As educators, we know our voices matter. By belonging to MEA, we raise our voices together and advocate for stronger schools through collective strength.

If we want to create stronger local schools, we must stay involved in the political process. Every decision about public education — from educator pay and healthcare costs to per-pupil funding and certification requirements — is a political decision made by the leaders we’re electing this November.

It’s up to us to make our voices heard in political decisions about public education by electing leaders from school boards to the governor’s office to Congress who will listen.

That includes leaders like Jocelyn Benson, who understands that we are the experts on student learning. As our next governor, Jocelyn will ensure we always have a seat at the table and a voice in decisions about our schools.

Jocelyn understands that we can’t improve student outcomes if we don’t have enough qualified teachers, school support staff and other educators working in every public school, helping every student fulfill their potential.

We need to recruit and retain the high‑quality educators our students need by providing school employees with increased compensation, affordable healthcare and a secure retirement.

Jocelyn gets it: Increasing educator compensation is a key pillar of her comprehensive education plan. Learn more at JocelynBenson.com.

In addition to increasing educator pay, Jocelyn will protect the progress we have made in Michigan over the past eight years, including increased school funding, free breakfast and lunch, mental health supports, workplace rights and other critical areas.

This November, let’s elect leaders who will listen to the voices of educators as the frontline experts on education — and provide our members from Pre‑K through higher education with the resources we need to help students succeed and thrive.

Please visit MEAVotes.org to find friends of public education on your local ballot. Then get out and vote — using absentee ballot drop boxes, voting early in‑person, or heading to polls on Election Day. And contribute to MEA‑PAC to help get pro‑education candidates over the finish line.

Our educator voices matter; let’s make sure we’re heard loud and clear across our state this November.

In solidarity always,

Chandra Madafferi, MEA President and CEO

Robert L. Callender, MEA Vice President

Aaron Eling, MEA Secretary-Treasurer