Category: Political Action
Rights restored – time to say THANKS!
On Wednesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation restoring collective bargaining rights lost by educators over a decade ago – making good on pro-educator lawmakers’ promise to respect the profession as a way to recruit and retain the best and brightest for our students. Building on the record-breaking education budget signed last week, these new […]
Students visit former teacher in her new role at Capitol
Last November, Grosse Ile fifth grader Ava felt conflicted emotions when her teacher – MEA member Jaime Churches – won election to the state House of Representatives. She wanted Churches to win, but she didn’t want her to leave the classroom. On Thursday, with the school year drawing to a close, the youngster’s eyes lit […]
Small district, big battle: Educators and community in southwest Michigan town push back against extreme school board
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Things weren’t going according to plan at a recent meeting of the board of Brandywine Community Schools in Niles, where community opposition is growing as a new board majority has begun to enact an extreme political agenda targeting library books and teaching materials. Missing two of its seven members, […]
Pro-Education Candidates Surf the Blue Wave
Educators Win Legislative Seats to Clinch Democratic Majority By Zach Crim MEA Public Affairs When Jaime Churches’ alarm went off at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9, in many ways it was just another day preparing to teach her fifth-grade class in Gross Ile. But the hundreds of notifications on her phone betrayed the climactic […]
Congratulations to Election 2022 Winners!
MEA would like to congratulate the hundreds of friends of public education who won their elections on Nov. 8. We look forward to working with lawmakers to ensure every Michigan student gets the great public education they deserve! The following MEA recommended candidates were successful in Election 2022 (* denotes MEA member): Statewide (15 wins […]
MEA announces candidate recommendations for November general election
EAST LANSING — With absentee ballots for November’s general election going out this week, 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 MEA members who serve on […]
MEA recommends record number of school board candidates in Nov. 8 election
The Michigan Education Association has released its final list of recommended candidates for local school boards across the state. With the stakes so high in this year’s election, MEA is recommending a record 330 candidates for preK-12 school boards, as well as 11 candidates for community college boards of trustees and six candidates for library […]
Statement from MEA President on Election 2022 victories
EAST LANSING — The following statement can be attributed to MEA President Paula Herbart on Tuesday’s election victories by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and other friends of public education: “Today is a great day for educators, students and parents across Michigan. Our fellow Michiganders turned out in huge numbers for a midterm to re-elect Gov. Gretchen […]
Serving my Students – from the Capitol instead of the Classroom
Member Voices By Jaime Churches, Grosse Ile EA member My name is Jaime Churches, and I’m a fifth-grade teacher on Gross Ile. I’m running for a state House seat representing Downriver Wayne County and hopeful for the privilege to continue serving my students and their families every day – but now from the Capitol instead […]

