This well-deserved recognition highlights a true commitment to going above and beyond in the classroom by bringing agriculture and natural resource education to her students in meaningful, engaging ways. 🌱🚜
Ms. Rau's efforts help students connect what they learn to the world around them, shaping future leaders and deepening understanding of how vital agriculture is to our everyday lives.
We’re proud to celebrate this incredible achievement and the positive impact being made right here in our community!
https://www.michiganfarmnews.com/ogemaw-county-teacher-named-farm-bureau-educator-of-the-year
Come tour our programs, participate in hands-on activities, have a chance to win a gift basket, and see firsthand the incredible opportunities available to local students. Whether you’re a student, parent, or community member, there’s something for everyone!
And come hungry—Main Street BBQ will be onsite with their food truck from 12:30–6:30 PM serving up some great eats! 🍖🔥
📅 Thursday, April 2
⏰ 4:30–7:00 PM
📍 27 N. Rempert Rd., Tawas City
We look forward to seeing you there!
Recently, some of these future educators worked with kindergarten and first grade students to observe the development of conservation skills in action. It was exciting to see the material they’ve been studying come to life in a real classroom setting.
One of the biggest takeaways was witnessing how each child develops on their own unique timeline—and how excited the young students were to help us learn. 💡📚
We’re proud of these cadets as they continue growing into future educators!
Join us for our next Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) Meeting!
📅 March 31st
⏰ 6:00–7:00 PM
📍 HW Center-Based School (825 2nd St., Tawas City)
💻 Virtual option available!
We’re excited to welcome Special Education Mediation Services (SEMS) for a helpful presentation on their FREE services!
SEMS provides:
✔️ A confidential space to explore options for your child’s needs
✔️ A neutral third party to support collaboration
✔️ Guidance during special education meetings
✔️ Opportunities for everyone to share ideas and be heard
This is a great opportunity to learn how SEMS can support you and your family!
📞 Questions? Contact Chelsea Stephens at 989-362-3006 x 1129 or cstephens@ioscoreasa.net
Our Welding & Fabrication students recently took on a real-world project—building six high-top student desks for our Auto Program!
From start to finish, students were involved every step of the way:
🛠️ Estimating materials
🚚 Receiving steel from ALRO
🔥 Prepping, squaring, and welding
Shoutout to second-year Oscoda students Daniel Lutz, Riley Wilson, Aaron Bennett, Camden Uhlbeck, and George Kirby for their hard work and craftsmanship!
The result? 🙌 Six high-quality tables built at just a fraction of the retail cost of a single replacement—now that’s skill, teamwork, and value!
The Iosco RESA Career and Technical Education Center is proud to recognize Isabella, a junior at Hale Area High School and the daughter of Brian and Angelique Barkholz, for her hard work and dedication.
We’re so proud of all she’s accomplished and can’t wait to see what her future holds!
📄 Be sure to check out the attached letter to learn more about Isabella and this well-deserved recognition.
Meet Paul “Mr. Bill” Billeter, our Welding and Fabrication Instructor here at Iosco RESA! 👨🏭
Mr. Bill has been part of our team for nearly 10 years. After a full career teaching at Whittemore-Prescott, he joined Iosco RESA as our Power Mechanics Instructor. After a few years, he began building the equipment and resources needed to start a Welding program, and even went back to school himself to earn his Welder’s certification.
Because of his dedication and hard work, Iosco RESA launched the Welding program about 5 years ago, giving students the opportunity to learn valuable hands-on skills and graduate career-ready and employable right out of high school. ⚙️🔥
If you see Mr. Bill around, be sure to give him a “Heck yeah!” — his signature saying! 😄
👏 Thank you, Mr. Bill, for everything you do for our students and our community. Heck yeah, Mr. Bill!
IRESA Culinary Arts was represented by the Culinary Team from Tawas High School — Leeland Schalm, Fenton Gustincic, and Diego Benitez. Competing from Oscoda High School in both Management and Tabletop Banquet Planning were Jamie Flynn and Gaby LaMere.
