Teachers and school support staff across Michigan are struggling with a rise in disruptive and sometimes dangerous student behaviors, which is threatening student success and is causing great educators to leave the profession, according to a new survey released by the Michigan Education Association. According to the survey of 4,040 Michigan PreK-12 public school teachers […]
MEA members from every corner of the state volunteered countless hours in their communities to help elect friends of public education, from local school boards to the governor’s office. Thanks to their efforts, pro-education candidates won races up and down the ballot, including a resounding victory for Gov.-elect Jocelyn Benson, as well as a sweep […]
By Erik Edoff, Senior Executive Director, Michigan Education Association Smaller class sizes and caseloads. More individual attention and connection between each student and the educators who support them. Respect and communication between school and home, at every grade level. Educators know elements like these are always essential for student learning. Right now, they’re critical […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Two childhood traits have served Marcia Mackey through a wide-ranging career in higher education and union leadership spanning almost 50 years: Mackey loves to fight for the underdog, and she commits 100% to what she believes in. “By nature, I’m very passionate and I think it shows in my […]
By Dan Clason Clason, an MEA member in Clarkston, is the 2026 MEA Educational Excellence Award winner and Michigan’s nominee for the NEA Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence. He’s a prime example of how educational excellence and collective action go hand-in-hand — especially when it comes to the power of contributing to PAC. Attacks on public education […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor In the 16 years since becoming a paraeducator in Fraser Public Schools, MEA member Michelle James helped form a union, assisted in bargaining the group’s first contract, and held every position in her local — including her current role as president. But it wasn’t until a recent bout with […]
MEA member Aaron Bailey knows what it is like to be a brand-new paraprofessional in a classroom at the beginning of the school year. “When I first started, I had very little training, and I was lucky enough to get teachers who had 10 or 15 years of experience and could take the time to […]
Garlin Gilchrist for Secretary of State “Education makes our democracy run by helping create an informed and engaged voting public. Defending democracy means defending public schools and the educators who help students succeed. I’ll stand tall against anyone who threatens Michiganders’ right to vote or freedom to learn.” Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, MEA recommended candidate […]
