From the federal level down to local districts, schools, and classrooms, more issues than ever are competing for educators’ attention and advocacy. The specific concerns facing early-career educators do not always make it to the top of the priorities list.

This should change — and is changing — as veteran educators and union leaders leave the profession and early-career educators become more actively engaged in professional, leadership and advocacy work.

The teaching profession in Michigan and across the country is “greening,” which means early-career educators make up an increasing portion of the total workforce.

According to the “Michigan Teacher Shortage Study: 2025 Report” by MSU’s Education Policy Innovation Collaborative (EPIC): “Michigan’s teacher workforce has grown larger each year since 2020-21.

“The number of teachers entering the profession in 2023-24 was slightly larger than the number exiting, resulting in a net gain in Michigan teachers for the third consecutive year.”

According to the report, “While the size of the workforce is increasing, the state has been experiencing heightened teacher turnover since 2020-21. Supporting and retaining early career teachers will be critical to ensure that increases in the supply of new teachers translate to lasting and sustainable impacts on the workforce.”

This is the focus of MiNE (Michigan New Educators): to support and retain early career educators and empower them to become leaders in their schools, districts, and union.

Newer educators and those just entering the profession need to feel supported, says Erinn Parker, an MEA MiNE representative and eighth-year teacher in the Upper Peninsula’s Stephenson Area Schools.

“It’s important for early career educators’ voices to be heard,” Parker said. “When we raise up our early career educators, we lift up the education profession.”

With this goal in mind, MiNE is offering three important events this summer. Please share these opportunities with early-career educators in your circle of influence.

Avenues of Advocacy will be held in-person at MEA Headquarters on Aug. 7 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. This event will feature opportunities to connect with other early career educators to share strategies for success in the classroom, develop leadership skills, and prioritize issues that specifically and significantly impact early career educators. Lunch will be provided, SCECH credits are available, and there will be drawings for prizes. This event is free to members. Registration is easy — sign up today!

First-Year Teacher Workshops: Two no-cost events for first-year teachers, hosted by MiNE (Michigan New Educators), will help brand new teachers focus on important decisions that need to be made to ensure a successful year. We will follow up with a series of virtual offerings throughout the year that will dive more deeply into topics raised. Lunch will be provided, SCECH credits are available, and there will be drawings for prizes. Even if you haven’t landed your dream job, join us so that you will be ready when you do.

• Lake Orion Office First-Year Teacher Workshop will be held on Aug. 5 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the MEA Lake Orion Office, 200 E. Silverbell, Lake Orion, MI  48360. Registration is easy — sign up today!
• Ada Office First-Year Teacher Workshop will be held on Aug. 12 from 9 a.m – 2 p.m. at the MEA Ada Office, 4760 E. Fulton Street, Suite 201, Ada, MI  49301. Registration is easy — sign up today!