Blog
Vote NO on Proposal 1, Con-Con
The MEA Board of Directors has unanimously voted to oppose the calling of a new Constitutional Convention, or Con-Con, which will appear as Proposal 1 on the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot. We strongly urge MEA members to vote NO on a Con-Con, which would open up Michigan’s Constitution to a total and complete rewrite and […]
Educators need support to maximize state literacy efforts
By Chandra Madafferi, President and CEO, Michigan Education Association Improving student literacy here in Michigan promises to be a major topic throughout 2026, with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer committing to it as a top issue for her final year in office, as noted in her final State of the State address last week. Whether a student […]
Michigan Educator Honored with “Oscar of Teaching” for Creativity in the Classroom
From Michigan Department of Education: https://www.michigan.gov/mde/news-and-information/press-releases/2026/02/26/mi-teacher-honored-with-milken-educator-award What started with a special visit from Michigan Chief Deputy Superintendent Dr. Sue Carnell turned into an exciting announcement Pine River Middle School teacher Stephanie Johnson will never forget: she is Michigan’s Milken Educator Award recipient for 2025-26! Johnson, a seventh grade ELA teacher at PRMS, is Michigan’s 93rd recipient since The Great […]
New coalition focuses on clean energy in schools
Educators are integral in establishing clean energy initiatives that prepare public school students for in-demand careers and promote environmental sustainability — all while saving money on energy costs that can be reinvested in our classrooms. MEA member Brian Prill’s solar panel project in Marquette — which is already reducing his school’s carbon footprint — demonstrates […]
MEA President praises Gov. Whitmer for focusing on student literacy in State of the State
The following can be attributed to Michigan Education Association President Chandra Madafferi in reaction to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address, in which the governor made improving student literacy a top priority for her final year of office: “Exceptional educators equipped with the right training and tools will make a big difference for […]
MEA Higher Ed leaders share ideas at summit
Last Friday, MEA member Jamin Villarreal found himself among other higher education leaders at a summit organized by MEA’s Michigan Association of Higher Education (MAHE) to discuss common issues and challenges across the state’s colleges and universities. Villarreal’s participation in Friday’s MAHE Town Hall was remarkable, given he hadn’t been active in his support staff […]
Key to successful literacy efforts? Listening to Michigan educators
With Gov. Gretchen Whitmer making improving student literacy a centerpiece of her final year in office, Michigan Education Association members from across the state are speaking out about what kinds of support they need to help improve all students’ reading skills. In interviews with public school educators published in the latest edition of the MEA […]
Call for entries – MEA/MAEA Art Exhibition
Get your artwork ready — it’s almost time to submit entries for the 62nd MEA/MAEA Art Acquisitions Purchase Exhibition. Digital submissions will be accepted March 1-22 via the form at this link. The annual juried art show has continued to expand and improve. This year’s event includes a new award category: Promoting Peace through Art, […]
Quotables – Feb-March 2026
“If this bill package passes today, we will have passed two very solid school policy bills in the past month, indicating that yes, we can come together across the aisle and across chambers to do the right things for kids, parents and schools.” — Sen. Dayna Polehanki, chair of the Senate Education Committee, on passage […]

