Brian J. Whiston

State Superintendent Brian Whiston began his tenure as State Superintendent in July 2015, selected by Michigan’s State Board of Education from a pool of more than 50 highly-qualified candidates to lead the Michigan Department of Education.

Whiston previously served as Superintendent of Dearborn (MI) Public Schools – the state’s third largest school district – since 2008. His involvement in education started long before his time in Dearborn. During his 10 years as Director of Government and Community Services for the Oakland County ISD, Mr. Whiston consistently demonstrated his ability to work with state government to bring financial resources to schools, lead his department to improved student achievement, and help make all schools in the county successful. He also served as a local school board member for 17 years and held the position of President of the Michigan Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA).

While at Dearborn, Whiston’s collaborative model led to a primary focus on math, reading, and writing in the elementary grades to raise student achievement and provide an environment for students in grades six through 12 that kept pace with technology, prepared them for a post-secondary education or training, and met the state’s graduation requirements. Whiston worked to offer students a variety of options at the secondary level to break down the barriers of a typical high school classroom. He established the Collegiate Academy, a five-year program at each of Dearborn’s three high schools, which offers students the opportunity to graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degree in five years, with all costs covered by the district.

His successful innovation efforts in Dearborn were recognized by the Michigan Association of School Administrators when it awarded him Superintendent of the Year honors in 2014. In addition, district programs, created under Whiston’s leadership, have won several awards including recognition from the Michigan Association of School Boards, Michigan Association of School Administrators, Dearborn Chamber of Commerce, and Best of MichBusiness.

In 2007, while working on behalf of public school districts in Oakland County, Whiston was named a Top Ten Lobbyist of the Year. He was also awarded the Gold Child Advocate award and named Michigan PTA Board Member of the Year and is an honorary life member of the Michigan PTSA.

Whiston also has taught classes at Wayne State University, where he received a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, and for the Michigan Association of School Boards. He has served on several boards and is a member of several community organizations.

Linda Forward

Linda Forward is the Director of The Office of Education Improvement & Innovation (OEII) for the Michigan Department of Education. The Office of Education Improvement & Innovation promotes student learning and achievement by providing statewide leadership, guidance, and support over a wide range of programs that have a direct impact on teaching and learning, school leadership, and continuous school improvement.

Michelle Ribant

Michelle Ribant is the Director of 21st Century Learning within the Office of P-20 Data and Information Management. The Office of P-20 Data and Information Management was established to improve educational outcomes by increasing awareness of, removing barriers to, and enhancing use of technology, data, and information in support of Michigan's comprehensive education system. The Educational Technology Unit within the office is responsible for the implementation of the state technology plan; MiRoadmap that was collaboratively created in 2017 with a variety of stakeholders.

Krista D. Ried

Krista Ried is the Supervisor of Professional Educator Certification Services (PECS) in the Office of Professional Preparation Services for the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). The PECS unit oversees the issuance of certificates and permits for Michigan educators, which includes teachers, administrators, counselors, and school psychologists. Krista has worked closely with the U.S. Department of Education to meet the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Highly Qualified teacher requirements since 2003. She regularly works with administrators and teachers on appropriate educator placement, state certification, and Highly Qualified. She also coordinates programs involving paraprofessional qualifications. Krista has a bachelor’s degree from Alma College in Elementary Education and a master’s degree from Aurora University in Curriculum & Instruction, with an emphasis in technology integration. Prior to her current position with MDE, she taught third and/or fourth grade for 10 years.

Rebekah Emmerling

Rebekah Emmerling is the Educator Evaluation Unit Manager in the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Educator Talent. Rebekah worked seventeen years in Michigan’s k-12 public education system before joining MDE, OET in the fall of 2016. Her career in k-12 began as a high school business teacher and included assistant principalships, a building principalship and many years in central office positions. Rebekah participated in the MCEE Educator Evaluation Pilot program and implemented evaluation systems under legislative requirements as a building and central office level administrator prior to joining the Educator Evaluation Unit last fall.

Brian Lloyd

Brian Lloyd is an education research consultant for the Office of Educator Talent (OET) within the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). Brian’s primary role within the OET is to provide guidance for the measurement of student growth for educator evaluations. Brian recently developed student growth measurement tools for educator use that are designed to provide practical and efficient implementation of best practice student growth reporting. Brian has provided student growth guidance through publicly available webinars and guidance documents, as well as trainings provided to professional organizations, ISDs/RESAs, and school districts. Brian previously worked for an intermediate school district where he provided consultation and professional development for the implementation of multi-tiered system of supports practices. Prior to working for an ISD, Brian worked for a public school district as a school psychologist and MTSS coach.

Ann-Marie Mapes

Ann-Marie Mapes is an Education Technology Consultant for the P-20 Office of Data and Information Management in the Educational Technology Unit at the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). Additionally, she serves as the project manager for the State of Michigan’s E-Rate Advisory Committee. Ann-Marie coordinates ongoing statewide educational technology initiatives. Her current efforts focus on Michigan’s State Education Technology Plan, open educational resources, and the Michigan Education Technology Standards for Students (METS-S) refresh, in addition to district technology planning and school connectivity.

Laural Triebel

Laural Triebel is an Early Literacy Consultant with the Michigan Department of Education. Prior to serving in this role, Laural worked as a Curriculum Coach for the Bay City Public Schools.