Jackie Shelson and Taryn Loughlin have accomplished a couple of cool firsts in the Grosse Pointe Education Association they lead. The pair became the first co-presidents of the GPEA in 2021, and they worked out a first-of-its-kind agreement with the district to include free professional development with the assistance of MEA UniServ Consultant Chad Williams […]
By Shana Saddler When my third-hour class behaved badly with a substitute teacher, I was extremely disappointed in my student leaders. The next day, I approached “Maya” (a spirited, driven, yet funny student) and said, “Maya, why did you not step up as a leader and try to positively influence student misbehavior?” Maya replied, “Mrs. Saddler, […]
MEA member Kate Singer’s journey to becoming a first-grade teacher in the Pontiac School District began not in college but during high school in Lake Orion, where she completed a program that introduces students to a career in education through hands-on experiences. Currently teaching her first year at Rogers Elementary School, Singer says thanks to […]
By Brenda Ortega Michigan Education Association MEA Voice Editor MEA member Justine Galbraith has been teaching for 18 years, including six as a middle school English teacher in Troy. Growing up in school, her generation never knew the term “school shooting,” and she laments how young people now live in its terrifying shadow. So she […]
On Nov. 8, Michigan went to the polls and elected lawmakers willing to do the litany of work needed to deliver the quality public education every student needs and deserves. The wins on Election Day were resounding. Re-electing Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. […]
By Shana Saddler In high school, I ran cross country and track and field. After a long day of academics, my teammates and I would run for miles, lift weights, and start all over again the next day. Some days I was weary and others I ran for miles with minimal fatigue. On race days […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor When Sue Ziel returned to her classroom this school year, it was the Romeo Education Association president’s first time setting foot on school district property in 15 months. She didn’t know how it would feel to come back after spending that time fighting tenure charges her district had brought […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Given all of the political upheaval of the past several years, Rochester Education Association President Doug Hill knows it has become cliché to say an upcoming election is the most important one in our lifetimes. But when it comes to local school board races that sentiment is true, Hill […]
For more than 20 years, Betsy DeVos has tried to enact school vouchers in Michigan to drain tax dollars away from public schools toward private and religious schools. The only problem was she couldn’t get her plan past voters, who shot it down by a 69-31 margin in 2000. Now DeVos thinks she’s figured out […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Follow Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at campaign and speaking events, and you quickly notice one way she likes to introduce herself: “as a product of public schools and the mother of two daughters who attended public schools…” Whitmer makes clear in how she talks to and about educators that she’s […]
