global impact. She was a living example of faith, fortitude, and integrity. It’s with much gratitude that we celebrate her life and legacy for Women’s History Month.

Register for this free event.  

The Science of Speed with Olympic Gold Medalist Erin Jackson 

March 16, 2023 at 10am PT

Erin Jackson holding a gold medal from the Bejing Olympics

Did you ever get a science lesson from an Olympic Gold Medalist? Meet the fastest woman in the world—Erin Jackson! From as far back as she can remember, Erin Jackson has loved skating and science. Hear how she put those two things together to wind up on the cover of Sports Illustrated as the first Black woman in history to win an Olympic Gold Medal in speedskating! 

Register for this free event.

Women Inspiring Change: A Talk with Heather C. McGhee & Carlotta Walls LaNier

March 21, 2023 at 12pm PT

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Heather McGhee and Carlotta Walls LaNier, two Black women who have made significant contributions to the fight for social justice. Learn about their personal journeys and the importance of community activism in creating positive social change. Discover the role of education in building inclusiveness and understanding, and how their books can be used as resources to support teaching and learning about diversity and inclusion.

Register for this free event.

Throughout the year, with added emphasis in March, we honor women who are making an impact on teaching and learning. Take a moment to celebrate with Flip and continue improving your skills with Microsoft Educator programs.

The post Honoring women who make a difference appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Today, we celebrate the accomplishments of more than 30,000 educators across 100 countries for their commitment to a culture of learning, innovation, and continuous improvement. These passionate educators joined our communities to lead digital transformation in education and worked to earn a place in the Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Expert program. Congratulations MIE Expert class of 2022-2023! See a list of educators here.

Interested in becoming an MIE Expert?

Get started by joining the Microsoft Learn Educator Center. Millions of educators worldwide have successfully completed online professional development courses, accessed resources, and shared learnings with their colleagues. Once you join, start working to earn your Microsoft Educator and Advanced Educator badges. Nominations will open November 15 – December 15, 2022, for all countries except the United States and again in May 2023 for all countries.

In the meantime, there are plenty of other ways to begin your learning journey and share your knowledge with others: 

• Join the Microsoft Learn Education Center.
• Complete the Microsoft Educator Academy.
• Complete the Master Microsoft Teams for any learning environment learning path.
• Complete the 21st century learning design learning path.
• Become a Microsoft Educator Trainer through our online ME Trainer Academy and start reporting your trainings using our EduTrack tool. Between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, earn your MIE Trainer badge when you train 100 people, and your Master Trainer badge when you train 400. You can re-earn your badge in the following years.

The post Microsoft’s 2022-2023 MIE Experts: Committing to innovation appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

To transform education, it’s critical that all teachers, leaders, and staff have the ability and capacity to continually evolve their methods and adopt new technologies as lifelong learners. Microsoft education has developed many resources for educators and other school staff, whether they are classroom teachers, school leaders, or in other roles.

Introducing the Microsoft Learn Educator Center

With the shift to the new Microsoft Learn Educator Center, we have taken the opportunity to refine the professional growth offerings we have available for educators and school leaders. We strive to support them in becoming proficient in Microsoft technologies, and in learning more innovative classroom skills through fun, guided, hands-on content specific to their role and goals.

Beginning on July 1, 2022, the Microsoft Innovative Educator badge will be retired. In its place, we’ll have a new set of educator learning opportunities to help you and your colleagues grow your skills—and work towards the Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert (MIEE) program.

Microsoft Educator 

(Starting July 1, 2022)If an educator or school leader is new to Microsoft teaching and learning tools, this learning path we have curated will help get you started. Focused on best practice and some basics for facilitating a blended or hybrid learning environment, this is the first step in a professional growth journey. To unlock this badge, successfully complete this online through the Microsoft Learn Educator Center, or through one of our training partners in an instructor-led setting.

Start Learning Path

Microsoft Advanced Educator

(Starting October 1, 2022)

Once an educator or school leader has earned the Educator badge and is ready to go deeper into Microsoft tools in teaching and learning, successful completion of two learning paths will unlock the Advanced Educator badge.

