Newsroom

MEA’s Statewide Screening and Recommendation Committee, comprised of everyday educators from across Michigan, met on Saturday, May 9 to interview candidates for governor and then discuss potentially recommending a candidate for the gubernatorial election. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson accepted MEA’s invitation to participate in our member-driven screening and…

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor For MEA member Brian Dalton, everything he’s learned about life — and teaching middle school kids — can be summed up in a project that he’s worked on since January and will culminate in a sold-out public performance on June 2 at The Roxy Rochester. Preparations inside his classroom at West Middle School in…

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Erik Meerschaert, a special education teacher at Lake Orion High School, was named 2026-27 Michigan Teacher of the Year on Wednesday. MEA member Erik Meerschaert, a special education teacher at Lake Orion High School known for his positivity and leadership in providing inclusive opportunities for all students, was named the 2026-27 Michigan Teacher of…

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…