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 […]
Michigan educators, parents and families have formed a new coalition opposing Betsy DeVos’ latest school voucher petition drive, and the coalition is actively seeking supporters to help stop this new scheme in its tracks. Public education advocates announced the coalition, called For MI Kids, For Our Schools, at a virtual media event Wednesday. MEA is […]
Several MEA members, including Michigan Teacher of the Year Leah Porter, testified last week at a hearing on the varied causes behind growing educator shortages before the Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid and Department of Education. The subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Brad Paquette (R-Niles), heard wide-ranging explanations for why educators are leaving the profession and […]
There is a mental health crisis enveloping our schools across Michigan, and it’s going to take state leaders working together with parents and educators to secure a brighter future for our students — before it’s too late. According to a 2019 study from the National Institutes of Health, 16.5% of children 17 or under have […]
