The 2025 MEA Awards for Human Rights & Excellence

The MEA awards for Human Rights & Excellence are awarded at the MEA Winter Conference, MEA Summer Conference, and MEA Representative Assembly.  Nominations are accepted October 1 – December 31 of the previous year. Nominating individuals or groups must be MEA members in good standing. If the nominee to be considered is an MEA member, the […]

Instructional Excellence Award: Nicki Strach

A veteran paraeducator in Reed City and vice president of her local union, Nicki Strach has worked to implement innovative literacy programs while making sure everyone — regardless of behavioral or academic challenges — feels understood, valued and nurtured. For the last five years, Strach’s primary focus has been on emerging students at G.T. Norman […]

Teacher of the Year talks educator retention

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Kelley Cusmano is the 2024-25 Michigan Teacher of the Year. In February, the Michigan Department of Education announced the 10 Regional Teachers of the Year who are finalists for the 2025-26 MTOY to be announced in May. Important work has been done in Michigan to attract new teachers into […]

Candidates for MEA Elections

Delegates to the 2025 MEA Representative Assembly (RA) on May 9-10 will elect one member to represent Michigan on the NEA Board of Directors. One member has declared candidacy for NEA state director. MEA Voice magazine publishes biographies and statements of candidates for statewide positions announced in advance of the annual RA where the election […]

MEA Voice Magazine – April-May 2025 Issue

Click to view online. In this issue: LETTER TO MEMBERS: Celebrating Excellence for our students NEWS & NOTES: ICYMI — Educators define issues : You can help QUOTABLES AEM/MiNE: Growing Libraries with Representation MEMBER VOICES: Tuition-free community college changes lives COVER STORY: Michigan educator known for ‘shoe club’ wins NEA Award for Teaching Excellence AWARDS […]