Congress is considering a dangerous budget proposal that includes a $20 billion federal school voucher scheme, which would drain critical resources from neighborhood public schools and funnel taxpayer dollars to for-profit private schools elsewhere. To add insult to injury, the budget proposal would make huge cuts to Medicaid for families and children across Michigan, causing […]
Michigan educators who qualify for the state’s Student Loan Repayment Program must apply individually to participate this year, which is a change from how the program functioned in 2024 — its first year of operation. Educators have until 5 p.m. on Monday, May 19 to apply using the form on the Student Loan Repayment Program […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor A new MEA task force will examine ways to address increasing violence against educators in the workplace and advocate for policies, legislation and resources to ensure classroom safety for school employees and students alike in Michigan. Formation of the task force was approved on Saturday by the MEA Representative […]
By Erik Edoff, Senior Executive Director, Michigan Education Association This week marks Teacher Appreciation Week, a time when we all come together to honor the hard work of our children’s educators. The most important thing we can do to show our appreciation for Michigan’s dedicated teachers is to pay them a competitive wage. Unfortunately, Michigan […]
Educators across Michigan wore Red for Ed and held events to recognize May Day on Thursday, known as International Workers Day, as part of national actions continuing this weekend to stand for dignity, justice, and public investment in our careers, schools, and students’ lives. Numerous #MayDayStrong events are planned for Saturday. Find one near you! […]
This Thursday, May 1, is International Workers Day – and this year it will be marked with a May Day Strong National Day of Action that NEA is participating in across the country. Educators will join workers, parents, students, and community members to stand for dignity, justice, and public investment in our careers, our schools, and our students’ lives. Here in Michigan, we’re asking […]
EAST LANSING – A new report issued today by the National Education Association underscores the importance of improving compensation for educators – something the state Senate’s proposed education budget takes seriously, as highlighted in its presentation today. Michigan is lagging behind other states when it comes to paying educators competitive wages, leading to educator shortages […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor In Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss, only the kindly elephant with his enormous ears can hear cries for help from residents of a microscopic community he can’t see — the Whos in Who-ville — who populate a speck of dust blowing in the wind. Horton protects the […]
Reading the cover story about this year’s NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence winner prompts two thoughts: First – East Jordan’s Matt Hamilton is a truly exceptional educator. And – every student, no matter where they live, deserves a Matt Hamilton in their life. Matt’s work both in and outside of the classroom is more [...]
By Brenda Ortega and Heather Palo MEA Staff It was mid-August, the dog days of last summer, and MEA member Matt Hamilton looked like a mayor on parade walking down Main Street in East Jordan, a small town along the Jordan River in northern Michigan’s Charlevoix County where he teaches middle school social studies. The […]
