In February, Martin McDonough became president of one of MEA’s largest local units—the Administrative Professional Association (APA) at Michigan State University. The next month, pandemic-related closures hit higher education in Michigan. Formerly a shop steward in the pipefitters union and vice-president of the APA, McDonough knew that in times of crisis people feel especially grateful […]
Kathy Bommarito worries that a decision this spring by the Avondale School District where she is union president could represent a foot in the door for online school vendors seeking to displace educators in the classroom. In May the Avondale School Board agreed to close Avondale Academy—named Michigan’s Alternative School of the Year in 2018—and […]
By Anthony Barnes Special Education teacher Kalamazoo Public Schools Being an educator is much more than a job or a career; it is a lifestyle. Living as an educator means that you strive for the betterment of the next generation. This work does not end when we leave our classrooms and the confines of the […]
MEA member Ben Henri teaches his vocal music and Quiz Bowl students in Grosse Pointe to celebrate each other’s successes, because “It makes everything that much sweeter,” he says. Last month his lesson came full circle when a group of his students held a watch party to see him compete—and win the $100,000 grand prize—in […]
The West Ottawa Education Association has been operating a summer Bookmobile – a library on wheels to bring reading to kids. This year, the program got a new bus, thanks to fundraising, community sponsors, and school district support. Members of the local union gave 1,000 hours of labor to sand, paint, and install bookshelves, enough […]
The U.S. Senate is poised to finally begin taking action on the next round of COVID-19 federal relief, which needs to include additional funding to help states and schools navigate this crisis. The U.S. House passed the HEROES Act in May, and since then NEA and MEA have been calling on Congress to pass $175 […]
MEA member Owen Bondono pledged to spend his time as the newest Michigan Teacher of the Year (MTOY) lifting up marginalized voices and working to ensure no children get left behind as schools face the unique challenges of operating amid a global pandemic. The ninth grade English Language Arts teacher from Oak Park’s Freshman Institute […]
To safely reopen for in-person learning next fall, schools across the state will be required to enact one of a range of safety plans based on the COVID-19 threat level their particular region is facing at a given time, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced on Tuesday. The MI Safe Schools Return to School Roadmap resulted from the […]
EAST LANSING — Following more than 15,000 survey responses from educators and discussions about the needs of both students and school employees, today MEA announced three key priorities the state’s largest education union feels must be fully addressed as we look toward safely returning to school buildings this fall. As our mission indicates, we believe […]
MEA is pleased to announce the 2020 Virtual MEA Summer Conference – no COVID-19 pandemic can stop us from gathering to get information to both learn and help our union brothers and sisters! The conference will be held on Wednesday, July 29, and Thursday, July 30, beginning with a message from MEA President Paula Herbart at 10 a.m. There […]
