Public Schools Work
MEA is committed to serving our members and sharing their triumphs and stories of dedication to their students and communities. Amazing educators are doing extraordinary things in the classroom and beyond – and we want to ensure communities know it!
Have a positive story about Michigan public education to share? Let us know at publicaffairs@mea.org (include any pictures or links when you email us).
Learn more about MEA’s efforts to spread the good news about public education at WeLovePublicEd.org.
Updates
Public Schools Work
Senior leader wins Brunner Award
Percy Brown By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Over a 45-year career as a paraeducator in Ann Arbor Public Schools and a union leader in Michigan, MEA member Percy Brown has traveled the country teaching others in his role how to build strength and respect for school support staff and the important work they do. An early advocate of union…
Alternative educator is new Michigan Teacher of the Year
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor MEA member Corey Rosser was named the 2025‑25 Michigan Teacher of the Year at a ceremony in May attended by his students. When MEA member Corey Rosser first sought a teaching job after college 20 years ago, the landscape was competitive and his only offer came from a school that didn’t fit the dream…
MEA supports new educators
Landen Robinson (far right) is pictured with other aspiring educators attending the Next Gen Teachers Program, a collaboration between MEA and Wayne State University Landen Robinson is a rising sophomore in the College of Education at Wayne State University, but he first fell in love with teaching in high school. Robinson spent two years in a Teacher Cadet program at…
In para-to-teacher project, classroom aides level up
Justin Harper earned a degree and certification through a partnership between Eastern Michigan University and Washtenaw ISD. By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor In June of 2021, MEA member Justin Harper and two co-founders formally launched a free program for youth in the Ypsilanti-Ann Arbor area, focusing on sports as a tool for teaching kids about health and nutrition along…
‘Doing what’s right for the next generation’: High schoolers explore education careers
Holland High School graduate Liebbe Martinez (left) is a college student pursuing a teaching career after completing three semesters in a new HHS class for aspiring educators created and taught by MEA member Sarah Le Febre (right). By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor MEA member Sarah Le Febre realized last spring she didn’t know how many years she’d accumulated in…
Shoe Club Nation seeks “Educator All-Stars” to expand statewide
Shoe Club Nation, a nonprofit organization founded by Michigan educator Matt Hamilton, is launching a search for “Educator All-Stars” to help expand the program to middleschools across Michigan. Hamilton, who was recently named the National Education Association Foundation’s 2025 Award for Teaching Excellence, created the Shoe Club 17 years ago in East Jordan, Michigan, following two tragic student deaths that…