Early-career teachers who work in lower-income school districts would be eligible to receive up to $20,000 in total student loan debt relief over 10 consecutive years, under a state Senate bill introduced by several Democratic lawmakers. Senate Bill 673 would apply fully for newer teachers in districts where at least 45% of students qualify for […]
Following federal approval of Michigan’s plan to spend federal COVID-relief money, the state will receive the final one-third of $3.7 billion in its education funding approved by Congress in the American Rescue Plan. The U.S. Department of Education approved Michigan’s priorities for the rescue funds earlier this month: expanding early childhood learning opportunities, improving early […]
Tougher penalties could be imposed for anyone who causes physical harm to a school employee or board member, under legislation introduced by former teacher and MEA member Sen. Dayna Polehanki in the state Senate last week. Senate Bill 689 would amend the Michigan Penal Code to set a maximum misdemeanor penalty of one years’ imprisonment […]
As partners in public education, several major statewide education organizations – AFT Michigan, Michigan Association of School Boards, Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators, Michigan Education Association, Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals, Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators and Middle Cities Education Association – are calling on the public to stand together against angry […]
Jennifer Shelito is secretary of the Information Systems department at Tuscola Intermediate School District where she helps to manage a 17-district phone system, internet service for 26 districts, and training on all of that—plus data systems—for educators in the region. She helps people who’ve forgotten login credentials, voicemail pins, and how to get test scores to […]
MEA member Kevin Dykema uses an analogy about Global Positioning Systems—the ubiquitous online maps that help us find our way—to explain his philosophy about teaching math. “Your GPS usually gives you three options to get to the final destination,” he says. “Some of them may take you a little bit longer, but they all bring you […]
Engagement * Bargaining * Advocacy * Justice * Empowerment * Support by Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor MEA member Carolyn Matzinger had no idea the union could help her make a case for disability retirement benefits after a progressive illness made it dangerous for her to return to her Petoskey classroom. For two years she […]
Engagement * Bargaining * Advocacy * Justice * Empowerment * Support by Carolyn Matzinger, MEA‑Retired Let me say with full-throated enthusiasm thank you, thank you, thank you for all of the support the MEA gave me to prevail against an unjust decision about my qualifications for non-duty disability retirement due to my Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). […]
Engagement * Bargaining * Advocacy * Justice * Empowerment * Support by Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Four years ago, MEA member Dr. Tracy Loveland joined with a fellow Ann Arbor school psychologist to bring the union’s strength to bear on frustrations within the district’s special education department, which were contributing to high staff turnover. […]
Eva Menefee says her interest in academic advising grew out of a bad experience she had as a young undergraduate student seeking guidance from an advisor. “I wanted to be an accountant, which at that time meant getting into the school of business. I can remember going to see the advisor, and he said, ‘People […]
