By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor At one time several years ago MEA members Nikoji Smith and Erika Carpenter feared to call the federal office that manages student loans, despite the fact that both carried student loan debt they’d heard might eventually qualify for forgiveness. Avoidance seemed easier — their high debt amounts felt stressful, they […]
By Shana Saddler Michigan summers have a special place in my heart as a time for many educators to recharge their spirit and spend quality time with family and friends. Last summer I experienced one of the most frightening yet joyful times in my life – one that reminded me what it means to be […]
Kristin Crane is a busy wife, mom of four, AEM member, and brand new teacher. She also exemplifies resilience and dedication to public education. She knows the difference that educators make for their students and communities every day. Crane has worked in Gibraltar School District as a paraprofessional and long‑term substitute teacher. Often teachers leave very simple […]
Let’s start with the good news. In June Congress passed the first significant gun legislation in three decades — changes that had been unthinkable just a few weeks earlier — thanks to intense public pressure after 19 fourth graders and two teachers were brutally murdered by a teenager with an AR‑15 in Uvalde, Texas. The bipartisan bill […]
MEA’s Center for Leadership and Learning is holding a series of free afternoon webinars this week and next on topics such as classroom management, motivating students, building a basic website for school projects and more. The Summer Essential Webinar series brings you powerful ideas and strategies that will be the most impactful for you as […]
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently signed a historic education budget that will alleviate many of the hurdles facing those who are considering a career in education but can’t afford it. In addition to a monumental increase to education funding as a whole, the 2022-23 education budget includes: $305 million for a Future Educators Fellowship to provide […]
EAST LANSING – Following an earlier announcement about continuing recommendations for several incumbent candidates, the Michigan Education Association on Tuesday issued the following candidate recommendations for the Nov. 8 general election: Michigan Supreme Court: Kyra Harris Bolden State Board of Education: Mitchell Robinson Michigan State University Board of Trustees: Renee Knake Jefferson and Dennis Denno […]
EAST LANSING — The Michigan Education Association on Friday praised the education budget agreement reached by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and lawmakers from both parties, and educators are urging state leaders to continue working together to find solutions to the challenges facing our schools. “The Michigan Education Association praises Gov. Whitmer and legislative leaders for coming […]
Support our Students Our kids’ future is at stake. We all want a future where our kids are given every opportunity to succeed. But right now, our public schools are facing: Teacher and school staff shortages Dishonest attacks in an effort to divide teachers and parents Lack of funding for the mental health support our [...]
EAST LANSING — Prior to the August primary election, 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 MEA members who serve on S&R committees, based on policies […]
