EAST LANSING — Today, a federal seal was lifted and a settlement announced regarding a frivolous, politically-motivated lawsuit brought against MEA by a right-wing “think tank” with a decades-long record of attacking public school educators and their unions. In April 2020, at the outset of the pandemic, MEA applied for and received a Paycheck Protection […]
State laws severely restricting educators’ collective bargaining rights could be on the chopping block if state Rep. Matt Koleszar, an MEA member and former teacher, gets his way. The House Labor Committee held its first hearing Thursday on one of Koleszar’s new bills, House Bill 4044, which would repeal a 12-year-old law that freezes employees’ […]
Hana St. Juliana. Tate Myre. Madisyn Baldwin. Justin Shilling. Arielle Anderson. Brian Fraser. Alexandria Verner. I could spend the 600 words of this column just printing the names of young people killed by gun violence in our schools, starting with these seven murdered at Oxford High School and Michigan State University. Because, frankly, I’m running […]
In light of the tragedy on MSU’s campus, the following bills have been introduced in the State Senate and House and will likely see quick action: SB 76/ HB 4138 – Would require license or background check for purchase of firearms. SB 77/ HB 4142 – Updates references to a pistol in the State’s penal […]
In my school building, I often stop to admire a picturesque mural of a black ship in a blue ocean and to recall the wise words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt: “Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.” In difficult times, it’s important to remember that we grow into leadership roles. As educators, our ability […]
With the Michigan Capitol as backdrop, standing less than 10 miles from the site of a deadly mass shooting at Michigan State University one week ago, advocates pressed state lawmakers to enact legislation to end the epidemic of gun violence that strikes fear in schools and communities. MEA President Paula Herbart noted that sadly, it’s […]
The tragic murder of three MSU students during Monday night’s shootings on campus not only impacts the MSU/East Lansing community, but also the school districts where these three young people recently graduated. Alexandria Verner graduated in 2020 from Clawson High School, where her mother is a teacher and longtime MEA member and her father serves […]
EAST LANSING — Educators everywhere are reeling this morning after yet another tragic school shooting, this time on the campus of Michigan State University. “Our hearts go out to the victims’ loved ones, as well as to the students, faculty and staff at MSU – many of whom are MEA administrative professional members and aspiring […]
In the wake of gun violence erupting at Michigan State University, with news of student casualties just 15 months after the devastating Oxford school shooting, MEA members across the state are again faced with difficult conversations among students and family members while navigating their own grief. Many educators are understandably reeling from sadness, anger and […]
Click to view online. In this issue: Letter to Members: Good changes afoot MY VIEW- Year’s Resolution 2023: Know Thyself DeVos-backed voucher scheme petitions withdrawn From Classrooms to Committee Chairs: Educators in Position to Shape Education Agenda Key MEA Legislative Priorities for 2023 Key MEA Legislative Priorities for 2023: Student Academic Support Key MEA Legislative […]
