Build a digital learning program with confidence.
You don’t need to hand off instruction to expand learning.
With Collaborative, your teachers stay connected to students, lead the learning experience, and bring their expertise into the classroom. We provide the course design, content, and systems, along with training, support, and tools to ensure successful implementation.
Teachers stay at the center of the learning experience, with more support behind them.
Offering students varied, flexible, and customized learning options is no longer a luxury. It’s an expectation. The result? Schools and districts that offer high-quality digital learning options to their communities maintain enrollment levels compared to those that don’t.
Whether you’re building an online program, seeking to improve the quality of your existing one, or simply desire vetted digital content to supplement in-person instruction, we can make your life easier and boost student outcomes.
Our collaborative partnerships allow you to put online learning into the hands of local teachers. We’ll provide high-quality digital content — easily modified to each teacher’s instructional style — and train your staff in best practices for engaging students online.
A collaborative partnership might be a good fit for your school or district if…
- You’d prefer that local staff teach your online students.
- You want to launch or expand online learning quickly without building or managing your own system.
- You either don’t have an online learning program yet, or your current program feels too difficult to manage or scale.
- You’d love a simpler solution to navigate scheduling conflicts and offer students a more comprehensive range of courses.
- You want to offer more flexible learning options to families while keeping students enrolled in your district.
- You don’t want to ask staff to build courses from scratch, but you still want them to personalize instruction using high-quality, ready-to-use content.
- You want students to learn 21st-century skills that prepare them for college and the workplace, including digital literacy and communication.
- You have innovative staff who’d be thrilled to have the opportunity to supplement in-person instruction with high-quality digital content.
Why partner with us?
Turnkey courses and systems
Partner with us to access turnkey courses and systems that save time, reduce complexity, and deliver high-quality learning experiences from day one. We handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on supporting learners and achieving results.
Your teacher leads and grows
Your teachers lead the course while we provide the support behind the scenes. Through comprehensive onboarding and ongoing professional development, your staff continually builds the skills and confidence to deliver high-quality online learning.
Dedicated support team
As a collaborative partner, you won’t need to call a 1-800 number for support. Instead, you’ll have direct access to dedicated Michigan Virtual staff who serve as your primary point of contact, along with experienced online instructors who are experts in our courses, content, and online teaching.
The professional development experience
The training that you and your staff will receive through this partnership goes beyond a singular, one-and-done training event. Instead, this experience is continuous, ongoing, and as-needed.
Here’s a sneak peek into what this professional development looks like:
Introductory training for staff (21 SCECHs)
A comprehensive, introductory training course in which staff will learn how to utilize the Brightspace LMS, leverage effective practices for online pedagogy, and modify online courses to fit their needs.
Onboarding for school leaders
An optional, 2-hour onboarding course for administrators that overviews effective practices for online learning, using the Brightspace LMS, program management, and more.
Instructional support
Access to experienced Michigan Virtual teachers for questions regarding online teaching practices.
Monthly newsletters
A monthly newsletter with as-needed updates, ed-tech suggestions, Brightspace tips and tricks, and more.
Mentor support
Support for the mentors of online learners (a distinct role from teachers) which includes training, resources, and an online community.
Continuing PD for program staff
Optional staff enrollment in our Online Teaching and Learning professional learning series, which builds capacity in all areas necessary for staff.
Real districts. Real partnerships. Real impact.
See how Michigan schools are using the Collaborative model to expand opportunities for students, strengthen local teaching support, and build sustainable online learning programs together.
"Through this partnership with Michigan Virtual, St. Clair County teachers have access to additional professional development opportunities, both online and face-to-face, with other Michigan Virtual instructors. And school districts are further developing the talented teachers they already employ by training them to deliver content and connect with students in a new, effective way. We're able to offer students a greater variety of classes and more flexibility in selecting classes, and our students experience the benefits."
Kevin Miller | Superintendent, St. Clair County RESA
"The Collaborative model strengthens student engagement by keeping learning connected to the teachers and community our students already know and trust. The model is cost effective and allows us to strengthen teacher support and expand student services while continuing to increase opportunities for our students."
Jamie Dingus | Executive Program Director, Brighton Shared Time Services
Our Team
Meet the educators behind our Collaborative partnerships, bringing expertise in online teaching, instructional coaching, student engagement, and digital learning best practices.
Holly Boleski
- Manager of District Programming
Holly started working at Michigan Virtual as an instructor in our science department in 2013. In this time, she developed a passion for sharing best practices in online instruction with her fellow teachers as well as growing her student’s capacity for working successfully in an online environment. In 2019 she started working with the instructors in our Collaborative Partnerships and now enjoys supporting online teachers from all over the state! Holly is also a Google Certified Trainer. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Oakland University (Go Grizzlies!) and her master’s degree in teaching from Wayne State University. Along with having a passion for teaching and science, she enjoys traveling, gardening, going to the gym, and spending time with my family.
Areas of Expertise:
Online & Blended Learning, Science Education, Instructional Coaching & Support, Teacher Professional Development & Educational Technology Integration
Christy Trombetta
- Senior Professional Learning Specialist
Christy joined the Michigan Virtual team in 2018 as a math instructor. She spent nearly 15 years prior teaching in face-to-face and online programs and also served as a math instructional coach. She has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics secondary education from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree in mathematics from Eastern Michigan University. Christy believes strongly in the power of a growth mindset in and out of the classroom and utilizes these principles to support instructors and students in the online classroom. Outside of the classroom, Christy can be found spending time with her husband and four children, attending sporting events, and reading.
Areas of Expertise:
Online & Blended Learning, Mathematics Education, Student Support & Engagement, Growth Mindset in Education & Virtual Teaching Best Practices
Build on what your teachers already do best
By joining us in a collaborative partnership, you reap the benefits of 20 years of online learning experience, which we’ll share with you and your staff. Whether you’re looking to provide a handful of online courses at your school/district or are seeking to establish a full-fledged virtual program, we’ll be by your side as a learning partner every step of the way.
Fill out the form below, and let the collaboration begin!