Members of the Plymouth-Canton Lightning Robotics team gathered around their newest team member behind the plexiglass wall, providing a quick tutorial on the controls.

In no time, a robot was launching balls into the air as the team’s newest operator beamed with excitement: NEA President Princess Moss kept driving — gathering balls, lining up her shot and launching them toward the target bin. With every launch, her enthusiasm and smile grew.

The robotics lesson highlighted a brand new state-of-the-art technology and innovation center at Canton High School — part of a national Back-To-School tour for the newly elected NEA leader to meet with members and witness work happening in public schools.

Moss began her tenure as NEA president on Sept. 1, capping a 30-year career as an educator and union leader. A powerful advocate, Moss connected, listened and learned at every stop on her two-day Michigan tour.

In Ann Arbor, Moss joined educators rallying after months of working without a contract. She met with members and heard about the challenges they face before standing alongside them in solidarity and delivering a rousing speech to cheers from rally participants.

“It was an honor to welcome NEA President Princess Moss to our local association,” said Fred Klein, Ann Arbor Education Association president. “Her presence, support, and words of solidarity meant so much to our members.”

Moss traded the rally stage for breakfast trays in Ypsilanti Community Schools.

At Puentes Multilingual School, Moss helped serve breakfast to students, read to a classroom, and joined the school community for an assembly — taking time along the way to talk with students and educators and learn more about their school.

Puentes is a newer Dual Language Spanish Immersion School in the district to help students build Spanish fluency while deepening their understanding of diverse cultures.

“We feel special in this district to have her presence in our building. It means so much because it gives us an opportunity to highlight the work we’re doing here in Ypsilanti,” said MEA member and educator Charlotte Tillerson.

“This is our second year opening Puentes, and now the program is growing so much,” said Rhoshawda Miller, MEA member and educator. “It’s wonderful for President Moss to experience this as we’re growing and thriving. I’m just glad she’s here in Michigan with us!”

Moss has said her leadership rests on five priorities: continuous organizing, grassroots direction from local and state affiliates, driving policy with earned expertise, issue-based advocacy that transcends party lines, and securing greater investment in public schools.

That emphasis on grassroots voices and earned expertise was on display as Moss sat down with MEA members for the ESP Bill of Rights Round Table, hearing directly from education support professionals leading a statewide movement around improving compensation, working conditions and respect for ESPs.

For Moss, the conversation also carried a personal connection. Both of her parents were public school bus drivers — something that resonated with Leslie Bailey-Leonard, an MEA member and ESP Bill of Rights Roundtable participant.

“I loved that she led with and talked about both of her parents being bus drivers,” Bailey-Leonard said. “It’s just truly amazing to think that you come from two bus drivers and now you’re the NEA President. It’s inspiring and I have true hope that someone growing up and seeing the struggle would definitely lead the charge to improve things for us all.”

Just days into her tenure as NEA president, Moss’s Michigan visit provided an early look at her approach to leadership — listening to members and learning firsthand from the people doing the work in public schools.

Her Back-to-School Tour is taking that approach to communities across the country, giving Moss the opportunity to hear directly from educators while highlighting the work happening every day in public schools.

Before leaving Michigan, Moss shared a message for MEA members.

“I’m happy to be here in Michigan and wish you all of the success as you go into this new school year. Know that the National Education Association is behind you and we support you a thousand percent.”