The MI Future Educator Fellowship — a groundbreaking new program to provide $10,000 scholarships to 2,500 future educators in Michigan every year — is not open for applications yet. But the state has put out a new FAQ and a sign-up form to be notified when the application opens. To be eligible, students must file […]
MEA President Paula Herbart used a column in Bridge Michigan to further urge educators to take advantage of temporary rule changes to the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program before the waiver expires on Oct. 31. “Michigan educators are often saddled with tens of thousands or more in student debt, leaving many of them […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Education policies pursued for the past two decades in Michigan have ignored the needs of rural school districts, which has reduced opportunities for students and stymied community development in areas facing serious economic hardship, a new study has found. School reforms favored by policymakers over the past 20 years […]
The American Rescue Plan (ARP), touted by President Biden as “gamechanger,” delivered vital funding to Michigan’s public schools in the wake of the pandemic. Prior to the pandemic in 2019, the federal government provided $1.7 billion in support to Michigan’s education budget. By 2021, that number swelled to $7.9 billion with the support of Democrats […]
Michigan schools are facing significant challenges that require all of us to come together and work as a team for the betterment of our children — yet some political extremists are dead set on fanning the flames of their culture war and using our kids as their political pawns. This small-but-vocal minority’s latest target in […]
MEA is recommending members vote in support of a pair of good-government proposals on the Nov. 8 ballot. Proposal 1 would require elected officials serving in state government to file annual reports disclosing their personal finances, including their assets, liabilities, gifts from lobbyists, promises of future employment and more. This will help let citizens know […]
EAST LANSING — The ongoing educator shortage and student mental health are the top challenges facing Michigan teachers and education support professionals, according to a new survey of educators released Wednesday by the Michigan Education Association. “These last few years have been extremely challenging for our students, educators and parents, and this survey makes it […]
Parents, education advocates and several candidates for office came together during a break in the monthly State Board of Education meeting on Tuesday to speak out against organized right-wing attacks that are attempting to divide parents and educators. The State Board’s vice president, Pamela Pugh, said ongoing disruptions and divisive rhetoric at school board meetings […]
The dawn of a new school year should be a time of joy and optimism for our children. There are new things to learn, new friends to make, and new challenges to overcome. But beneath the surface, there’s a feeling of dread among many educators, students and parents. After all, it’s only a matter of […]
EAST LANSING – Earl Wiman, Ed.D, has been named interim executive director of the Michigan Education Association. Most recently having served as executive director of the New Mexico Education Association, Wiman has a decades-long history of service and advocacy within public education in his home state of Tennessee. He worked in Tennessee’s public schools for […]
