This is Teacher Appreciation Week – but many who work in public education aren’t feeling particularly appreciated. Educators find themselves under relentless attack by a small-but-loud minority of political extremists who are polluting the public sphere with rage and disinformation. We need everyday Michiganders to stand up for educators and make their voices heard, because […]
The past three years brought MEA member Elaine Zomberg so close to two special students in her class for cognitively impaired young people that the fourth-year Grand Haven educator invited them to play important roles in her spring wedding. The COVID-19 pandemic began during Zomberg’s first year running a CI classroom and her second year […]
UPDATED May 23 Countering historic budget proposals from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the state House and Senate have approved separate school spending recommendations for the 2022-23 school year. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had proposed an $18.4 billion education budget that invests heavily in student wellness and educator recruitment and retention. The Senate passed a $17.9 billion school […]
EAST LANSING — As School Library Month draws to a close, Michigan Education Association member and veteran media specialist Kathy Lester is working tirelessly to advocate for Michigan’s certified school librarians, who play a pivotal role in preparing students for success but whose numbers have drastically declined in the state. Lester, a media specialist in Plymouth-Canton […]
Addressing students’ academic and mental health needs, while lightening the load for overstretched educators, are among the most urgent uses of federal school rescue funds prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to one local union leader in west Michigan. Theresann Pyrett, president of the West Ottawa Education Association, took that message to the White House […]
EAST LANSING — Michigan Education Association President Paula Herbart issued the following statement Thursday regarding the killing of Patrick Lyoya and the critical role educators play in fostering community conversations about social justice and equity: “Like so many others, I was saddened and angered to watch the horrific video of Patrick Lyoya’s senseless death. These […]
Do you have questions about the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program? MEA is hosting monthly virtual events to help you learn more and find out if you’re eligible for student loan forgiveness. The webinars will be held via Zoom. Here’s a schedule of upcoming sessions: Wednesday, April 20 at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 19 at […]
As a parent in Livingston County’s Hartland Consolidated Schools, Laura Moore publicly addressed the school board in February to say that a small group of vocal people who have been lobbing insults and criticism at every board meeting for months do not speak for everyone. “I addressed the board as a parent of three students […]
A lot has changed with teaching in the three decades since I began as a student teacher in Oak Park Schools — much of it to the detriment of Michigan children, educators and families. If policymakers don’t take immediate action to support aspiring and early career educators, Michigan students will face irreparable harm. I remember […]
Despite what some far-right politicians and cable news talking heads might want you to believe, the public trusts educators more than just about anyone else — and that’s why educators should stand up and make their voices heard. According to Gallup’s annual Honesty and Ethics of Professions survey, educators rank No. 3 on the list […]
