By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Democracy relies on active-duty armed forces to be guided by a non-partisan ethos. For that reason Elissa Slotkin remained apolitical across her high-level career in national security and three tours of duty in Iraq alongside the U.S. military. She served under presidents from both parties: in the National Security […]
By Jessyca Mathews Carman-Ainsworth High School “Ms. Mathews, why don’t we have Black History courses here?” I’ve heard this question often over two decades of teaching. In fact I asked the same question as a student at the same building – Carman-Ainsworth High School (C-AHS) in Flint – where I now work. For many years, […]
MEA member Jessyca Mathews teaches her students to find their passions and bring individual strengths to bear in shaping their world. Like all great educators, she lives her values and continually stretches her talents toward achieving big goals. Mathews is widely recognized for the senior English class she teaches at Carman-Ainsworth High School (C-AHS) in […]
Whether we like it or not, every decision about education—from school funding and academic standards to educator pay and certification requirements—is a political decision made by elected officials. It’s challenging to think of many other professions in which who’s elected to office matters more. We cannot watch from the sidelines — we need every educator [...]
Daniel Vosovic is a Lowell High School grad and winner of the reality TV show Project Runway who went on to found The Kit – a New York City company focused on sustainably made fast fashion. Vosovic and others at The Kit honored their favorite educators with new clothing to start off the new year […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor As a professor of organizational psychology, MEA member Amy Scrima knows it’s not simple willpower that prompts people to do difficult tasks. It’s hope. “When we human beings know there’s a path forward—a path toward accomplishing big, important things—nothing will get in our way of doing the hard work […]
Laura Shattuck has come to be known fondly as “Grandma” by some students at Grant Middle School in Newaygo County where she’s worked as a custodian for 28 years. The name has stuck ever since she befriended a troubled boy who first tossed it as an insult. Ignoring his intent, Shattuck began paying the […]
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 off this academic year. About 30 students from 10 colleges and universities joined the two-day retreat. The students all belong to MEA’s Aspiring Educators of […]
Click to view online. In this issue: LETTER TO MEMBERS: Elections have consequences NEWS & NOTES: Higher Ed Conference Michigan Achievement Scholarships Above and Beyond / Unit holds monster-sized meeting ICYMI / Back-to-school fashion surprise AEM/MiNE: Students step into leadership AWARDS & HONORS: Kind custodian, leader wins award MEMBER VOICES: Jessyca Mathews: Opening doors for […]
EAST LANSING — The Michigan Education Association today praised state lawmakers for approving a supplemental education budget providing $125 million in additional funding for school safety and student mental health, as well for passing legislation permanently ending the state’s 3% tax on public school employees. MEA President and CEO Chandra Madafferi, a teacher from Oakland […]
