By Chandra Madafferi, President & CEO, Michigan Education Association As America turns 250, we should acknowledge the critical role public education has played in making our nation the global leader it is today, and why we as a country must recommit ourselves to strengthening every single school — so that every single student has a […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Never as a journalist in metropolitan Kansas City, nor an assistant professor at a mid-size public university in Missouri, did MEA member Matt Bird-Meyer get a kiss from comedian and late-night talk host Stephen Colbert. Bird-Meyer notched that unbelievable experience after becoming a professor of journalism and humanities at […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor A compelling charcoal drawing titled “Eyedentity,” selected as Best in Show at this year’s 62nd MEA/MAEA Art Acquisitions Purchase Exhibition, was inspired by a Social Security application, says the Fraser art teacher who won the top award. MEA member Andrew Monroe said he created the artwork after filling out […]
By Erik Edoff, Senior Executive Director, Michigan Education Association Alert: Please take 90 seconds to contact your lawmakers today and urge them to focus on passing a budget that protects Michigan students and schools by the end of June. Follow this link. State leaders must set aside election-year politics and bring much-needed stability to our […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 20, 2026) Contact: Matt Hamilton • matthamilton@ejps.org • 616-916-6569 For 18 years, Shoe Club Nation lived in a single Michigan middle school classroom. This past school year, it lived in four. Today, founder Matt Hamilton announced that the program will expand to ten additional Michigan schools for the 2026-27 academic year, […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor A diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) explained why MEA member Erik Meerschaert couldn’t read in second grade. Now the Lake Orion special education teacher points to his neurological difference as a power that has shaped his success. Known for his shining positivity and leadership in providing inclusive […]
By Chandra Madafferi, President & CEO of the Michigan Education Association Close your eyes and imagine an elementary school teacher. The chances are good that you pictured a woman. You can’t be blamed for that assumption, as preK-12 education is one of the least gender-diverse professions around. Men make up less than 24% of total […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appeared at the MEA Representative Assembly (RA) last weekend to receive an inaugural MEA award named after her in honor of her work over eight years in office to restore public education and respect educator voices. Delegates to the RA gathered in East Lansing for the […]
When Karen Christian was growing up in Flint, both of her parents were public school teachers and leaders in United Teachers of Flint who taught her the importance of unions. Last week at the MEA Representative Assembly, after a dozen years as UTF president having led the unit through multiple crises to a celebrated contract, […]