🎉 Jamie and Gaby earned 4th place for their beautiful “Spring Has Sprung” tabletop presentation!
Congratulations to all of these students for their hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Awesome job representing IRESA! 👏
A special thank you to our generous sponsors who support our Culinary Arts program and help make opportunities like this possible. We truly appreciate your support! ❤️
🎉 Exciting News from IRESA Tech Center! 🎉
We’re proud to share that IRESA Tech Center has been recognized with the MCAN Pathway Award! 🏆
The award, presented by the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN), recognizes leaders and education providers across Michigan who are creating high-quality Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways that connect students to college and career opportunities. 🎓🔧
Through hands-on learning, industry-recognized credentials, and opportunities to earn college credit, CTE programs help students build real-world skills and prepare for success after high school.
We are incredibly proud of the amazing work happening at the Tech Center and the impact it continues to have on students across our region. 👏
Below is a portion of the official press release from MCAN highlighting this recognition.
"Earlier this week, Michigan College Access Network presented individual Pathway Awards to Michigan’s Career Education Planning Districts (CEPDs), honoring regional leaders and education providers who are working to ensure students across Michigan have access to high-quality, career-aligned Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. MCAN’s Pathway Award, established in 2024, recognizes people or institutions that demonstrate outstanding leadership and innovation in bridging education and workforce development.
The Pathway Award is one of MCAN’s College Access Impact Awards, which shine a light on the individuals, organizations, and collaborations that have exceeded expectations to make a positive impact on increasing college readiness, participation and completion in Michigan. In November, MCAN gave the 2025 Pathway Award to Michigan’s CTE programs, and this week’s event was an extension of the initial award presentation.
“While we celebrated the strength of Michigan’s statewide CTE system in November, we know systems alone don’t transform outcomes — people do,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of Michigan College Access Network. “We’re proud to take this opportunity to spotlight CEPD leaders who have helped build CTE programs into a dynamic, high-impact pathways to postsecondary success.”
Michigan’s CTE programs are central to the state’s Sixty by 30 goal, which aims to ensure that 60% of working-age adults hold a degree or postsecondary credential by 2030. Through hands-on instruction, work-based learning, industry-recognized credentials and opportunities to earn college credit, CTE programs help students prepare for both college and career success. During the 2024-25 school year, nearly 115,000 Michigan high school students were enrolled in CTE programs, with a record 55,431 completing a program.
CEPDs coordinate CTE programming across intermediate school districts and local education agencies, strengthening alignment among K-12 schools, postsecondary institutions and workforce partners. The individual Pathway Award recipients were selected for their leadership in expanding equitable access to CTE pathways, deepening partnerships with higher education institutions and employers, and Increasing student attainment of industry credentials and college credit.
“My fellow Career Education Planning District leaders are building bridges — between classrooms and careers, between aspiration and opportunity,” said Robert Smith, chair of Michigan’s Career Education Planning Districts Council and director of Career & Tech Education at Van Buren Intermediate School District. “CEPD administrators demonstrate what is possible when regional leadership is aligned around student success. Their work ensures that more Michigan students have access to meaningful, high-quality pathways that lead to credentials of value.”
MCAN congratulates this year’s individual Pathway Award recipients and extends appreciation to all CEPD administrators who champion opportunity and outcomes for Michigan students."
Join us on March 31st as Special Education Mediation Services (SEMS) presents on the free services they offer to support schools and families. SEMS provides neutral, non-biased assistance to help resolve disagreements and navigate complex meetings in a positive and productive way.
This is a great opportunity to learn about valuable resources available to support collaboration and communication in special education.
📅 Date: March 31
💻 Virtual option available!
If you have questions or would like the virtual meeting link, please contact:
📧 cstephens@ioscoresa.net
📞 989-362-3006 ext. 1129
Enjoy a book-themed meal, games, stories, and fun activities while learning new ways to read with your child. 💛
🗓 March 12 | ⏰ 5:30–7:00 PM
📍 825 2nd St Suite 2, Tawas City
The quality and attention to detail truly brought this space to life. We’re grateful for a great local partner!
