This Teacher Appreciation Week, MEA is asking everyone – parents, students, community members – to Champion An Educator by stepping up to the microphones in their lives and sharing the positive influence of Michigan’s hardworking educators.

One way to communicate your appreciation for the educators in your life is to share social media posts on Facebook and Twitter, and encourage others to let educators know they are seen and heard!

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sent a message of thanks and appreciation with her own story of a teacher who made a difference at a difficult point in her life. Watch it here.

This year especially, educators have worked through incredible demands and exhaustion, giving students the supports and instruction needed to succeed despite unpredictable conditions.

In recognition of that reality, this week educators from across the country are sharing with NEA what they really need to feel appreciated – ranging from increased resources to meet rapidly growing student needs to de-escalation of political rhetoric that is attempting to drive a wedge between parents and public schools.

On that note a statewide group of Michigan parents this week urged politicians and parents to restore civility in discussing education issues and end more than a year of divisiveness over topics such as science-based COVID-19 safety measures and equitable, inclusive classroom curriculums.

The Michigan Parent Alliance for Safe Schools called on the Legislature to pass measures that strengthen children’s learning, retain and recruit teachers and empower school staff and administrators.