To experience all the toolsets and features that Teams has for supporting an inclusive and accessible learning environment, begin with Master Microsoft Teams for any learning environment.

Navigate through the 21st Century Learning Design learning path to see how skills such as collaboration, self-regulation, skilled communication, problem solving, knowledge construction and the use of Information and communications technology (ICT) for learning can be embedded into lessons to ensure that students are successful in their future roles.  By successfully completing this learning path, you will be prepared to take the Microsoft Certified Educator Exam.

(Note: This is an annual badge and there will be new criteria each year for educators and school leaders to earn their annual Microsoft Advanced Educator badge).

Start Master Microsoft Teams

Start 21st Century Learning Design

Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert (MIEE)

Are you an educator who is striving to find new ways to engage your students and colleagues? (By “educator” we mean either a classroom teacher, a school leader, a professional learning specialist/trainer, an instructional aide, a curriculum specialist, or anyone who impacts teaching and learning in their role). If so, and you’d like to connect with a global, professional learning community of other educators just like yourself who are constantly pushing the boundaries of how learning functions in the classroom, we would love to have you as a part of our Microsoft Innovative Expert (MIE) community!

MIE Experts will be selected by the regional Microsoft representative based on the quality of the responses to the self-nomination form, the level of innovation and use of Microsoft tools described in the learning activity, and the level of detail describing how becoming a part of the program will impact both teaching and student learning.

Start MIEE Learning

¹Aaronson et al., 2007; Jordan et al., 1997

The post Grow Professionally with the Microsoft Learn Educator Center appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Microsoft supports a thriving community of educators and school leaders who are working together to change students’ lives and build a better world. The Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Expert and Showcase School programs were created to help you learn, grow, and connect. 

Educators and schools that participate in Microsoft education programs benefit from the support provided by Microsoft on their digital transformation journey. In addition, Microsoft offers opportunities for educators and school leaders to share and exchange ideas around innovation and successes that highlight new practices and solutions through community connections, online and through regional and global events. 

The nomination period for the 2022-2023 Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Expert program and Showcase School program is now open. Nominate yourself by July 7, 2022, to become part of this coming year’s cohort of changemakers!

How to join the Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert program 

If you are a teacher, a school leader, a professional learning specialist, an education coach, a curriculum specialist, or anyone who supports teaching and learning and wants to grow your own practice, the Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Expert program is for you. It’s a community of self-driven educators who are passionate about integrating Microsoft technology into teaching and learning, who inspire students with creative thinking, and who enjoy working collaboratively. MIE Experts get access to free professional and career development opportunities and certification programs. They also share their learning by playing leading roles in regional training sessions, giving presentations at conferences, writing blogs, engaging in social channels, and more. Resourceful and entrepreneurial, they relish the role of “change agent” and work to achieve excellence in education using Microsoft technologies and innovative teaching practices. 

To join this diverse and exciting community, please follow these four easy steps to nominate yourself. 

Step 1: Join the Microsoft Learn Educator Center and complete your profile. You should have completed at least two modules in the Learn Educator Center. You will share the link to your transcript by clicking your profile picture, selecting “profile”, then selecting “transcript”. You will be asked to share the URL to your transcript in your nomination.

Step 2: Ensure that you have successfully passed two hours of courses on the MEC and earned your certified MIE badge. You must be a Certified MIE to become (or stay) an MIE Expert. 

Step 3: Prepare your nomination with our helpful guide that will answer your questions and provide links to get you up to speed on any tools you are less familiar with. Note that there are three phases to the nomination process: Sharing information about you, a scored questionnaire to demonstrate a base knowledge of Microsoft tools that support teaching and learning, and long-form answers which will be reviewed by the local Microsoft team in your country/region. 

Step 4: Nominate yourself by July 7, 2022. If you submit your nomination by June 30, 2022, and don’t make it through the scored questions, you will have a chance to rework your nomination and submit again by July 7, 2022. 

The 2022-2023 cohort of MIE Experts will be announced the week of August 30, 2022. 

We look forward to welcoming you into the growing MIE Expert community and celebrating innovation in teaching and learning together! 

