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MEA member Amanda Walker and state Senator Chedrick Greene MEA member Amanda Walker first got to know newly elected state Sen. Chedrick Greene (D-Saginaw) before he was a candidate for the 35th-District seat in a special election in May. A teacher in Bay City, Walker and Greene — a fire captain in Saginaw — both participated in a one-year, multi-partisan…

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor “Teaching opened my eyes to how personal politics can be when you live it every single day.” - Amanda Walker When MEA member Amanda Walker took a lead role organizing Saginaw-Midland-Bay City educators to vote in a spring special election for a vacant state senate seat, the goal was to energize everyone — but…

MEA’s communications staff took home several national awards for writing, design and digital entries, competing against other large-state affiliates at the State Education Association Communicators conference in June. Campaigns: Digital Organizing — Award of Excellence / Michigan ESP Bill of Rights Video: Short Form — Award of Distinction / Michigan ESP Bill of Rights: “One Job Should Be Enough” Design: Graphic Element —…

In recent years, we’ve accomplished great things for our students and members — from free meals and increased school funding to restored labor rights and greater educator voice in policy. We’re proud of those gains, achieved on the heels of a dark time for public education and unions. (Read more about that recent history in this Voice issue.) Those victories…

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Michelle James In the 16 years since becoming a paraeducator in Fraser Public Schools, MEA member Michelle  James helped form a union, assisted in bargaining the group’s first contract, and held every position in her local — including her current role as president. But it wasn’t until a recent bout with cancer that James…

The Michigan Education Association is proud to announce recommendations for the following federal races, in collaboration with the National Education Association: U.S. Senate: Abdul El-Sayed 7th Congressional District: William Lawrence 10th Congressional District: Christina Hines During recent screening interviews with MEA members, these candidates have shown they share MEA's commitment to the promise of public education and the opportunity it provides to every student.…

The Michigan Education Association is recommending Jocelyn Benson’s candidacy for governor, the state’s largest public employee union and education organization announced Monday. Jocelyn Benson is the best candidate for governor when it comes to improving our public schools, bringing down costs for working families and creating a brighter future for every Michigan student, noted MEA’s Statewide Screening and Recommendation Committee,…

By Chandra Madafferi, President & CEO, Michigan Education Association “I left my gallbladder in Kentucky” might sound like the refrain of a bad country song – but it’s also been my recent reality. I am incredibly thankful for the care I received from the doctors, nurses and hospital staff during a recent health emergency while traveling. At the same time,…

As part of the early July budget compromise, bills passed mandating K-5 educator science of reading training over the next five years (HB 5697), and a corresponding inclusion of those concepts in teacher preparation programs (HB 5646).  Importantly, several key changes to the training bill were made in the State Senate, including: Requiring at least two different training providers to…

Albeit a few days late, passage of the state education budget for the 2026-27 school year on Friday, July 3, allows educators and schools to focus on getting ready to help students succeed this fall.   The education budget includes modest increases — $250 (up to $10,300) per student for the foundation allowance and 1% for community colleges and higher…