By Dan Clason

Clason, an MEA member in Clarkston, is the 2026 MEA Educational Excellence Award winner and Michigan’s nominee for the NEA Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence. He’s a prime example of how educational excellence and collective action go hand-in-hand — especially when it comes to the power of contributing to PAC.

Attacks on public education have become the modus operandi of a political movement that aims to destroy it. In times like this it is vital to remember that hopelessness does us no good. It is a tool of those who oppose our mission and we must meet it with the only thing that can conquer it; hope.

I personally find no greater source of hope than knowing that I am one of countless educators who carries the well-being of our students in my heart.

As a young teacher in the South, I came to recognize the power of grassroots collective action firsthand where union power was incredibly limited. During my time in Mississippi and Texas, I came to know that even in the most dire situations, when educators came together, we won.

The power of people, working together with one voice has proven throughout history to be the most effective way to fix broken systems and to level the playing field. It is through collective action, joining both our voices and our dollars together as one, that our message will be heard.

As a former local chair for the MEA Political Action Committee, I understand that it is always a difficult time to ask for money, but I implore you to remember that these resources are crucial in our fight not only for our union, but for everything that public education represents.

Through our PAC contributions we can support state and national candidates who support our cause, we can keep our seat at the table, and we will bring the fight to our local communities by supporting candidates who will have the most direct impact on our daily lives.

If we want a strong public education system that serves all children of our nation, we must demand it. We must put in place those that we know will work with us and not against us, and we must build the relationships with those in positions to make change and hold them accountable.

The simplest way to do that is by giving to MEA-PAC today. Allowing your dollar to do the talking sends the message that public educators are willing to fight for our students and for what public ed means for our country.

Thank you for all of the work that you do. I know that one job should be enough, but as we all know in public ed, there’s always something more to be done. As we approach Election Day, remember that there will be more students coming who need you, and all of us, to fight for them because they cannot fight for themselves.

Learn more — including how to give to MEA-PAC, make your voting plan and find local recommended candidates — at MEAVotes.org!