By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Growing up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula from a family of very modest means, MEA member Ron Denning knew he wouldn’t have parental help paying for college to pursue his dream of becoming a teacher—he’d have to borrow. But that was OK, he was told, “It’s good debt.” Denning figured […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Sophia Connelly believed she was within three years of getting her remaining federal student loan debt forgiven when she joined a Zoom call with Christine Anderson, an MEA UniServ Director (UD) who helps MEA members navigate Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Anderson doubted it. Hadn’t Connelly made payments since […]
EAST LANSING — The following statement can be attributed to Michigan Education Association President and CEO Chandra Madafferi, a teacher from Oakland County: “The Michigan Education Association applauds the state Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 911, which will permanently end the state’s 3% tax on more than 100,000 veteran teachers and school support staff. “Our […]
EAST LANSING — MEA is proud to announce candidates who have earned the recommendation of MEA members through the union’s Screening & Recommendation process. The process, which looks at candidates’ positions on education and labor issues, is decided by everyday educators who serve on S&R committees, based on policies and procedures adopted by members elected […]
EAST LANSING — Michigan school districts have until the end of this month to spend federal school rescue dollars provided by the Biden-Harris administration to help students recover from the pandemic — or else lose them forever. Michigan received a total of $5.63 billion in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, or ESSER, with […]
It was a tragic event during Becky Halamka’s high school counseling career — a student suicide — that profoundly impacted her and brought to light the need for better mental health support within the educational community. “It was very clear to me in that moment that I wanted to provide mental health support for others,” […]
More than ever, it’s crucial to keep the minds of students sharp and support their social and emotional well-being over the long summer break. Recognizing this need during COVID-19, Cheboygan Area Schools leaped at the opportunity to expand summer school programming to include camps and field trips in the aftermath of the pandemic. As part […]
By Chandra Madafferi, Michigan Education Association President and CEO On my children’s first day back at high school a few weeks ago, our district’s superintendent pointed out that the effects of the pandemic still linger; far too many students continue to struggle with mental health issues like anxiety and depression, as well as underdeveloped social […]
The MEA Communications & Public Engagement team brought home eight national awards at the 2024 State Education Association Communicators (SEAComm) Conference Awards dinner in Philadelphia on June 23. The ceremony recognizes communications excellence among NEA state affiliates nationwide. Honors included Best in Show for publications (writing and design) and a first-time win for MEA Voice […]
With snakeskin-patterned shoes in hand to donate, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently visited East Jordan Middle/High School to acknowledge the impactful work of the “Shoe Club,” an initiative to empower teens through teamwork and service. The Shoe Club is led by Matt Hamilton, a middle-school teacher and MEA member who strives to help teens become the […]
