Professional Development

One of the missions that MEA-Retired member James McCloughan enjoys the most these days is serving as chairman of the Medal of Honor Character Development Program. The program provides free training and curriculum for educators in grades K-5 and 6-12 to teach students core values. Lessons are designed by educators and built around the stories of recipients of the Congressional…

MEA Presidents’ Academy forum brainstorms policy changes to meet student needs on high school requirements, literacy By Chandra Madafferi MEA President & CEO In October, more than sixty teachers and academic leaders from across Michigan — representing every grade level and region — gathered for a dynamic discussion led by local presidents committed to reimagining the future of education. The…

Paraeducators have long said they needed higher pay plus better training to improve staff retention and equip them for the vital and challenging work they do in schools. That message was heard loud and clear at an MEA paraeducator summit in 2023. From there, a new statewide training series was developed in partnership with the Michigan Association of Administrators of…

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor MEA member Corey Rosser was named the 2025‑25 Michigan Teacher of the Year at a ceremony in May attended by his students. When MEA member Corey Rosser first sought a teaching job after college 20 years ago, the landscape was competitive and his only offer came from a school that didn’t fit the dream…

By Dr Charles Hulme, CEO & Founder of OxEd & Assessment, Emeritus Professor of Psychology and Education, University of Oxford Oral language is the heart of literacy and learning. It’s fundamental to a child’s educational journey, serving as the foundation for reading, comprehension, communication, and social interaction. Students need to understand and be understood to thrive. Yet despite the significant…

A paraeducator wants to grow in the role. A veteran high school teacher seeks targeted professional development. A school counselor aspires to strengthen supports for a diverse student population. Where can educators turn to fulfill their desire to learn, lead and be valued? The MEA LearnCenter is a new online learning platform launched this year to meet those challenges. Designed…

Dr. Kathryn Dirkin, director of Partnerships and Programming at CMU’s MiCAREER hub. By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Like its name, the MiCAREER Resource Hub offers simplicity on the surface and complexity underneath. For current and prospective educators who want to teach or change roles to fill a vacancy in rural schools, it’s simple: The resource hub promises a personalized…

“When we raise up our early career educators, we lift up the education profession.” - Erinn Parker, MEA MiNE representative From the federal level down to local districts, schools, and classrooms, more issues than ever are competing for educators’ attention and advocacy. The specific concerns facing early-career educators do not always make it to the top of the priorities list.…

MEA member Lindsey Wilson holds a position in Lowell Area Schools that rarely existed in Michigan school districts just five years ago. Wilson is a behavior coach, assigned to address needs of students exhibiting the most challenging classroom behaviors. She doesn’t work directly with children most of the time. Like an instructional coach, she brings an expert perspective to help…

Erinn Parker The young leaders of MEA’s Michigan New Educators—MiNE—are presenting a virtual series called “Tackling Tough Topics,” professional development they designed to help newer educators survive the cold, dark days of winter. Register now! While early-career educators may have attended other professional learning opportunities centered around these topics, this one is tailored to their needs, facilitated by peers from…