It was nearing the last day of school in June, and second graders in MEA member Sally Howell’s Saginaw-area classroom patiently awaited a special unveiling. With their classroom full of dignitaries and unfamiliar visitors, the youngsters listened patiently as various speakers talked excitedly of what was about to happen and why. Bridgeport-Spaulding Superintendent Mark Whelton […]
By Cara Lougheed Michigan Teacher of the Year 2019-20 “I know there’s been a lot of advice against going into education these days, but I have to say I feel a little sorry for people who don’t get to hang out with teenagers on a regular basis. They are lovely & funny & life‑renewing & […]
Center Line math teacher Robert Boccomino retired on June 14 after a 25-year career in education, but that didn’t stop him from showing up at the Michigan Capitol four days later to fight for the future of new and aspiring educators coming up behind him. “I’m doing this for the younger teachers, because now by […]
The MEA Higher Education Conference is one of the great benefits that MEA provides for its higher education members – both faculty and support staff. The sessions for the conference are developed by the MAHE Board and include sessions designed for new leaders as well as on the topics of Advocacy, Unionism and Instruction. There [...]
During her keynote speech at MEA’s Summer Conference last week, MEA President Paula Herbart blasted the so-called “pensions for potholes” scheme and urged public school employees across the state to raise their voices to oppose the risky shell game. Add your voice today—Contact your lawmakers using our Action Network page! By many accounts, including by […]
Serving as a state representative isn’t much different from being an elementary school teacher, according to educator-turned-lawmaker Lori Stone (D-Warren), who told her story to attendees at MEA’s Summer Conference last week. The 14-year classroom veteran and MEA member said every legislative session starts with the pledge of allegiance. Seats are assigned. “And I still […]
David Schneider honored at NEA Representative Assembly for dedication to student retention on campus SAGINAW — David Schneider, a communication professor at Saginaw Valley State University, was honored as the 2019 Higher Educator of the Year at the National Education Association’s Representative Assembly this month in Houston. Schneider is a longtime member and leader of […]
July 17, 2019 By PAULA HERBART/President – Michigan Education Association In late 2016, the Detroit News ran a story under the headline, “State says literacy not a right in Detroit.” Think about that. That story was part of a long running legal battle launched by seven Detroit school students who claimed that decades of disinvestment […]
While the Legislature has been off for nearly a month on their summer break – despite next year’s state budget being unfinished – concepts continue to float around the Capitol about how to pay for needed road repairs. The latest bad idea involves various ways of borrowing against school employee pension funds to fill the […]
Earlier this month, the entire field of candidates for president were invited to a forum on education issues at the NEA Representative Assembly in Houston. Ten candidates accepted the invite and answered questions submitted by NEA members from across the country on topics ranging from funding to school employee pay to standardized testing to healthcare. […]
