By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor As a professor of organizational psychology, MEA member Amy Scrima knows it’s not simple willpower that prompts people to do difficult tasks. It’s hope. “When we human beings know there’s a path forward—a path toward accomplishing big, important things—nothing will get in our way of doing the hard work […]
Laura Shattuck has come to be known fondly as “Grandma” by some students at Grant Middle School in Newaygo County where she’s worked as a custodian for 28 years. The name has stuck ever since she befriended a troubled boy who first tossed it as an insult. Ignoring his intent, Shattuck began paying the […]
Aspiring educators who are stepping up to lead in their chosen profession gathered to learn, plan and play at a leadership retreat for members from MEA’s college ranks to kick off this academic year. About 30 students from 10 colleges and universities joined the two-day retreat. The students all belong to MEA’s Aspiring Educators of […]
EAST LANSING — The Michigan Education Association today praised state lawmakers for approving a supplemental education budget providing $125 million in additional funding for school safety and student mental health, as well for passing legislation permanently ending the state’s 3% tax on public school employees. MEA President and CEO Chandra Madafferi, a teacher from Oakland […]
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 […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Sophia Connelly believed she was within three years of getting her remaining federal student loan debt forgiven when she joined a Zoom call with Christine Anderson, an MEA UniServ Director (UD) who helps MEA members navigate Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Anderson doubted it. Hadn’t Connelly made payments since […]
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 […]
EAST LANSING — MEA is proud to announce candidates who have earned the recommendation of MEA members through the union’s Screening & Recommendation process. The process, which looks at candidates’ positions on education and labor issues, is decided by everyday educators who serve on S&R committees, based on policies and procedures adopted by members elected […]
EAST LANSING — Michigan school districts have until the end of this month to spend federal school rescue dollars provided by the Biden-Harris administration to help students recover from the pandemic — or else lose them forever. Michigan received a total of $5.63 billion in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, or ESSER, with […]
It was a tragic event during Becky Halamka’s high school counseling career — a student suicide — that profoundly impacted her and brought to light the need for better mental health support within the educational community. “It was very clear to me in that moment that I wanted to provide mental health support for others,” […]
