By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appeared at the MEA Representative Assembly (RA) last weekend to receive an inaugural MEA award named after her in honor of her work over eight years in office to restore public education and respect educator voices. Delegates to the RA gathered in East Lansing for the […]
When Karen Christian was growing up in Flint, both of her parents were public school teachers and leaders in United Teachers of Flint who taught her the importance of unions. Last week at the MEA Representative Assembly, after a dozen years as UTF president having led the unit through multiple crises to a celebrated contract, […]
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 […]
From the Lansing State Journal: https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/education/2026/04/06/as-artemis-ii-heads-to-moon-a-small-town-michigan-teacher-is-headed-to-nasa/89401671007/ In a few months, Dee Smith will make her way from Ashley – a small village of about 500 people located north of Lansing, traveling some 1,300 miles south to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Texas. Smith will be part of NASA’s LiftOff Summer institute, which provides teachers with […]
Heather Schulz is a middle school science teacher in Lakeview Public Schools in St. Clair Shores, currently in her 29th year in the classroom. She has been an active union leader for the majority of her career, dedicating her time and voice to advancing the profession and supporting her colleagues. Heather currently serves as President […]
Aaron Eling serves as MEA Secretary-Treasurer and is seeking re-election. In this role, he has worked to modernize financial systems, strengthen transparency, and expand support for local leaders across the state. Aaron represents MEA on the Michigan Climate Jobs Coalition and serves on the Statewide AI Steering Committee. He is a participant in the Advanced […]
Bob Callender has dedicated his career to strengthening public education, advancing union activism, and delivering meaningful results for his local membership. He has worked for Warren Consolidated Schools for twenty-six years and has served as President of the Warren Education Association for the past ten years. Bob holds a Master of Public Administration from the […]
Chandra Madafferi has proudly served as MEA President & CEO for the past three years and began her membership at Central Michigan University as a student member more than twenty-five years ago. Elected MEA vice president in 2017, she has held leadership roles at the local, regional, and state levels. She earned a master’s degree […]
