MEA member Matt Hamilton added a brilliant new chapter to his inspiring story on Friday when he was chosen from among five finalists for one of education’s highest honors: the 2025 NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence. A 23-year middle school teacher in East Jordan, Hamilton was nationally honored for his work teaching history […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor In a passionate address before a capacity crowd at the MEA Winter Conference last week, Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Warren) recalled her mother walking her up to the yellow school bus as her earliest memory from youth. Born in Thailand, Xiong immigrated to the U.S. with family at age three in […]
Bipartisan coalition shows we can all work together to improve public schools By Chandra Madafferi, Michigan Education Association President and CEO Michigan students need us to cooperate with one another and help improve our local schools because, despite many innovative public education initiatives across the state, we do not have a system of excellence — […]
The Democratic-led state Senate filed a lawsuit on Monday to compel Republican House Speaker Matt Hall to transmit House Bill 6058 and eight other bills to Gov. Whitmer for a signature as the state constitution requires for all measures passed by both chambers of the Legislature. Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) held a […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor UPDATE FEB. 3: Today the Democratic-led state Senate filed a lawsuit to compel Republican House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.) to follow the state constitution and transmit House Bill 6058 and eight other bills held in limbo to Gov. Whitmer for a signature. Read more. MEA member Kim Sandefur normally teaches […]
UPDATE JAN. 22: The state Senate adopted a resolution today authorizing Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) to bring a lawsuit against House Speaker Matt Hall to compel him to send HB 6058 to the governor for her review. Read more about this developing story. Schools across Michigan could soon see an exodus of […]
The new House leadership under Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.) has yet to present House Bill 6058 to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her review. This critical legislation, passed by the Legislature last month, would rein in skyrocketing health care costs for teachers, school support staff and other public employees. The State Constitution clearly states that, […]
By Chandra Madafferi, Michigan Education Association President and CEO UPDATE (Jan. 13, 2025) — The new House leadership has yet to present House Bill 6058 to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her review. This critical legislation, passed by the Legislature last month, would rein in skyrocketing health care costs for teachers, school support staff and other public […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor MEA member Raychel Figurski uses humor and encouragement to help her Hudsonville math students learn to trust that hard work pays off—a philosophy she lives as a distance runner pursuing her goal of completing the world’s six major marathons despite big obstacles in her path. “I keep reminding them, […]
Through the power of collective bargaining and action, MEA members across Michigan have made record strides in 2024 by securing significant pay raises, improved working conditions and a stronger voice in the workplace. In the face of an educator shortage, these contract wins help attract and retain high-quality educators who are well-equipped to serve students’ […]
