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MEA President and CEO hails return of 3% of salaries back to educators, says more work must be done
EAST LANSING — The following is a statement from MEA President and CEO Chandra Madafferi regarding the Michigan Legislature’s passage of the 2024-25 School Aid budget: “More than 100,000 school employees across Michigan will get a much-needed 3% of their salaries back in their pockets, and school districts will receive an average $250 per-pupil increase to help students learn, thanks…
MEA President statement on introduction of HB 5803, SB 911
The following statement can be attributed to MEA President Chandra Madafferi in response to the introduction of HB 5803 and SB 911. These bills propose reducing the capped rate that schools must contribute to the state educator retirement system by 7% and eliminating the 3% contribution from school employees for retiree health care, now that the system is overfunded. “We…
Rochester teacher, student unearth history of Escanaba man killed during D-Day invasion
U.S. Navy seaman Auvergne Breault EAST LANSING – U.S. Navy seaman Auvergne Breault was just 20 when he was struck by a giant mortar that knocked him off his boat, leading to his drowning death, during the June 6, 1944, allied forces invasion of Normandy, France, known as D-Day. Thanks to Rochester social studies teacher and MEA member Matt Cottone…
New report shows Michigan lagging on educator salaries
As Michigan’s budget process enters the final stretch, lawmakers must maintain our state’s momentum by passing an education budget that prioritizes increasing educator compensation so we can provide every student with trained, qualified and caring school employees. Thanks to the bipartisan support from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Legislature, Michigan has passed record levels of funding for school districts in…
Michigan Education Association honors 42 students with 2024 MEA Scholarship
EAST LANSING — The Michigan Education Association announced the recipients of the 2024 MEA Scholarships on Tuesday, honoring exemplary public school students from across the state who will attend a Michigan public university this fall. Among the 357 applications submitted for scholarship awards this year, the MEA Scholarship Fund trustees chose 26 new awardees, who will each receive $1,800. In…
MEA members explain how AI can help educators, students succeed in classroom and beyond
EAST LANSING — It is not a matter of if or when artificial intelligence will be utilized in public schools. It’s a matter of how schools respond now that it’s here. AI has arrived, and MEA members have explained how its use in schools can be a tool to help educators do their jobs and prepare their students for success…
MEA announces Congressional recommendations for McDonald Rivet and Swartz
EAST LANSING – The Michigan Education Association announced Friday the recommendations of Kristen McDonald Rivet for the 8th Congressional District and Jessica Swartz for the 4th Congressional District. “At the local level, MEA members interviewed the candidates and have made careful decisions to recommend in these races because our students need members of Congress who’ll stand up for them,” said…
MEA announces candidate recommendations for state Supreme Court and university boards
EAST LANSING – The Michigan Education Association announced Thursday that it recommends the candidacies of Justice Kyra Harris Bolden and Kimberly Thomas for the Michigan Supreme Court this November. “Justice Kyra Harris Bolden and Kimberly Thomas are committed to equal access to justice and ensuring everyone is treated with fairness and respect, and that’s why the educators who comprise the…
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…
MEA President’s statement on crisis in Flint Community Schools
Students deserve a stable environment where they can count on having a fully qualified teacher in their class from the start of the year to the last day. EAST LANSING — Michigan Education Association President Chandra Madafferi released the following statement Wednesday in response to the Flint Board of Education’s monthslong refusal to ratify a settlement agreement reached between Flint…
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