At Tri County Area Schools, we believe some of the very best educators are already part of our school family. That is why we are excited to celebrate the success of one of our own.
Congratulations to Lacey Elton on successfully completing Michigan's Talent Together educator apprenticeship program! During the 2025–2026 school year, Lacey completed a yearlong teaching apprenticeship alongside veteran middle school special education teacher Vicki Maguire. This fall, she will officially join our district as a full time Special Education teacher serving students in our Middle School and Alternative Pathways Program.
Talent Together was created to help address Michigan's teacher shortage by removing financial and practical barriers for aspiring educators. Through the state funded initiative, participants complete their teacher preparation while working alongside an experienced mentor teacher in a yearlong paid classroom placement. The program provides future educators with meaningful classroom experience while they earn their teaching certification, allowing them to develop their instructional skills, build confidence, and establish strong relationships with students before leading a classroom of their own. Talent Together covers tuition and fees for accepted candidates while providing the support and mentorship needed to prepare highly qualified educators for Michigan classrooms.
For Lacey, that experience happened right here at Tri County.
Throughout the school year, Lacey and Vicki worked side by side to support students, plan instruction, and create meaningful learning experiences. Under Vicki's mentorship, Lacey gained invaluable classroom experience while developing the confidence, knowledge, and skills needed to begin her teaching career.
Talent Together is more than a pathway to teacher certification. It is an investment in the future of public education. By helping districts grow their own educators, the program develops teachers who already know the students, families, and communities they serve. These experiences allow new teachers to begin their careers with a strong foundation built through authentic classroom practice and meaningful mentorship.
We are incredibly grateful to Vicki Maguire for serving as Lacey's mentor throughout this journey. Experienced educators who invest their time and talents into developing future teachers strengthen not only the individuals they mentor, but our entire profession. Vicki's commitment reflects the collaborative culture and dedication to excellence that define Tri County Area Schools.
Lacey's accomplishment is one worth celebrating, not only because she earned her teaching certification, but because she chose to continue serving the students and families of Tri County. Her journey is a wonderful example of our commitment to educate, encourage, and empower not only our students, but also the talented professionals who choose to build their careers in our schools.
As we welcome Lacey to our teaching staff this fall, we also celebrate what her journey represents. By investing in talented individuals who are already serving our students, we continue building a strong future for Tri County Area Schools and the communities we are proud to serve.
Reflecting on Lacey's accomplishment, Superintendent Ryan Biller shared:
"One of the things I am most proud of is seeing our own people grow into new opportunities. Lacey has already made a positive impact on our students, and through the guidance of an outstanding mentor in Vicki Maguire, she has developed the knowledge, confidence, and experience to take this next step. Programs like Talent Together strengthen public education by investing in people who already know our students, our families, and our community. We are incredibly proud of Lacey's accomplishment and excited to welcome her to our teaching staff this fall."
Interested in learning more about becoming a teacher through Talent Together? The program offers flexible pathways for Michigan residents to earn a teaching degree and certification while working in schools and earning an income. To learn more about eligibility, application opportunities, and available pathways, visit Michigan Talent Together.
Please join us in congratulating Lacey Elton on this outstanding achievement. We are excited to see the positive impact she will have on our Middle School and Alternative Pathways Program for years to come.
Congratulations, Lacey! We are proud of you and excited for all that lies ahead.