A 40-year educator, Brenda Massie has worked for 20 years in Ludington schools where she teaches fifth and sixth grade, supervises the Safety Patrol program, and leads after-school math programs — all in addition to serving as the local union’s chief negotiator and grievance chair since 2010.

“My first job is to teach and develop the students sitting in front of me each day,” Massie explained. “I truly believe if I didn’t give that piece a 100% of my effort, I shouldn’t be taking on any extra duties.”

Massie’s commitment to the Ludington community itself is remarkable. She was a founding board member and later director of West Shore Family Support. In this role, she helped families navigate unique situations to help prepare their children to become successful in the classroom and beyond.

Massie has successfully negotiated 14 contracts for her local union, including recovering steps and a raise from prior years they were frozen.

She, along with former superintendent Jason Kennedy, played a pivotal role in her district securing much-needed federal aid during the COVID-19 pandemic to serve Ludington students and families. She worked with Kennedy to secure a Continuity of Learning Agreement during the pandemic.

The agreement helped students and staff navigate through unusual circumstances with teaching and learning, said Andrea Knowles, a first grade teacher in Ludington who nominated Massie for the award.

“She bargained for members to remain financially whole while also ensuring that students received the highest-quality education possible,” Knowles said.

In her acceptance speech at the MEA Winter Conference, Massie thanked educators in the audience for all the work they do.

“I’m just really humbled to stand here when I know that everyone in this room is a servant,” she said. “You wouldn’t be in this profession—you wouldn’t do all you do—if you didn’t have a servant’s heart. And so I thank all of you for all the service you give.”