MEA Resources for Census 2020

By Chandra Madafferi, Michigan Education Association President and CEO As we shake off the winter blues and welcome the sunshine and warmth of spring, let’s think back to our childhoods and how it felt to go outside for recess in April without a winter coat. Think of how the sun felt on your face and how the fresh air smelled.…

The Michigan Education Association commended the Michigan Senate for standing up for educators after the Senate formally requested that a judge order the delivery of already-passed legislation to the governor for her signature. Among the nine bills the House has failed to present to the governor — despite having already passed both the House and Senate — is House Bill…

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor MEA members were joined by parents, students and other community allies in the early morning hours in front of Union High School in Grand Rapids. MEA members were joined by parents, students and other community allies in conducting Walk-Ins to Protect Public Schools across the state on Wednesday as part of a nationwide collective…

Within minutes of being unveiled last week, House Republicans passed a budget proposal that would cut $5 billion from public education – a loss of almost 25% compared to the current year. According to House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp), the bill is meant to keep essential services going during a potential state government shutdown – but Senate Majority Leader…

On March 12, House Republicans passed a resolution stating they would not present Gov. Whitmer with nine bills being held from December’s “lame duck” session – including HB 6058, which would lower skyrocketing out-of-pocket costs for public employee health insurance. At the same time, under the leadership of Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp), the House GOP caucus appealed a judge’s…

In response to Thursday’s filing of a federal lawsuit from 21 attorneys general from across the nation challenging the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education,  Michigan Education Association President and CEO Chandra Madafferi; AFT-Michigan President Terrence Martin; Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators Executive Director Tina Kerr; Michigan Association of School Boards Executive Director Don Wotruba; and Abby Cypher,…

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Mike Cook, a career and technical education (CTE) teacher in Redford, is concerned about what schools, students, and communities will lose if efforts continue to shutter the U.S. Department of Education. Over a long career—first in the U.S. Army and now as a teacher in the career and technical education (CTE) field—MEA member Mike…

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor First-year teacher Alexandra McCloskey braved cold and rain to join the national “Protect our Kids” Day of Action to raise awareness of serious threats to public education. Under gray skies and cold wet weather—at the end of a long day in the classroom—first-year teacher Alexandra McCloskey stood in a puddle on a pedestrian overpass…

By Chandra Madafferi, Michigan Education Association President and CEO I’m incredibly proud that a teacher from Michigan was recently selected as the annual winner of a prestigious national educational excellence award, as it highlights that great things are happening in public schools throughout our state. Matt Hamilton, a teacher at East Jordan Middle/High School in Charlevoix County, has been named…