In addition to pushing an unconstitutional voucher bill, Republican leaders in the state House and Senate have been moving a number of controversial measures that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is likely or promising to veto. From bans on mask mandates to bills restricting educators’ speech on issues of race, to a resolution condemning U.S. Justice Department […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor MEA member Mariah Gaither had a challenging entry into her teaching career in 2020, having to adapt her secondary science curriculum for remote learners through the full school year in Lansing. Now Gaither is working in-person and getting an eye-opening lesson of her own: she’s discovering how much educators […]
From granting collective bargaining rights to deciding how much money is spent for students, public education is an inherently political profession, but educators are often missing from policy discussions and decisions. Research has shown this lack of respect for educators’ expertise and professionalism is a big factor driving the educator shortage. Our next generation of […]
This month two new laws went into effect aimed at keeping students safer on buses. The first makes it easier to ticket drivers who ignore the red flashing lights and extended stop arm of a school bus, and the second prohibits any unauthorized person from entering a school bus without the driver’s permission. The changes allow […]
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 […]
