MEA member Matt Hamilton added a brilliant new chapter to his inspiring story on Friday when he was chosen from among five finalists for one of education’s highest honors: the 2025 NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence. A 23-year middle school teacher in East Jordan, Hamilton was nationally honored for his work teaching history […]
At MEA’s Winter Conference in February, four 2025 MEA Awards for Human Rights and Excellence were presented to exemplary MEA members. Instructional Excellence Award: Nicki Strach A 10-year paraeducator in Reed City and vice president of her local union, Nicki Strach has worked to implement innovative literacy programs while making sure every one—regardless of behavioral […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor In a passionate address before a capacity crowd at the MEA Winter Conference last week, Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Warren) recalled her mother walking her up to the yellow school bus as her earliest memory from youth. Born in Thailand, Xiong immigrated to the U.S. with family at age three in […]
On Wednesday, Feb. 5, Governor Whitmer’s 2025-26 budget recommendations were presented to the Legislature. This is the first step in the state budget process for the year, with the Republican-controlled House and Democratic-controlled Senate beginning work on their plans beginning later this spring. Here are the highlights for the school aid and higher education budgets: […]
Bipartisan coalition shows we can all work together to improve public schools By Chandra Madafferi, Michigan Education Association President and CEO Michigan students need us to cooperate with one another and help improve our local schools because, despite many innovative public education initiatives across the state, we do not have a system of excellence — […]
The Democratic-led state Senate filed a lawsuit on Monday to compel Republican House Speaker Matt Hall to transmit House Bill 6058 and eight other bills to Gov. Whitmer for a signature as the state constitution requires for all measures passed by both chambers of the Legislature. Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) held a […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor UPDATE FEB. 3: Today the Democratic-led state Senate filed a lawsuit to compel Republican House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.) to follow the state constitution and transmit House Bill 6058 and eight other bills held in limbo to Gov. Whitmer for a signature. Read more. MEA member Kim Sandefur normally teaches […]
MEA members across Michigan are finding new and innovative ways to address the pressing mental health needs of Michigan’s public school educators and their students. Two MEA members — one in West Bloomfield and another in the Upper Peninsula — are taking bold action to help address mental health concerns in the classroom and beyond. […]
The new House leadership under Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.) has yet to present House Bill 6058 to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her review. This critical legislation, passed by the Legislature last month, would rein in skyrocketing health care costs for teachers, school support staff and other public employees. The State Constitution clearly states that, […]
By Chandra Madafferi, Michigan Education Association President and CEO UPDATE: Visit www.mea.org/fixhealthcare for the latest on this legislation. Just weeks ago, many of our kids’ best and brightest educators were heading toward a financial crisis — but thanks to advocacy by the Michigan Education Association and other unions, state lawmakers have averted a crisis that […]
