TalentFirst

05/07/2026

This week, we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week—and the educators who make everything else possible.

At TalentFirst, our commitment to making sure kids can read starts with teachers. Early literacy is the foundation for long-term success in school, work, and life, and it’s shaped every day by educators who show up with skill, patience, and care.

Thank you to the teachers who build confidence, curiosity, and opportunity for our kids—and, in doing so, strengthen our future workforce and community. 📚❤️

05/06/2026

Maintenance technician shortages aren’t not a future concern—it’s impacting operations today

Across West Michigan manufacturing, unfilled maintenance technician roles are affecting production uptime, reliability, and cost. Through TalentFirst’s TPM West MI Manufacturing cohort, 10 employers projected a need for ~350 maintenance technicians by 2030, with the most significant gaps at the mid‑career level.

To address this challenge, TalentFirst is launching the Manufacturing Talent Alliance—an employer‑led initiative designed to build a stronger, more reliable pipeline of maintenance technicians for West Michigan manufacturers.

The Manufacturing Talent Alliance is focused on:

🔶 Aligning employers around shared talent needs

🔶 Reducing vacancy time and hiring costs

🔶 Strengthening the long‑term maintenance technician pipeline through coordinated, employer‑driven solutions

This work is built for manufacturers who are feeling the pressure today—and want to be part of shaping sustainable solutions for tomorrow.

If maintenance technician hiring is a priority for your organization, we’d welcome the conversation.

👉 Comment below or contact Carly Smyly, MSOP at [email protected] to learn more.

04/13/2026

Early literacy isn’t just an education issue—it’s a talent imperative.

In West Michigan, only 45.2% of third graders are reading proficiently. That’s why TalentFirst is investing early and partnering across sectors to drive real impact—from classroom libraries to recognizing schools leading the way in literacy outcomes.

When students learn to read, our workforce—and our future—gets stronger.

Read:

At TalentFirst, early literacy is foundational to our mission of strengthening West Michigan’s long‑term talent pipeline. Reading is not just an academic milestone—it is a critical life skill that shapes […]

04/09/2026

When students become confident readers, everything changes 📚

Wayland Union Schools’ Dorr Elementary has been named a 2026 TalentFirst Literacy Leader Award recipient—recognized for its outstanding commitment to early literacy and student success.

This recognition, awarded to just six schools across a 13-county West Michigan region, highlights schools demonstrating strong outcomes through research-based practices aligned with the science of reading.

At a special March is Reading Month celebration, the impact of that work came to life through the voices of students and leaders. For Maddie, the journey started early: “I first fell in love with reading at school. I appreciate that our schools have good books to read. I appreciate literacy skills because they will prepare me for life.”

That foundation is exactly what TalentFirst and its partners are working to strengthen. “TalentFirst is focused on the future. We look at the students in this room and in our communities and we want to prepare you for good job, and it all starts with reading,” said TalentFirst President Kevin Stotts. “You have a world of books to read. So many opportunities await you.”

Business leaders echoed that message, connecting early literacy to long-term success. “I was in your shoes not too long ago. My teachers and staff allowd me to be curious and live an adventure through reading. We know as business leaders that early literacy prepares you for success into the future. So remain curious – keep reading,” said Scott Hill of Varnum LLP and The Hill Family Fund.

And as Michigan Representative Rashelle Smit shared, “Literacy strengthens students’ confidence and sets them up for lifelong success.”

With support from TalentFirst CEO Council members, the school also received a $1,000 investment to continue strengthening literacy efforts.
Congratulations to the students, educators, and leaders at Dorr Elementary for setting a powerful example of what’s possible.

03/27/2026

📣 TalentFirst in the news 📣 Zinzer Elementary was recognized for its outstanding commitment to early literacy—earning a Literacy Leadership Award and a $1,000 to support their continued work. 📚

This recognition highlights the incredible dedication of educators who are going above and beyond—investing in science-of-reading training, collaborating deeply, and creating classroom environments where students can thrive.

At TalentFirst, we believe strong reading skills are foundational—not just for academic success, but for long-term career pathways and a thriving regional economy.

We’re proud to partner with schools like Zinser that are leading the way and shining a light on what’s possible when educators, students, and communities come together to prioritize literacy.

Watch on FOX 17 : WXMI TV:

a school-wide recognition ceremony honoring Zinser's commitment to early literacy — including a $1,000 award.

03/25/2026

Reading is the key that unlocks potential—and yesterday, we celebrated what that looks like in action.

Zinzer Elementary students and staff at Kenowa Hills Public Schools were recognized with a TalentFIrst Literacy Leader Award for their commitment to strong, evidence-based reading practices and student growth. 📖

This recognition is about more than a moment—it reflects the daily effort of educators, the determination of students, and the leadership of a school community committed to doing what works.

As their principal Brooke Johnson shared during the celebration: “You’re showing you’re the kids that care about reading.”

And that matters.

Because when students build strong reading skills early, it opens doors across every stage of life—from the classroom to the workplace and beyond.

At TalentFirst, we’re proud to stand alongside leaders who believe in that future. As Kevin Stotts noted: “We want to make sure our communities grow and succeed—and one of the ways we can do that is through literacy.”

And as Metal Flow Corporation Owner and Chairperson Leslie Brown and Literacy Leadership Award sponsor put it: “I couldn’t do my job today without being a good reader. I have 250 employees at my company and they couldn’t do their jobs without being good readers.”

