One of the things that becomes apparent in reading this issue of the Voice is how much expertise and caring MEA members bring to the table. We know our kids, our schools, our communities and – most of all – our profession. The question is when will our understanding, knowledge, and dedication to students be […]
Frequently Asked Questions What does it mean for us to form a union? Forming a union allows you and your colleagues to come together and advocate for yourselves. As union members, you’ll decide what priorities you share and how to address them. While you will elect your own officers and board, that’s just the beginning. [...]
The election for AEM President/NEA-RA Delegate, AEM Vice President, AEM Secretary-Treasurer, and AEM NEA-RA Alternate Delegate will be open Monday, March 27, 2023, through Friday, March 31, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. The term of office for all positions is one year beginning May 1, 2023, through April 30, 2024. The following are the candidates for […]
Several MEA members, including Michigan Teacher of the Year Leah Porter, testified last week at a hearing on the varied causes behind growing educator shortages before the Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid and Department of Education. The subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Brad Paquette (R-Niles), heard wide-ranging explanations for why educators are leaving the profession and […]
The pressures of COVID have reinforced a belief long held by David Schneider, a Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) professor and the faculty union’s chief negotiator for 25 years: “Not everything needs to be negotiated for us to have a voice.” Funding in three federal COVID-relief packages included tens of millions of dollars for Michigan […]
Morale among educators in South Redford is the worst Bill Dyer has seen in 28 years as a math teacher in the district, the local union president said. He also has never before seen 10 teaching positions open mid-year—which was the number unfilled last month. “It’s been an uphill battle for us to attract new teachers, […]
As with other roles in education these days, school psychologists in Michigan are in short supply. MEA member Joe Sbar—the current Michigan School Psychologist of the Year—says not enough college students are entering the profession to replace those retiring. “We have an exposure problem,” Sbar said. “It’s a great job, but people don’t know what […]
If a student comes to school nurse Phyllis Yoder with a stomachache three days out of the week, the MEA member will consider a number of causes. Perhaps the child is hungry because of food insecurity in his life. Possibly a medical condition is at the root of the problem. Or maybe there’s a behavioral […]
For MEA member Andrew Stewart, half of his four-year career as a school social worker has been altered by COVID. He’s seen a lot of change and upheaval, and he’s learned some crucial lessons alongside his colleagues at Lincoln Park Public Schools. The number-one takeaway Stewart has applied this year following last year’s remote and […]
In the best of times, school counselors play many roles that serve the mental health, academic, and career advising needs of the entire student population of a building. In not-so-great times, like now, it’s tough to meet the immediate demands of one counselor’s caseload. Today in Michigan one school counselor exists for every 670 students. […]
