In addition to positive budget proposals for PreK-12 schools, state budget proposals for community colleges and universities are strong as well for 2024-25. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s budget plan, that came out the beginning of February, calls for a 2.5% increase in funding for the state’s 15 public universities and 28 community colleges. Both the House […]
Make quality health care more affordable for school employees Increasing health care costs are causing more and more talented educators to leave the profession. To help keep the best and brightest working in our kids’ schools and attract talented people into the education workforce, state lawmakers must fix PA 152, the 2011 state law that [...]
More than 4,500 students from across Michigan gathered in Howell last week for two days of hands-on experience with tools, materials and heavy equipment as part of the 16th annual Michigan Construction Career Days event. The event, hosted at Operating Engineers Local 324’s training center in Howell, showcased to students from grades 7-12 the diverse […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor MEA member Kevin Fannin doesn’t need accolades to know he’s doing incredible work with young people at Milwood Magnet School in Kalamazoo—the looks on kids’ faces when they see him, the smiles, the hugs, the high fives, hand shakes and fist bumps say it all. But as a longtime […]
By Shana Saddler While on maternity leave, I heard from a number of my colleagues with well wishes and congratulations: “I am so happy for you!” and “I am so proud of you.” However, the one that stood out most in the very forefront of my mind ended with the words, “I will see you […]
MEA member Matt Hamilton believes his willingness to take risks spurs great teaching, so the fact it also generates occasional failures doesn’t stop him. “I’m just a regular teacher who’s trying new things, so it’s not perfect every day by any means,” he says. It was a leap of faith 16 years ago – just […]
MEA member Amy French disrupts students’ expectations in the history classes she leads at Delta College in Bay County’s University Center by asking at the outset: “So what am I teaching this semester?” French isn’t joking or trying to catch anyone napping with her day-one question. As head of Delta’s history department, French is acknowledging […]
MEA member John Kusku has faced extra challenges throughout his 39 years, but he learned a key philosophy from his mother who told him as a little boy: Goals might be harder for you to achieve, but you can still do anything you want. “That’s been kind of the mentality of my life,” Kusku says. […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor The professionals entrusted with delivering healthy, delicious food to hundreds of thousands of students in school cafeterias across Michigan say they’re serving more kids than ever as part of the state’s one-year trial of universal free school meals – and rising to the challenge with skill, focus and teamwork. […]
Click to view online. In this issue: Letter to Members: We celebrate you Flint teachers reach settlement MEA Scholarship golf outing scheduled for June 10 Benson, MEA advocate for driver’s ed to return to public schools Lt. Gov. Gilchrist tours award-winning Mattawan school AEM-MiNE: At inaugural Ed Rising conference, MEA partners to inspire next generation […]
