State leaders should invest in children, working families and seniors in need LANSING —Michigan’s education unions issued the following statement Thursday urging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to veto Senate Bill 768, which would provide tax breaks for Michigan’s wealthiest individuals and corporations while causing drastic budget shortfalls for students and educators. The following can be attributed […]
The Michigan Legislative Labor Caucus has introduced legislation that would empower educators and other working Michiganders and restore many of the rights stripped from them over the years. Among other critical reforms, the 34-bill package would give school employees a voice in important decisions impacting their classrooms and jobs — including making teacher evaluations an […]
Instead of focusing on real issues facing our schools – like the educator shortage and student mental health concerns – some politicians continue attempting to drive wedges between parents and educators for short-term political points. Last week, Senate Republicans passed a resolution affirming parent rights in their children’s education (something that isn’t actually being threatened), focusing on […]
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is proposing the largest funding increase for public education in 20 years, with proposals to recruit and retain educators, increase per-student spending, rebuild mental health supports, expand preschool access, and fund school construction and renovations. In contrast, initial Republican proposals focus on massive tax breaks, especially for corporations and the wealthy. Such plans are […]
MEA and the Michigan Art Education Association (MAEA) are seeking entries for their 58th annual juried art purchase show. The exhibit—to acquire artwork to enhance the MEA headquarters complex in East Lansing and MEA regional and UniServ offices throughout the state—provides an opportunity to display art by MAEA, MEA, or MEA-Retired members in good standing. […]
In the middle of the most exhausting year of our careers, the work of our union is more important than ever. Despite fatigue and frustrations, educators must engage and persist in this critical moment – and MEA offers many ways for you to learn and get involved while earning SCECHs or certification credits. Sign up […]
The pressures of COVID have reinforced a belief long held by David Schneider, a Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) professor and the faculty union’s chief negotiator for 25 years: “Not everything needs to be negotiated for us to have a voice.” Funding in three federal COVID-relief packages included tens of millions of dollars for Michigan […]
Morale among educators in South Redford is the worst Bill Dyer has seen in 28 years as a math teacher in the district, the local union president said. He also has never before seen 10 teaching positions open mid-year—which was the number unfilled last month. “It’s been an uphill battle for us to attract new teachers, […]
As with other roles in education these days, school psychologists in Michigan are in short supply. MEA member Joe Sbar—the current Michigan School Psychologist of the Year—says not enough college students are entering the profession to replace those retiring. “We have an exposure problem,” Sbar said. “It’s a great job, but people don’t know what […]
