For News Media

MEA announces initial candidate recommendations for Congressional races
EAST LANSING – The Michigan Education Association is pleased to announce the following recommendations of candidates for Michigan Congressional districts: 3rd District – Hillary Scholten 6th District – Debbie Dingell 7th District – Elissa Slotkin 8th District – Dan Kildee 10th District – Carl Marlinga 12th District – Rashida Tlaib “Local educators interviewed candidates in their congressional districts and are…

MEA calls for immediate state House action on Oxford relief legislation
EAST LANSING — The Michigan Education Association is calling on the state House to immediately take action on legislation providing bureaucratic relief to students and educators affected by last fall’s Oxford school shooting. The state Senate on March 24 unanimously approved Senate Bills 940 and 941, sponsored by Sen. Rosemary Bayer, D-Keego Harbor. These bills would provide relief from days…

49 outstanding public school students awarded 2022 MEA Scholarship
EAST LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Education Association today announced the recipients of the 2022 MEA Scholarships, honoring exemplary public school students from across the state who will be attending a Michigan university next fall. Among the 426 applications submitted for scholarship awards this year, the MEA Scholarship Fund Trustees chose 22 new award recipients who will each receive $1,600.…

Labor Voices: Let Michigan’s educators know you stand with them
This is Teacher Appreciation Week – but many who work in public education aren’t feeling particularly appreciated. Educators find themselves under relentless attack by a small-but-loud minority of political extremists who are polluting the public sphere with rage and disinformation. We need everyday Michiganders to stand up for educators and make their voices heard, because our children’s future is on…

MEA member librarians concerned about lack of equity in school services
EAST LANSING — As School Library Month draws to a close, Michigan Education Association member and veteran media specialist Kathy Lester is working tirelessly to advocate for Michigan’s certified school librarians, who play a pivotal role in preparing students for success but whose numbers have drastically declined in the state. Lester, a media specialist in Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, will take over…

MEA and Ferris Faculty Association Respond to Senate’s Rejection of Qualified Educator to FSU Board
Retired Ferris State University professor Michael Ryan, Ph.D. EAST LANSING — Michigan Education Association President Paula Herbart and Ferris State University Faculty Association President Charles Bacon issued the following statement Thursday in response to the Michigan Senate’s unfair rejection of Michael Ryan, Ph.D., to the FSU Board of Trustees: “It is unconscionable that Senate Republicans would reject Gov. Whitmer’s appointment…

MEA President Paula Herbart’s statement on shooting death of Patrick Lyoya
EAST LANSING — Michigan Education Association President Paula Herbart issued the following statement Thursday regarding the killing of Patrick Lyoya and the critical role educators play in fostering community conversations about social justice and equity: “Like so many others, I was saddened and angered to watch the horrific video of Patrick Lyoya’s senseless death. These haunting images beg questions about…

Labor Voices: State leaders must support young educators for the sake of our kids
A lot has changed with teaching in the three decades since I began as a student teacher in Oak Park Schools — much of it to the detriment of Michigan children, educators and families. If policymakers don't take immediate action to support aspiring and early career educators, Michigan students will face irreparable harm. I remember those early days as a…
MEA announces recommendations for state Supreme Court and education boards
EAST LANSING – The Michigan Education Association is recommending the reelection this November of Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein, the association of teachers, education support professionals and higher-education faculty announced Thursday. “Richard Bernstein is a longtime advocate for children with special needs, people with disabilities and everyday working people, and we are proud to recommend him for another term…

Educators urge Whitmer to veto tax break for corporations and the wealthy
State leaders should invest in children, working families and seniors in need LANSING —Michigan’s education unions issued the following statement Thursday urging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to veto Senate Bill 768, which would provide tax breaks for Michigan’s wealthiest individuals and corporations while causing drastic budget shortfalls for students and educators. The following can be attributed to AFT Michigan President David…
Media Inquiries
Media Hotline:
517/337-5508
800/292-1934, Ext. 5508
Paula J. Herbart, MEA President
pherbart@mea.org
Doug Pratt
Director of Public Affairs
dpratt@mea.org
Thomas Morgan
Communications Consultant
tmorgan@mea.org
Brenda Ortega
Editor
bortega@mea.org