Aspiring & Early Career Educators
MEA has three groups dedicated to supporting educators as they enter the profession: Educators Rising (EdRising), Aspiring Educators of Michigan (AEM) and Michigan New Educators (MiNE).
About Educators Rising
Educators Rising (EdRising) is our middle and high school-level program for aspiring educators. Whether part of a CTE program, elective course, or a school-based club, our goal is to support these students in pursuing their interest in and developing the skills necessary for a career in education. We offer teacher resources to help students network, develop leadership skills, and showcase the expertise they have gained in their education and training programs through state and national conferences and competitions. Educators Rising supports students in the development of the skills necessary to become effective practitioners, provides opportunities to earn college credit, network with other future educators and professionals, and showcase their talents in state and national competitions. Download our flyer here and learn more at https://mea.org/educators-rising-michigan/.
About AEM
The Aspiring Educators of Michigan (AEM) is a preprofessional organization for people preparing for the teaching profession in any of the higher education institutions in Michigan and who are not regularly employed as educators by an educational institution or agency. Local chapters at Michigan campuses improve networking amongst aspiring educators and expose members to professional learning opportunities and service projects that help prepare college students for fulfilling careers in education. Download our flyer here and learn more at www.mea.org/aem.
About MiNE
Early career educators need connection and support to thrive in the job—which is the basis of a new MEA initiative starting a three-year rollout. The Michigan New Educators program, known as MiNE, aims to build community around new educators across the state to reduce attrition and empower the next generation of union leaders. The group facilitates networking among early career educators, including a podcast, a series of “2 Minute Teacher Tips, and more. Download our flyer here and learn more at www.mea.org/mine.
Aspiring & Early Career Educators News
MEA RA approves school violence task force
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Erinn Parker, Stephenson Education Association President A new MEA task force will examine ways to address increasing violence against educators in the workplace and advocate for policies, legislation and resources to ensure classroom safety for school employees and students alike in Michigan. Formation of the task force was approved on Saturday by the MEA…
Growing Libraries with Representation
AEM President Aryana Jharia poses with student winners of the contest, who each received a gift card and book. The Aspiring Educators of Michigan (AEM) wrapped up their latest reading/writing competition with an awards ceremony for students who were asked to analyze which voices were missing from their school’s book collections. The “Growing Libraries with Representation” project, funded by a…
Early career help: tough topics
Erinn Parker The young leaders of MEA’s Michigan New Educators—MiNE—are presenting a virtual series called “Tackling Tough Topics,” professional development they designed to help newer educators survive the cold, dark days of winter. Register now! While early-career educators may have attended other professional learning opportunities centered around these topics, this one is tailored to their needs, facilitated by peers from…
THE FUTURE IS NOW: MI Evaluations are new
After many years under a punitive teacher evaluation system, Michigan educators got back the right to bargain the subject in 2024. MEA staff and union bargaining teams have worked tirelessly to negotiate local improvements and ensure districts are following the new law. Read your collective bargaining agreement for specifics of your district’s evaluation system, but here are general aspects of…
For this teacher, math+marathons=life lessons
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Raychel Figurski has taught many courses in eight years at Hudsonville High School, but now she teaches AP Calculus, AP Pre-Calculus, and Algebra I. MEA member Raychel Figurski uses humor and encouragement to help her Hudsonville math students learn to trust that hard work pays off—a philosophy she lives as a distance runner pursuing…
Students step into leadership
At a two day retreat of MEA’s Aspiring Educators of Michigan (AEM), students who lead AEM chapters at 10 colleges and universities built skills, connections, and plans for the year. Aspiring educators who are stepping up to lead in their chosen profession gathered to learn, plan and play at a leadership retreat for members from MEA’s college ranks to kick…
THE FUTURE IS NOW: Let’s bridge the generations
Early career educators pictured, L‑R: Angela Chen, Audra DeRidder, Tharan Suvarna, Padric Bolen, Allison O’Connell. Follow Michigan New Educators (MiNE) on Facebook and Instagram @mineweducators. MEA members build the future of public education and our union, but at times generational differences get in the way. Members from MEA’s early-career ranks of MiNE (Michigan New Educators) have ideas for bridging the…
Young aspiring educators provide hope for Michigan’s future
By Chandra Madafferi MEA President Chandra Madafferi addresses young aspiring educators at the inaugural Educators Rising conference at Wayne State University Ever since I could stand, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. My dad bought a few desks and an old chalkboard and put them in our basement. I even have funny memories of creating “lesson plans” for…
At inaugural Ed Rising conference MEA partners to inspire next generation
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer met a group of aspiring and early career educators before her remarks at the inaugural Educators Rising Conference at Wayne State University on March 13. “Thinking about the teacher who inspired you… it will be your responsibility to be that teacher for a student you work with. You get to inspire future generations. You get to be…
Sometimes You Gotta Have Fun
Teaching is hard. Being a student is hard. It’s important for mental and physical health to remember to still have fun, so we are highlighting fun activities enjoyed by Aspiring Educators of Michigan (AEM) and Michigan New Educators (MiNE) members across the state. In July, Aspiring Educator leaders from college campuses throughout Michigan came together at the MEA Headquarters in…