By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Sophia Connelly believed she was within three years of getting her remaining federal student loan debt forgiven when she joined a Zoom call with Christine Anderson, an MEA UniServ Director (UD) who helps MEA members navigate Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Anderson doubted it. Hadn’t Connelly made payments since […]
It was a tragic event during Becky Halamka’s high school counseling career — a student suicide — that profoundly impacted her and brought to light the need for better mental health support within the educational community. “It was very clear to me in that moment that I wanted to provide mental health support for others,” […]
The MEA Communications & Public Engagement team brought home eight national awards at the 2024 State Education Association Communicators (SEAComm) Conference Awards dinner in Philadelphia on June 23. The ceremony recognizes communications excellence among NEA state affiliates nationwide. Honors included Best in Show for publications (writing and design) and a first-time win for MEA Voice […]
With snakeskin-patterned shoes in hand to donate, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently visited East Jordan Middle/High School to acknowledge the impactful work of the “Shoe Club,” an initiative to empower teens through teamwork and service. The Shoe Club is led by Matt Hamilton, a middle-school teacher and MEA member who strives to help teens become the […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor There’s a saying going around the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE): “Michigan is in the house.” That’s because two longtime MEA leaders are transitioning into the top two roles at the national council representing higher education members of NEA. Alec Thomson from Schoolcraft College in Livonia is the […]
MEA members build the future of public education and our union, but at times generational differences get in the way. Members from MEA’s early-career ranks of MiNE (Michigan New Educators) have ideas for bridging the divide. Studies show that Millennials (born 1981 – 1996) and Gen Z (born 1997 – 2012) are activists interested in […]
A middle school social studies teacher from Rochester and one of his former students worked together to research a Michigan man killed during the Allied Forces’ D-Day invasion of Normandy, France 80 years ago. Then they carried the story to Omaha Beach where that history played out. MEA member Matt Cottone, who teaches world history […]
MEA member Chad V. Broughman worked in early morning hours for 12 years to complete his work of historical-fiction, The Fall of Bellwether, and he pushed past challenges to get it published. But he still finds it hard to talk about himself in pitching the book to readers. This spring the 25-year English teacher from […]
We’ve improved the look and functionality of our online voter guide at MEAVotes.org! Take it for a test drive, and get involved to make a difference for your students and your profession: Find MEA recommended candidates on the ballot where you live. Give to MEA-PAC or volunteer to help elect friends of public education. Apply […]
As we were about to send this edition of the Voice to print, President Joe Biden ended his re-election bid. By the time you see this magazine we’ll know more, but two things are certain. First, Joe Biden deserves our thanks as educators and union members for his tireless efforts for students and workers alike. [...]
