MEA is accepting nominations for two prestigious awards to be presented at the MEA Winter Conference this February in Detroit. Fill out a nominating form by Nov. 30 for the following awards: Educational Excellence The nominee should have demonstrated commitment to educational excellence and a concern for the improvement of student-focused education. Elizabeth Siddall Human Rights…
Applications are being accepted now through Nov. 16 for the Innovative Educator Corps, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) announced. The Innovative Educator Corps (IEC), authorized under the Marshall Plan for Talent (PA 227 of 2018), is a new recognition program for Michigan teachers who employ an innovative educational program, methodology, or strategy to help…
Wins for a slew of MEA-recommended candidates in Tuesday’s election, highlighted by Gretchen Whitmer’s victory in the race for governor, represent a “course correction” for Michigan and public education, says MEA President Paula Herbart. “With Governor-elect Whitmer’s victory, along with many new pro-public education legislators, we look forward to our state’s top elected officials reaching out…
Statement from MEA President Paula Herbart
DETROIT – The following statement can be attributed to MEA President Paula Herbart regarding tonight’s victory by Gretchen Whitmer in the race for Michigan governor:
“Today a few million Michiganders joined tens of millions of Americans across the country in exercising their most fundamental right in a democracy—voting. We witnessed a “course correction” for Michigan, for our nation and for public education.
There is no neutral ground when it comes to issues of systemic racism and oppression—everyone must take a stance, according to Dr. Chezare Warren, a former teacher and administrator in Chicago Public Schools, now a faculty member at Michigan State University.
Saginaw Township Youth in Government students got an up-close view of a high-level political campaign when candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, Gretchen Whitmer and Garlin Gilchrist, stopped by—thanks to an MEA member who won the visit in a drawing last spring.
By PAULA HERBART/President – Michigan Education Association
Last spring’s surge of educator walkouts from West Virginia to Oklahoma, North Carolina, Kentucky, Colorado, and Arizona revealed the force behind a different political wave crashing on shores across the country this fall: educators running for office.
Five months ago, MEA members in Charlotte faced disciplinary action for wearing “red-for-ed” shirts in coordination with each other. Scared but undeterred, they participated in a statewide “Wednesday Walk-in” last May despite the superintendent’s threats, and he eventually backed down.
During a recent community forum on education and urban issues, gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer had no shortage of examples to show what she would seek to change if elected.
Now that the comment period is over for controversial proposed changes to Michigan’s K-12 Social Studies standards, educators can apply to join a task force that will review public feedback and make recommendations.
The deadline to apply for the task force is noon on Wednesday.
