MEA announces recommendations for state Supreme Court and education boards

EAST LANSING – The Michigan Education Association is recommending the reelection this November of Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein, the association of teachers, education support professionals and higher-education faculty announced Thursday. “Richard Bernstein is a longtime advocate for children with special needs, people with disabilities and everyday working people, and we are proud to […]

MEA Members Share Reasons Behind Educator Shortages

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 […]

Labor Voices: Student mental health should be a top concern for lawmakers

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 […]

Ask Whitmer to veto tax break for wealthy, invest in kids instead

Our state’s elected leaders should invest in children, seniors and working families in need — and that’s why we’re calling on MEA members to contact the governor’s office and urge her to veto Senate Bill 768, which would provide tax breaks for Michigan’s wealthiest individuals and corporations and cause drastic budget shortfalls for students and […]

Educators urge Whitmer to veto tax break for corporations and the wealthy

State leaders should invest in children, working families and seniors in need LANSING —Michigan’s education unions issued the following statement Thursday urging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to veto Senate Bill 768, which would provide tax breaks for Michigan’s wealthiest individuals and corporations while causing drastic budget shortfalls for students and educators. The following can be attributed […]

Urge Lawmakers to Support New ‘Putting Workers First’ Legislation

The Michigan Legislative Labor Caucus has introduced legislation that would empower educators and other working Michiganders and restore many of the rights stripped from them over the years.  Among other critical reforms, the 34-bill package would give school employees a voice in important decisions impacting their classrooms and jobs — including making teacher evaluations an […]

Tell Politicians to Stop Dividing Parents, Educators

Instead of focusing on real issues facing our schools – like the educator shortage and student mental health concerns – some politicians continue attempting to drive wedges between parents and educators for short-term political points.  Last week, Senate Republicans passed a resolution affirming parent rights in their children’s education (something that isn’t actually being threatened), focusing on […]

Invest in Students, Not Tax Breaks

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is proposing the largest funding increase for public education in 20 years, with proposals to recruit and retain educators, increase per-student spending, rebuild mental health supports, expand preschool access, and fund school construction and renovations.  In contrast, initial Republican proposals focus on massive tax breaks, especially for corporations and the wealthy.  Such plans are […]

58th Annual MEA/MAEA Art Purchase Exhibit 

MEA and the Michigan Art Education Association (MAEA) are seeking entries for their 58th annual juried art purchase show. The exhibit—to acquire artwork to enhance the MEA headquarters complex in East Lansing and MEA regional and UniServ offices throughout the state—provides an opportunity to display art by MAEA, MEA, or MEA-Retired members in good standing. […]