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 […]
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 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. […]
An overhaul of the broken federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) announced on Wednesday is meant to restore the promise made to educators and other public service employees who have suffered under the program’s 98% rejection rate. Changes include a limited one-year waiver that allows all payments by student borrowers to count toward PSLF, […]
School visit highlights the district’s Resilient Schools Project, expanded by COVID-19 funds LINCOLN PARK, Mich. — National Education Association President Becky Pringle, Michigan Education Association President Paula Herbart, and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel visited Raupp Elementary School Friday afternoon to learn about Lincoln Park Public Schools’ Resilient Schools Project. The Resilient Schools Project supports […]
MEA member Leah Porter, a 15-year kindergarten teacher from Wilcox Elementary School in Holt, was named the 2021 Michigan Teacher of the Year (MTOY) on Thursday for her commitment to giving all children both the freedom and security of a trusted learning space within her classroom. “I want to instill a love of learning in […]
In marking the one-year anniversary of Michigan’s first COVID-19 case, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shared several stories last week about the inspiring work done by a variety of Michiganders during this pandemic. One person highlighted was MEA member and Warren Woods teacher Todd Bloch – the governor shared his experiences as an educator over the past […]
When he was a high school sophomore, MEA member Gary Mishica already had a collection of old cars and buggies to work on, so his parents shouldn’t have been surprised to find another vehicle when they returned to their Copper Country home from a (rare) vacation. They “flipped out” to see an orange 1942 Ford […]
MEA member Danya Stump knew from a young age that she wanted to be a teacher, but she didn’t figure out until college that she wanted to be a preschool special education teacher. The impetus for her direction was a little boy she was assigned to work with at the early child development center where […]
By Robyne Muray While some educators have transitioned to virtual teaching this year without missing a beat, remote learning has challenged many professionals to find ways to build student participation while continuing to provide necessary guided instruction, classroom management, differentiated support, and social-emotional learning. In my travels throughout the Lansing School District, I have witnessed […]
