During this season of celebration, dedication to public service is something worth honoring — especially in school employees who work with the students who will lead us to a brighter future.

From PreK-12 through higher education, the service of MEA members shines a light for young people to find their way academically and beyond the classroom. We all have this in common: our gratitude for educators who’ve made a difference in the lives of others.

The subject of our cover story in this issue, MEA-Retired member Jim McCloughan, affected countless students and athletes over 40 years of teaching and coaching in South Haven Public Schools — after displaying remarkable heroism on the battlefields of Vietnam as a draftee just out of college.

His story of courage and determination, which earned him a Congressional Medal of Honor, can be a source of inspiration for us as we navigate challenges of our lives and professions.

McCloughan’s story is extraordinary — but so too is the public service to students, families and communities that MEA members provide across Michigan day in and day out.

From classrooms to school buses to college campuses and beyond, educators make powerful impacts on young people and the future. Without fanfare and often in the quiet of a one-on-one conversation, MEA members help students understand the world around them and how they can use their gifts to make it a better place for everyone.

The holiday season fills our buckets with hope and good cheer, but it’s the life-changing work our members perform all year long, one student at a time, that fuels our passion and drive as we move into 2026.

From all of us at MEA, we wish you happy, healthy and safe holidays!

In Solidarity Always,

Chandra Madafferi, MEA President and CEO

Brett Smith, MEA Vice President

Aaron Eling, MEA Secretary-Treasurer