Awards & Grants
David McMahon Human Rights Award — Kathleen Kosobud
In her acceptance speech, Kathleen Kosobud said she has always felt the need to challenge the status quo when she sees injustice. “My retirement plan is to continue working with youth-serving organizations to get out the vote and encourage civic awareness,” she said.
Maurine Wyatt Feminist and Gender Equity Award — Wendy Winston
In accepting MEA’s 2026 Maurine Wyatt Feminist and Gender Equity Award, Wendy Winston called on education professionals to unite and fight collectively for students and the profession: “No one is showing up to save us. We are the saviors of our democracy.”
Educational Excellence Award — Daniel Clason
Daniel Clason is the recipient of the 2026 MEA Educational Excellence Award for his instructional leadership and creativity as an eighth and ninth-grade history teacher at Clarkston Junior High. Accepting the honor at the MEA Winter Conference, he thanked his students. “They give me that bigger purpose to know that I’m a part of something that’s bigger than me,” he said.
Gerry Crane Human and Civil Rights Award — Frank Burger
More than 25 years ago, Burger started the Safe Space program at Carman-Ainsworth Middle School to identify places where all students could go to find acceptance. Burger credited his family, his union, and school administration for supporting his work in the face of increasing attacks on the LGBTQ+ community. He also cited Crane, a gay educator who was bullied out of his job as a music teacher in 1996 and died a year later. “His story is what inspires me to do the work that I do, because I don’t want anybody to feel unsafe in school, whether it’s our students or our members,” Burger said in his acceptance speech. “We will never be erased, ever.”
Throughout the year, MEA gives out a variety of awards, including more than $175,000 in college scholarships to Michigan public school students since 1997 through the MEA Scholarship. Other awards honor MEA members for service to the association, public education and their students. Click on the awards below to find out more about the various awards available, including how to nominate worthy recipients.
Human Rights and Educational Excellence Awards