MEA’s Statewide Screening and Recommendation Committee, comprised of everyday educators from across Michigan, met on Saturday, May 9 to interview candidates for governor and then discuss potentially recommending a candidate for the gubernatorial election. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson accepted MEA’s invitation to participate […]
By Chandra Madafferi, President & CEO of the Michigan Education Association Close your eyes and imagine an elementary school teacher. The chances are good that you pictured a woman. You can’t be blamed for that assumption, as preK-12 education is one of the least gender-diverse professions around. Men make up less than 24% of total […]
The Michigan Education Association announced Monday the following recommendations of candidates for Michigan Congressional districts: 1st District: Callie Barr 3rd District: Rep. Hillary Scholten 4th District: State Sen. Sean McCann 6th District: Rep. Debbie Dingell 7th District: Bridget Brink 8th District: Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet 10th District: Tim Greimel 11th District: State Sen. Jeremy Moss 12th […]
The Michigan Education Association is praising the state Senate’s 2026-27 education budget proposal, saying it prioritizes and protects students in the wake of widespread federal cuts. “For the sake of our students and their future, state lawmakers must work together to ensure local schools have adequate, stable funding,” said MEA President and CEO Chandra Madafferi, […]
Shoe Club Nation is searching Michigan for middle school teachers who believe every kid has a story worth telling. Applications open April 21. Somewhere in a Michigan middle school right now, a teacher is staying late for a student no one else has figured out how to reach. Shoe Club Nation wants to find that […]
In recognition of her steadfast service and advocacy for Michigan’s students and educators, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was presented with and made the namesake of the Michigan Education Association’s inaugural “Gretchen Whitmer Champion for Education” award Saturday at MEA’s Representative Assembly in East Lansing. “Every day in communities across Michigan, countless educators step up to help our […]
By Chandra Madafferi, President and CEO, Michigan Education Association There is a lot of conflicting information out there about our state’s level of support for public schools, with the phrase “record funding” often being used. The truth is that in inflation-adjusted dollars, Michigan actually spends less per pupil than we did in 2002, and that […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
