For One, For All: MEA Organizing Stories
School support staff in Kalamazoo have taken to heart a familiar union saying: Don’t mourn, organize.
When the district’s new superintendent offered educator bonuses to teachers and paraeducators — excluding school office personnel, bus drivers, campus security staff and other employees — the Kalamazoo Support Professionals (KSP) unit fought back.
Superintendent Darrin Slade told them they were denied bonuses because they’re not “educators.” We dissent, they responded. Using powerful personal testimonies, they spoke out persistently at school board meetings, earned press and social media attention, and turned out community support.
Sadly KSP lost their battle for bonuses, but they won’t be silenced. “Sometimes organizing means regrouping and coming back stronger,” said KSP Vice President Shona Espinoza.
For more inspiration, dig into this MEA Voice cover package featuring members and leaders doing the difficult but invigorating work of organizing—building membership, strengthening bonds, and powering action.
Read the powerful stories of Kalamazoo support professionals advocating to lift pay and respect for school secretaries, security personnel, bus drivers, paraeducators, and more.
United Teachers of Flint refused to give up when the school board quashed a settlement agreement – ending a painful 10-year chapter in Flint Community Schools with solidarity.
MEA’s 2024 Paul Blewett Friend of Education award winner became a local president in the first year of COVID, and used a sense of urgency to power member organizing.
An award-winning teacher in Evart gathered courage and enlisted other staff unions to stand up against two school board members harassing and intimidating school employees.
Three local unions in Rochester screened and recommend a slate of school board candidates – among many across the state engaging in election activities with a renewed sense of hope.
An officer of the Plymouth Canton Education Association led development of Pint‑Sized PD, member‑led training on requested topics delivered monthly at a downtown brewery.