Spencer is a senior and second-year Health Science student from Tawas Area High School. He consistently demonstrates professionalism, dedication, and a strong commitment to a future in emergency medical services.
Spencer is certified in CPR, First Aid, AED, Teen Mental Health and First Aid, and Stop the Bleed. Last year, he participated in work-based learning at the Iosco County EMS building, where he completed ride-along activities and gained valuable real-world experience. His passion for emergency medicine grew through this opportunity, leading him to apply for and enroll in the Iosco EMT course. He will complete the program in the coming weeks and plans to sit for his state board exam, becoming a fully certified EMT in the state of Michigan.
In addition to his EMT training, he has completed extensive professional and safety certifications, including Bloodborne Pathogens, Workplace Conduct Training, Human Trafficking Awareness, Naloxone Administration, HazMat for EMS Providers, Infant Safe Sleep, the D.O.S.E. program, and multiple Incident Command certifications.
He comes to class prepared, dressed appropriately, and ready to learn each day. His focus, determination, and strong work ethic set an excellent example for his peers. We are incredibly proud of his accomplishments and look forward to seeing the positive impact he will make in the field of emergency medical services.
With any questions or for the virtual meeting link, you can email Chelsea Stephens cstephens@ioscoresa.net or call at 989-747-3800.
Thank you to Stephanie and Brandon Lichota for sharing the following original post!
What an amazing night of family fun and community connection! Preschool Family Night with IRESA was a ton of fun, and we are so grateful to have been a part of it! A special thank you to IRESA for inviting Students Leading Students (SLS) to join this incredible event and connect with local preschool families.
It was wonderful to see families spending quality time together, engaging in fun activities, and celebrating early learning in such a positive, welcoming environment. Events like this truly show the power of community partnerships and youth leadership working together to support families.
Congratulations to the winner of the $100 Applebee’s gift card! We hope you enjoy a fun and well-deserved family meal!
Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, and helped make the night so memorable. We look forward to many more opportunities to partner with IRESA and bring meaningful, family-friendly events to our community!
November: Student of the Month
Bailey Vance definitely deserves this award! The teacher cadet program has given Bailey purpose and helped her develop confidence. Bailey is always encouraging to the other students in the program. She has not missed a day of school because of the Teacher Prep Academy. Even if she has an appointment during the day, she will return for “my kids”.
At the beginning of the school year, Bailey would not walk to the office by herself to ask questions. In November, she stood in front of the entire school at the Veteran’s assembly and read an essay she and the other cadet wrote about what veterans mean to students. This was a HUGE accomplishment for her.
Bailey is extremely inquisitive and constantly asks clarification questions. She applies the concepts we discuss in class to her host students and returns to share what worked. Bailey’s curiosity shows how dedicated she is to understanding the students she works with. This makes her an exceptional future educator. Bailey volunteers in the after school tutoring program. Last year, she relied on that program as a student and now she wants to pay it forward. This is just another way Bailey deserves to be Student of the Month.
Bailey strives to get out of her comfort zone and is willing to try new things, like public speaking and trying to help a student with severe behavioral problems. Her host teacher, Mrs. Look, continually raves about the work Bailey does in her class and has requested Bailey to be her cadet all year because of the above average work she does in her placement. I believe Bailey deserves this nomination for a million reasons.
To be nominated for “Professional Student of the Month”, a student must have outstanding work ethics, no absences or tardies for the month, no discipline issues and at least a B grade point average. Iosco RESA Tech Center offers the following programs for 11th and 12th grade students: Automotive Technology, Aeronautics/General Aviation, Building Trades, Business Management, Culinary Arts & Restaurant Management, Health Science, Teacher Prep Academy, and Welding & Fabrication. For more information about these programs call 989-362-3006 ext. 1163.
Our 2nd PAC meeting is approaching on January 27th at 6pm! The meeting will be focusing on your child's IEP and we encourage you to bring a copy. There is also a link available to participate virtually.
To get more information about PAC, help finding your child's IEP, or getting the virtual link, email Chelsea Stephens at cstephens@ioscoresa.net.
