Teachers & K-12 Certified Educators
From improving professional practice to protecting employment rights, MEA is proud to serve Michigan’s teachers and other K-12 education staff such as counselors, social workers, therapists and librarians.
Teacher News
Award-winning Farmington union leader shares his ‘why’ – and how
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor A high school special education teacher in Farmington, Chris DeYonke (center) received the Paul Blewett Friend of Education Award earlier this month at the MEA Representative Assembly. A few years into his role as president of the Farmington Education Association (FEA), Chris DeYonke was marking member information in a spreadsheet when he stumbled across…
Rochester educator named Teacher of the Year
Rochester High School teacher Kelley Cusmano is introduced as the 2024 Michigan Teacher of the Year at a surprise school event on May 7. Surrounded by over 1,600 students, family members, colleagues, and supporters, Rochester High School teacher Kelley Cusmano was presented with Michigan’s Teacher of the Year award for 2024 by State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. Cusmano, a veteran…
Federal funds aid both Wyoming educators and students
Jeremy Schnotala- Wyoming Education-Association President In Wyoming Public Schools, union leaders and district officials found a way to spend federal COVID-relief dollars that altogether honors the expertise of local educators, promises dynamic instruction for students, and offers a foothold in the profession to early career educators for years to come. The Kent County district used a portion of its federal…
‘Blessed and lucky guy’ honored for excellence
MEA member Matt Hamilton believes his willingness to take risks spurs great teaching, so the fact it also generates occasional failures doesn’t stop him. “I’m just a regular teacher who’s trying new things, so it’s not perfect every day by any means,” he says. It was a leap of faith 16 years ago – just five years into his middle…
Blind teacher and Paralympic athlete shows students anything is possible
John Kusku uses a special smartboard to teach math at the Oakland Technical Campus Southwest. MEA member John Kusku has faced extra challenges throughout his 39 years, but he learned a key philosophy from his mother who told him as a little boy: Goals might be harder for you to achieve, but you can still do anything you want. “That’s…
Young aspiring educators provide hope for Michigan’s future
By Chandra Madafferi MEA President Chandra Madafferi addresses young aspiring educators at the inaugural Educators Rising conference at Wayne State University Ever since I could stand, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. My dad bought a few desks and an old chalkboard and put them in our basement. I even have funny memories of creating “lesson plans” for…
At inaugural Ed Rising conference MEA partners to inspire next generation
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer met a group of aspiring and early career educators before her remarks at the inaugural Educators Rising Conference at Wayne State University on March 13. “Thinking about the teacher who inspired you… it will be your responsibility to be that teacher for a student you work with. You get to inspire future generations. You get to be…
Mother & daughter learn labor lessons together
Deborah Robertson and Kiarra Whitelow together earned certificates from Wayne State University’s Labor School last year. The mother-daughter duo are presidents of the teacher and support staff unions at Harper Woods School District in Wayne County. Deborah Robertson had a tough go in her first year as president of the Harper Woods Education Association in 2021. She had only been…
Veteran educator: AI ‘democratizes education’
MEA member Kecia Waddell began her career in the analog world, moved into digital, and will finish in the artificial intelligence age. A 30-year special education teacher in Utica, she couldn’t be more excited. “I’ve always integrated technology for transformative teaching and learning experiences for my students, but I’m so, so, so excited to have lived this long – 56…
Get ready—AI is transformative: ‘We have to focus on the speed of change’
Jackson College professors Mark Ott (left) and Steve Tuckey say acknowledging AI is a must; we can’t stick our heads in the sand or dismiss it as a passing fancy. By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Artificial Intelligence (AI) is unlike any technological tool that has come along in the history of higher education, and educators and institutions must immediately…