Author: Elena Helmer
ARP funds help Northview students reconnect, reengage post-pandemic
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 and After School […]
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 […]
Huron students benefit from COVID relief funding for trauma, mental health
Amid the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Huron School District educators recognized the rise in student trauma and behavioral health concerns and immediately took steps to address both pressing issues. Specialized training was initiated for district social workers and counselors, fueled by federal funding from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. The goal was […]
Higher education budget increases coming in budget negotiations
In addition to positive budget proposals for PreK-12 schools, state budget proposals for community colleges and universities are strong as well for 2024-25. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s budget plan, that came out the beginning of February, calls for a 2.5% increase in funding for the state’s 15 public universities and 28 community colleges. Both the House […]
Award-winning Farmington union leader shares his ‘why’ – and how
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor A few years into his role as president of the Farmington Education Association (FEA), Chris DeYonke was marking member information in a spreadsheet when he stumbled across a finding: New hires who joined the union remained in the district more often than those who didn’t join. DeYonke gathered all […]