Newsroom

Chedrick Greene won big in Tuesday’s special election in Senate District 35 in Saginaw, Bay and Midland counties, thanks to support from local educators who recommended his candidacy to fellow MEA members. When Greene takes office shortly, the Senate majority will return to a 20-18 advantage for the Democratic caucus. As an MEA recommended candidate, Greene benefitted from mobilization of members…

Kim Sandefur, a fifth-grade teacher in Comstock Public Schools, speaks Wednesday at a press conference outside of the Michigan Hall of Justice, where the Supreme Court was set to begin oral arguments in the “stalled bills” case. Before the state Supreme Court held oral arguments Wednesday morning in the “stalled bills” case, MEA members and other public employees gathered outside…

By Chandra Madafferi, President & CEO of the Michigan Education Association Close your eyes and imagine an elementary school teacher. The chances are good that you pictured a woman. You can’t be blamed for that assumption, as preK-12 education is one of the least gender-diverse professions around. Men make up less than 24% of total teachers in Michigan, according to…

The Michigan Education Association announced Monday the following recommendations of candidates for Michigan Congressional districts: 1st District: Callie Barr 3rd District: Rep. Hillary Scholten 4th District: State Sen. Sean McCann 6th District: Rep. Debbie Dingell 7th District: Bridget Brink 8th District: Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet 10th District: Tim Greimel 11th District: State Sen. Jeremy Moss 12th District: Rep. Rashida Tlaib 13th…

There are many factors to consider when planning for a secure retirement, and one of them is Social Security. Navigating a government program can seem overwhelming, however, you will be amazed at how easy it is to work with Social Security, navigate their planning resources, get your questions answered, and utilize the online tools to ensure you make the right…

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Gov. Gretchen Whitmer addresses hundreds of MEA delegates from across Michigan at MEA’s 2026 Spring Regional Assembly in Grand Rapids. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appeared at the MEA Representative Assembly (RA) last weekend to receive an inaugural MEA award named after her in honor of her work over eight years in office to restore public education…

Mother and daughter — Johnnie Sue Petrich and Karen Christian — shared their family’s value of unionism and bond as fellow Flint educators as part of Karen receiving the Paul Blewett Award at the MEA Representative Assembly. When Karen Christian was growing up in Flint, both of her parents were public school teachers and leaders in United Teachers of Flint…

The Michigan Education Association is praising the state Senate’s 2026-27 education budget proposal, saying it prioritizes and protects students in the wake of widespread federal cuts. “For the sake of our students and their future, state lawmakers must work together to ensure local schools have adequate, stable funding,” said MEA President and CEO Chandra Madafferi, a teacher from Oakland County.…

Shoe Club Nation is searching Michigan for middle school teachers who believe every kid has a story worth telling. Applications open April 21. Somewhere in a Michigan middle school right now, a teacher is staying late for a student no one else has figured out how to reach. Shoe Club Nation wants to find that teacher. The program, founded by…

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer addresses hundreds of MEA delegates from across Michigan at MEA’s 2026 Spring Regional Assembly in Grand Rapids. In recognition of her steadfast service and advocacy for Michigan’s students and educators, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was presented with and made the namesake of the Michigan Education Association’s inaugural “Gretchen Whitmer Champion for Education” award Saturday at MEA’s Representative Assembly in East…