Newsroom
MEA’s RA approves budget, resolutions and more
Nearly 400 MEA members gathered in East Lansing for the 2024 Representative Assembly (RA) last weekend, passing the 2024-25 MEA budget, electing members to MEA and NEA boards and approving items and resolutions on human rights, artificial intelligence and gun safety, among other business. Delegates to MEA’s largest governing body heard from MEA President Chandra Madafferi on the many legislative…
Federal funds aid both Wyoming educators and students
Jeremy Schnotala- Wyoming Education-Association President In Wyoming Public Schools, union leaders and district officials found a way to spend federal COVID-relief dollars that altogether honors the expertise of local educators, promises dynamic instruction for students, and offers a foothold in the profession to early career educators for years to come. The Kent County district used a portion of its federal…
We need paid parental leave
By Shana Saddler While on maternity leave, I heard from a number of my colleagues with well wishes and congratulations: “I am so happy for you!” and “I am so proud of you.” However, the one that stood out most in the very forefront of my mind ended with the words, “I will see you in six weeks.” SIX WEEKS!…
‘Blessed and lucky guy’ honored for excellence
MEA member Matt Hamilton believes his willingness to take risks spurs great teaching, so the fact it also generates occasional failures doesn’t stop him. “I’m just a regular teacher who’s trying new things, so it’s not perfect every day by any means,” he says. It was a leap of faith 16 years ago – just five years into his middle…
Delta professor seeks change through history
Amy French and colleagues at Delta College use cardboard cutouts and QR codes to highlight the stories of women who’ve shaped history MEA member Amy French disrupts students’ expectations in the history classes she leads at Delta College in Bay County’s University Center by asking at the outset: “So what am I teaching this semester?” French isn’t joking or trying to…
Blind teacher and Paralympic athlete shows students anything is possible
John Kusku uses a special smartboard to teach math at the Oakland Technical Campus Southwest. MEA member John Kusku has faced extra challenges throughout his 39 years, but he learned a key philosophy from his mother who told him as a little boy: Goals might be harder for you to achieve, but you can still do anything you want. “That’s…
School food service professionals deliver on state’s popular free school meals program
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Delee Bruining says hard work and consistent team effort make it possible to feed 600 kids a day at Wyoming Junior High School. The professionals entrusted with delivering healthy, delicious food to hundreds of thousands of students in school cafeterias across Michigan say they’re serving more kids than ever as part of the state’s…
Flint teachers reach settlement with Flint Community Schools
After months of uncertainty, Flint educators and Flint Community Schools approved a settlement agreement this week that respects the professionalism of Flint teachers and will help attract and retain the quality educators that Flint students need to succeed. “This landmark agreement, reached after nearly 15 hours of collaborative, honest and constructive dialogue, reflects our shared dedication to fostering an environment…
Eastern UP internet connectivity supported by ARP funding
In the best of times, Michigan’s rural public-school districts face major hurdles in accessing reliable internet service to provide instructional technology that helps students succeed in remote parts of the state. This is particularly true in the Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District (EUPISD), where educators realized early on during the COVID-19 pandemic that a community-wide plan of action was…
Young aspiring educators provide hope for Michigan’s future
By Chandra Madafferi MEA President Chandra Madafferi addresses young aspiring educators at the inaugural Educators Rising conference at Wayne State University Ever since I could stand, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. My dad bought a few desks and an old chalkboard and put them in our basement. I even have funny memories of creating “lesson plans” for…