MEA members share stories of student loan debt relief with U.S. Ed Secretary: ‘For me, it was life-changing’

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Growing up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula from a family of very modest means, MEA member Ron Denning knew he wouldn’t have parental help paying for college to pursue his dream of becoming a teacher—he’d have to borrow. But that was OK, he was told, “It’s good debt.” Denning figured […]

MEA statement on MI Senate’s passage of financial relief for educators and schools

EAST LANSING — The following statement can be attributed to Michigan Education Association President and CEO Chandra Madafferi, a teacher from Oakland County: “The Michigan Education Association applauds the state Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 911, which will permanently end the state’s 3% tax on more than 100,000 veteran teachers and school support staff. “Our […]

Support staff unit holds monster-sized meeting

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Monday’s event at Orchard View High School in Muskegon looked like a party, but it was the annual general membership meeting of a wall-to-wall support staff union representing custodians, office staff, paraeducators, maintenance employees, transportation workers, and food service staff. Goodies for giveaway lined the front of the community [...]