“We all help provide education to students.”— Carol Urban, junior high paraeducator MEA member Carol Urban grew up in a military family and married her high school sweetheart who served 24 years in the U.S. Air Force, so she knows the special bond that connects spouses and families of active-duty service members. When her husband [...]
“Employees want something they can build for the future.”— Laken London, university accounting clerk MEA member Laken London loves to solve puzzles, so she’s a go-to person in her department at Saginaw Valley State University when people have a problem they can’t figure out. London is a senior accounting clerk in Scholarships and Financial Aid [...]
“No one goes to work to be hurt.” — Katerina Tyner, Preschool teacher associate MEA member Katerina Tyner suffered more than physical injury after an emotionally dysregulated preschool student threw an object that fractured her ankle last May. “I didn’t even get to say goodbye to those students after being there for them every day,” [...]
“These are essential elements that people need to live a dignified life.” — Robin Moore, college circulation specialist MEA member Robin Moore wants to change perceptions about the need for every worker to have a thriving wage, good health care, and a secure retirement. “These things are not entitlements; they’re essential elements that people need [...]
“It’s about a better future for my kids.” — Shona Espinoza, middle school paraeducator As a special education paraeducator in Kalamazoo Public Schools, MEA member Shona Espinoza serves as a lifeline for many kids but can’t afford the level of health care or housing she needs for herself and her son. Last year she moved [...]
Stories by MEA Voice Editor Brenda Ortega MEA member Robin Moore (left), who works at Lansing Community College, is a captain in the campaign. Jeff Wilson, who works at Michigan State University, is a member of the MEA Board of Directors and Ad-Hoc Committee for the campaign. MEA member Jeff Wilson sees the Michigan ESP [...]
Click to view online. In this issue: LETTER TO MEMBERS: After budget, what is next NEWS & NOTES: ICYMI // Quotables // Above and Beyond // Featured Update AEM/MiNE: Ensuring all are included MEMBER VOICES: Hard history teaches if we listen IN THE NEWS: UTSF recognition at MSU part of a growing movement IN THE […]
From WOOD-TV: A Spanish teacher at Ionia Middle School is using social media in a way that’s changing his students’ lives. Craig Gurnee, better known to his students as Señor Gurnee, has raised enough money to help 16 students travel abroad, demonstrating the power of culture and community. Read more.
On Thursday night, word came in Lansing that a budget deal was reached for the state’s new fiscal year that starts this Wednesday, Oct. 1. Related to that deal, the House passed several revenue enhancing bills for road funding. Details about what is in the education budget for preK-12 and higher education are unknown as […]
For MEA member Sarah Ellis, making art is essential to being alive and human — like breathing. “For as long as we’ve been able to recognize that humans have existed, we’ve found art alongside them,” she says. In a time of deep societal divisions, Ellis wants art to be a source of hope and empowerment […]
