'Strengthening a Learner's Transition to Independence'

Welcome to the MITTIN Memo


Happy 2025! I hope everyone has had a great beginning to the New Year. MITTIN has been busy -- connecting with educators at the SLIP Conference; launching the 2025 virtual PLCs; and setting the groundwork for the web-based modules which will be launched at the end of January.


Research and publication is also focus of this new year. With 3 articles accepted for publication and 3 others in the peer review process, MITTIN is building empirical evidence of our resource effectiveness and their positive impact of strengthening a learner's transition to independence.


If you are interested in learning more about MITTIN, joining virtual PLCs or having a MITTIN facilitator provide an onsite workshop, please contact Kristine Gullen, our MITTIN Project Manager at kristinegullen@maase.org. There is also a QR code below to connect you to this work.


Wishing you a wonderful 2025.


Best Regards,


Dr. Derek Cooley,

MITTIN Committee Chair

SLIP Conference


On Monday & Tuesday, January 13th & 14th, over 100 Supervisors of Low Incident Populations and other educators gathered in Lansing for the SLIP Conference. Participants were able to attend sessions on Essential Elements/Curriculum, Building Capacity in Staff and MITTIN. As attendees arrived, Pam Cunningham and Kristine Gullen welcomed them at the MITTIN booth. It was inspiring to see many familiar faces—Professional Learning Community (PLC) participants, transition coordinators, teachers, and supervisors—eager to discuss how they have been using MITTIN resources with their learners and sharing valuable insights on implementation. It was clear that educators value these innovative tools and the collaborative support which enhances transition outcomes for students.


Thank you to MAASE for the opportunity to share the MITTIN resources with conference attendees. It was a great two days!

MITTIN Virtual PLC


Our last PLC session for 2024 wrapped up on December 18th. Under the expert facilitation by Dr. Lois Vaughan-Hussain, there were 4 different cohorts, as a record numbers of attendees, and over 61 participants earned stipends for creating lesson plans, supplemental materials and piloting assessments to support MITTIN modules and topics.


Just this week on Wednesday, January 15th, was the first session of the 2025 MITTIN virtual PLCs. Dr. Vaughan-Hussain asked for anecdotal examples of using MITTIN modules and video modeling with learners. Conni Sharp, Special Education Teacher at Highland Pines School with the Tuscola Intermediate School District, shared how her students explored the 'Using the Oven' module. She continued that when moving from the computer game to the classroom kitchen, students refer back to the MITTIN module when considering the steps in the process. Conni shared she was surprised and encouraged how students would state, 'In the game, we needed to preheat the oven before we set the timer and put the pizza in the oven." It was great to hear real examples of transition skills being transferred and generalized into new settings. Thanks for sharing Conni. Great work!

85th Annual Michigan CEC Conference

Registration is now open for "Michigan Celebrates Every Child." Join MITTIN and hundreds of educators from across Michigan on February 26, 27 and 28 for the 85th Annual Michigan CEC Conference.


MITTIN will provide a 1/2 day session on Wednesday, a breakout session on Thursday at 8:15am and a booth for at-the-elbow support. There will also 90 other session throughout the conference. We hope to see you there!

MITTIN Implementation & Networking


Over the next few weeks you can find us connecting with parents, agencies and educators to strengthen a learner's transition to independence at:


SLIP Conference - Lansing, MI

January 13th & 14th, 2025


MITTIN PLC - New Cohort

January 15, 2025

January 20, 2025


MITTIN in person PL - Lansing, MI

January 31th & February 1st, 2025

What is MITTIN?

MITTIN – MIchigan Transition To INdependence is a dynamic collection of modules and curricular resources which foster the development of independent living skills in the home and community. Designed to support special education transition-related instruction, these resources are free and available to all parents, schools, educators and learners in Michigan. MITTIN is a partnership of the Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education (MAASE), Michigan Council for Exceptional Children (MCEC), Great Lakes Reality Labs (GLRL) and Public Policy Associates (PPA). These resources can be found at: maase.org/mittin


Safety and Independence at Home

MITTIN currently has twelve topics which focus on strengthening skills which promote safety and independence at home. 

  • Change a Light Bulb
  • Clean Flat Surfaces
  • Clean the Bedroom
  • Put Away Groceries
  • Use a Microwave
  • Use an Oven
  • Use a Stove
  • Sweeping
  • Mopping
  • Taking out the Trash Bins
  • Selecting Appropriate Clothing
  • Recycling



Safety and Independence in the Community

MITTIN currently has four topics which focus on strengthening skills which promote safety and independence in the community.

  • Cross the Street 
  • Shop for Groceries
  • Walk Through a Parking Lot
  • Use Self-Checkout
For more information, visit our website:  mittin.orgor use the QR code below to contact us