How to join the Showcase School program 

Schools around the world are exploring new approaches to teaching and learning to ensure students are prepared for success in school and in life. The Microsoft Showcase School program supports such efforts, and we invite you to explore the Incubator Path, the first step toward becoming a Showcase School. 

Throughout a school’s education transformation journey, Microsoft and its partners assist in building capacity, guiding transformation, and providing early access to new research and solutions. There is a relentless focus through this Microsoft Education program on securing strong student outcomes by creating effective, secure, and efficient schools that provide personalized and predictive learning that empowers students. 

Whether your school is fully operational or is still a project idea—if you are considering a growth journey toward digital transformation, school leaders are invited to nominate their school to the Showcase Incubator Path. The Showcase Incubator Path is the initial step schools take before becoming a Showcase School. Schools will go through the Incubator Path at their own pace supported by Microsoft and its partners. Along the way, they will have access to the broader Showcase School community to establish global connections and facilitate learning from and with other schools. 

If you are an education system leader, consider leveraging the Showcase School program to build model schools to seed and spread innovation in your system. If this sounds like a program you would like to join, follow these two easy steps to nominate yourself before the deadline of July 7, 2022. 

Step 1: Familiarize yourself with the Microsoft K-12 Education Transformation Framework and review the Showcase School rubric to identify where your school is on the transformation journey and the areas in which you’d like your school to grow as a result of your participation in the program. The work of the Showcase School program is based around the Framework, which is designed to support school communities working toward transformational change. 

Step 2: If you’re part of a project to establish a new school, whether it’s brick-and-mortar or virtual, nominate your school. 

If you are a school that is open and operational: prepare a two-minute Microsoft Sway or video that tells the story through a single, clear example of how you as the school leader have led your school’s innovation in one of the following areas: vision for change, educator and leader professional development, improvement process and data-driven decisions, personalized learning and well-being, or future-ready skills.

Begin your Sway or video with your school’s name, city, and country. Your name and role should also be visible at the start of the presentation. Clearly respond to the following prompts:
1. This is what we think about education transformation today.
2. This is what we hope to learn about education transformation when we engage with Microsoft.
3. This is what we are keeping in mind as we take these next steps.
4. These are our current blockers/challenges.
5. Close your Sway or video with your school name, city, and country, as well as your name and role visible. 

Once you have completed these steps, you will be ready to fill out the self-nomination form. 

A blog announcing the new 2022-2023 cohort of schools in the Showcase School program will launch the week of September 26, 2022 

We look forward to welcoming you into the Incubator Path of the Showcase School program!

The post Make an impact with Microsoft education programs! appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

From social-emotional learning to STEM, our Office Hours sessions are quick and useful guides that you can watch in just a few minutes. Here are some of our latest: 

Support SEL with Microsoft Teams with Toney Jackson, MIE Expert and Teacher: Support your students’ well-being throughout the school year—right within Teams. Whether you’re using the Reflect app to check on students’ feelings, or Insights to gauge their participation, boost social-emotional learning with various Teams tools. 

Teach and learn from anywhere with Teams with Rory Yakubov, MIE Expert and High School Math Teacher: Teams tools can also boost student engagement. Whiteboard lets students collaborate in real time on a digital canvas, Group Assignments lets students submit one final project together and get group or individual feedback, and in Teams chat students can participate in one-on-one or group conversations that their teachers can securely initiate.  

Introductory Training on Office 365 with Callie Evans, MIE Expert and Educator: Explore all the free courses available in the Microsoft Learn Educator Center —formerly known as the Microsoft Educator Center—for everything from blended learning to STEM. Another free resource? The Microsoft Innovative Educator Program for teachers transforming the world of education. 

Empower student voice and choice with Flipgrid with Jake Knight, MIE Expert and Educator: Foster meaningful class connections with tools such as Flipgrid, where you can pick engaging topics and discuss them using creative elements like videos, text, emojis, inking, and more.  

Subscribe to Microsoft Education’s Office Hours playlist on YouTube for more ways to enhance your professional development today. 

The post Explore online Office Hours sessions hosted by MIE experts appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.