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West Ottawa EA President Theresann Pyrett with former educator and current State Rep. Regina Weiss, who chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid and Education. A state House committee heard testimony from West Ottawa Education Association President Theresann Pyrett today in support of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s MI Kids Back on Track program and the importance of funding academic interventions…

Sen. Winnie Brinks Winnie Brinks may be the new state Senate Majority Leader from Grand Rapids, but on Feb. 13 she was another of so many parents “sick with dread” while texting a son or daughter locked down on campus at Michigan State University amid an active shooting. Sen. Brinks was among the Democratic leaders, MEA President Paula Herbart, and…

This week, the State House passed Senate Bill 12, which eliminates the retention requirement from Michigan’s third-grade reading law. Passed in 2016, this law requires third-graders to be held back if they score below grade level on a high-stakes standardized reading test. SB 12 has already passed the State Senate — it now heads to Gov. Whitmer for her signature, which…

MEA members across the state are speaking out about the need for the legislature to pass commonsense gun safety reforms immediately in the wake of the Oxford and MSU school shootings. There is an afternoon event coming up in March for you to add your voice to that call to action: On Thursday, March 23 — the last session day…

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation Tuesday rolling back Michigan’s unfair retirement tax, as retired educators and others looked on. MEA President Paula Herbart, who stood immediately to the governor’s left as she signed the bill at a Capitol ceremony, said “it’s a big day for working families in our state.” “MEA applauds Gov. Whitmer for providing relief to hard-working retirees…

State Rep. Matt Koleszar, an MEA member who taught in Airport Community Schools, testifies before the House Labor Committee on legislation he’s introduced to repeal anti-educator laws passed 12 years ago. State laws severely restricting educators' collective bargaining rights could be on the chopping block if state Rep. Matt Koleszar, an MEA member and former teacher, gets his way. The…

Hana St. Juliana. Tate Myre. Madisyn Baldwin. Justin Shilling. Arielle Anderson. Brian Fraser. Alexandria Verner. I could spend the 600 words of this column just printing the names of young people killed by gun violence in our schools, starting with these seven murdered at Oxford High School and Michigan State University. Because, frankly, I’m running out of ways to ask…

In light of the tragedy on MSU’s campus, the following bills have been introduced in the State Senate and House and will likely see quick action: SB 76/ HB 4138 - Would require license or background check for purchase of firearms. SB 77/ HB 4142 - Updates references to a pistol in the State’s penal code. TIE BAR WITH SB…

In my school building, I often stop to admire a picturesque mural of a black ship in a blue ocean and to recall the wise words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt: “Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.” Shana Saddler In difficult times, it’s important to remember that we grow into leadership roles. As educators, our ability to lead in…

With the Michigan Capitol as backdrop, standing less than 10 miles from the site of a deadly mass shooting at Michigan State University one week ago, advocates pressed state lawmakers to enact legislation to end the epidemic of gun violence that strikes fear in schools and communities. MEA President Paula Herbart, flanked by AFT President David Hecker and student activists,…