Thank you, Amber Arellano!

After 10+ years at EdTrust-Midwest, Executive Director Amber Arellano will be starting a new professional chapter this fall.    

EdTrust-Midwest commends Amber for her longstanding dedication to educational excellence. Under her leadership and working with many partners, EdTrust-Midwest has built a movement to ensure that all Michigan student – no matter their race, background or zip code – have access to a high-quality public education.

EdTrust-Midwest’s many wins include:

• Advanced system changes to support students, especially vulnerable students: Today, thanks to the work of ETM and our partners, Michigan has a new system designed to identify young learners with characteristics of dyslexia and provide the supports that they deserve and need to succeed as early readers. EdTrust-Midwest also has led Michigan to make major strides in its investment in English Learner students, among many other changes.
• National Model: Michigan has gone from having one of America’s least fair school funding systems to among the first dozen in the U.S. for considering concentration of poverty in funding. New America, Bellwether, SXSW and the Education Writers Association are among the respected national organizations that have lauded EdTrust-Midwest and our partners for making Michigan a national model for its new school funding system.
• Collective Impact: The Michigan Partnership for Equity and Opportunity (MPEO), a powerful statewide coalition, is among the tables of bi-partisan leaders and organizations that EdTrust-Midwest has organized, led and convened. Arellano has co-led MPEO since its inception in 2020.
• Changed Narratives: For years, EdTrust-Midwest worked to build knowledge among leaders and organizations across the state about Michigan’s educational challenges and opportunities. Over the last decade, the public dialogue has shifted from “Do we have a problem?” to one that is focused on tackling the state’s structural educational challenges. EdTrust-Midwest has played a major role in this important shift.

Thank you, Amber, for your many years of service – and all you’ve done to champion educational excellence for Michigan’s students!