Newsroom
Three months remain to spend federal school rescue funds
Michigan schools face a critical deadline with only three months remaining to use $650 million in remaining ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds to address the evolving educational challenges brought on by the pandemic. The deadline for spending these funds is September 30, 2024. A total of $5.63 billion was received by Michigan schools, with the largest allocation…
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…
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…
Art teacher wins MEA-MAEA Exhibition with self portrait
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor "Grow Where Planted," a self-portrait in colored pencil by MEA member Amber Thompson, won Best in Show in the 60th Annual MEA-MAEA Art Acquisition Purchase Exhibition. Thompson is an art teacher in Genesee County's LakeVille Community Schools. The self-portrait in colored-pencil that MEA member Amber Thompson entered into this year’s 60th Annual MEA-MAEA Art…
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…
Portage Public Schools and Air Zoo: Fueling Student Curiosity in Science
Students created a human circuit with electrosticks by holding hands. When Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding became available in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Portage Public Schools educators embraced the opportunity to bolster student interest in the wonders of flight, science and technology. The Portage educators planned to apply the federal funding, made possible by President…
ARP funds help Northview students reconnect, reengage post-pandemic
Northview students participate in the BASE rock-climbing club. Educators in West Michigan’s Northview Public Schools realized students required more than tutoring and other academic supports to reintegrate into school life following months of isolation during the pandemic. To help students reconnect with friends and re-engage with school activities, the Northview educators designated American Rescue Plan funds to launch the Belonging…
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…
Meeting Space Requests
If your group/team would like to reserve meeting space at MEA Headquarters, please complete the form linked here. Please submit the completed form along with any questions you may have to Dominique Muse at dmuse@mea.org. You can also contact her by phone at (517) 337-5491. To ensure enough time for processing, please submit this form 14 days before your event.…