This is why our CEO Council continues to invest in early literacy—because strong readers today become the skilled workforce and thriving community of tomorrow.

👏 Congratulations to Zinzer Elementary and all of the 2026 Literacy Leader Award recipients who are helping lead the way across West Michigan.

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03/23/2026

Our visit to Lakeview Elementary was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when a community rallies around literacy. 📚

We were honored to celebrate Lakeview as a Literacy Leadership Award recipient and present a check from TalentFirst CEO Council members supporting their incredible work to build a culture of reading.

As Principal Tiffany Jackson shared, “We are celebrating the amazing dedication of our staff and administrators who make our students great readers… I love that you love to read great books.” That passion is clearly paying off—students have already quintupled their March reading goal, surpassing 20,000 minutes and now aiming for 50,000.

And the joy of reading is real: “I really love reading because every time I do I can go on a big adventure… I don’t even have to pack a bag,” one student told us.

From free birthday books from the school’s book vending machine to classrooms full of stories, Lakeview is creating lifelong readers. As Superintendent Kelly Nielsen reminded students, “The love of reading lasts a lifetime.”

As Rep. Pat Outman shared, “I learned to read in this very school. It’s served me well in life. With schools like this and literacy numbers like this, Michigan is on a literacy comeback.”

This work matters—not just for students today, but for the future of our workforce and communities. As Chairman of Metal Flow and program sponsor Leslie Brown shared, this event makes her think of her employees and others across West Michigan—because strong readers become strong workers.

Congratulations to the entire Lakeview team, students, and partners who are helping lead Michigan’s literacy comeback. 👏

To learn more about our early literacy efforts, including the Literacy Leadership Awards, visit https://lnkd.in/gb_kmyFJ

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03/19/2026

Today, we had the privilege of celebrating the first of six incredible elementary schools across West Michigan recognized for reading excellence—and what a powerful start it was. 📚✨

Holmes Elementary in Spring Lake received a 2026 Literacy Leader Award from TalentFirst, honoring their commitment to ensuring every child becomes a strong reader.

“Reading can take you so many amazing places, and that’s why we work so hard at it—and we need to celebrate that hard work,” shared Principal Sandra Smits. “Great readers become great leaders.”

That belief was echoed throughout the celebration. Superintendent Dennis Furton reminded students that strong reading skills are foundational to future opportunity—opening doors to careers, stability, and choice. And Monica Jewell of the Pennies From Heaven Foundation, one of the sponsors of the awards, shared a message of pride and encouragement: "We are all so proud of you. The skills of reading will help you in any career you choose."

Each school recognized will receive a $1,000 award, made possible by the leadership and investment of TalentFirst CEO Council members, whose commitment continues to drive meaningful, scalable impact across our region.

This work is grounded in urgency and data. TalentFirst launched the Literacy Leader Awards following the 2023 release of its dashboard tracking third-grade reading outcomes across Michigan—revealing that more than 60% of third-graders were not reading at grade level.

Holmes Elementary is a powerful example of what’s possible when educators, families, and communities align around evidence-based practices and a shared belief in what students can achieve.

Five more schools to celebrate—and we’re just getting started.

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03/06/2026

There’s something powerful about unveiling a new classroom library — especially when it reflects the dreams of the teacher and the excitement of the students who will use it every day.

Yesterday at Beechnau Elementary School, TalentFirst celebrated the final Adopt-A-Classroom Library unveiling of the year. Seeing kindergarten students gather around shelves filled with new books — ready to explore stories, ideas, and characters they can connect with — is always a meaningful moment.

For their teacher Jessica Kempema, the moment was especially personal. As she shared with us, “I was able to create the library of my dreams.”

And that dream has real impact for students.

Mary Johnson of Muskegon Area ISD captured it perfectly: “It’s changing outcomes for kids. They can see themselves now as readers.”

Hadley Streng of the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, which generously supported this library through the The L.J. “Midge” Verplank Community Impact Fund, spoke to the long-term importance of moments like this: “Early literacy education is extremely important for our young students to be successful. We love to see them be able to go to the library on a daily basis and fall in love with reading.”

When students have access to books they’re excited about, we’re not just building classroom libraries — we’re strengthening literacy, confidence, and opportunity.

Grateful to the partners and educators who help make this work possible and who believe in putting more books into the hands of West Michigan students.

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03/03/2026

There’s nothing quite like unveiling a new classroom library — especially when the students lead the way.

On Friday at Walkerville, TalentFirst presented another library to teacher Brenda Rodriguez and her students at Walkerville Elementary School. The students chose the books themselves.

As Brenda shared, “The library — that’s all them. I was just the one buying the books; they chose everything. There’s an excitement behind it — it’s like a holiday here!”

And you could feel it.

Gayle Lewis of our Adopt-A-Classroom Library partner Barnes & Noble, Inc. captured it perfectly: “We always want to put more books in kids’ hands. There are books in the classroom now — and they’re the books students want to read. That’s why I love it. The kids are excited. The teachers are excited. Now they’ll be lifelong readers.”

When students see themselves in the books on their shelves, we’re not just presenting a library — we’re strengthening literacy, confidence, and long-term opportunity.

Grateful for partners like John Wilson and the Pennies From Heaven Foundation who believe in putting more books into kids’ hands — and into their futures. Monica Jewell of the Foundation spoke to the class, saying: "We know that success starts with reading, and that's why we want to make sure you have great resources and new books. If you're a strong reader, you're going to be successful."