Social Justice
MEA is committed to social justice for Michigan students, school employees and the public at large. Education can be a powerful force for change and MEA members, as educators, can foster that change in our communities and our schools.
As MEA’s platform states, “Every person, regardless of race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, national origin or physical, mental or emotional disability, has the right to equal opportunity for education and employment and equal rights of citizenship as established in the nation and state by the constitutions, statutes and judicial decisions.”
Social Justice News
Growing Libraries with Representation
AEM President Aryana Jharia poses with student winners of the contest, who each received a gift card and book. The Aspiring Educators of Michigan (AEM) wrapped up their latest reading/writing competition with an awards ceremony for students who were asked to analyze which voices were missing from their school’s book collections. The “Growing Libraries with Representation” project, funded by a…
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champion: Kaitie Paynich
Kaitie Paynich Spanish teacher Kaitie Paynich has helped students at Portage Northern High School feel safe and nurtured through her efforts to strengthen the school’s Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) club and create a gender-affirming closet and free store open to all. Paynich was chosen to lead the program when it re-started in 2016. “It was super-heartwarming to see our students advocate…
The Evolution of Student Voice
By Jessyca Mathews Carman-Ainsworth High School This fall Carman-Ainsworth High School became first in Genesee County to offer the new AP African American Studies class which was piloted nationally over the past two years. “Ms. Mathews, why don't we have Black History courses here?” I've heard this question often over two decades of teaching. In fact I asked the same…
Jessyca Mathews: Opening doors for others
".. I want to open doors for others to have the chance to lead and be role models for all of our students."– Jessyca Mathews, teacher at Carman-Ainsworth High School in Flint and president of the Michigan Council of Teachers of English. MEA member Jessyca Mathews teaches her students to find their passions and bring individual strengths to bear in…
Attend Virtual Social Justice Conference on April 27
Register now for MEA’s inaugural Social Justice Conference, happening virtually on Saturday, April 27. Learn more about the schedule, which includes sessions, breakouts and roundtable conversations to help improve your understand of social justice issues and how they intersect with our work in public education.
Saginaw teacher honored as community leader
This fall MEA member Arshen Baldwin was honored by the NAACP Saginaw Branch with its 2023 Young Professionals Award for playing multiple roles to improve her community – nearly 20 years after she took one of the hardest routes toward becoming a teacher. Baldwin started out as an untrained substitute in a classroom where her predecessor walked away, unable to…
Despite book bans and smear campaigns, I count my blessings
By Debbie Carew Debbie Carew In my wildest imagination I never expected to be harassed and defamed for being an educator, especially one who defends literature and intellectual freedom. But that is what I’m facing for standing up to protect students’ access to a variety of reading and educational materials. In Brandywine Community Schools where I teach in Niles, four…
Join MEA Members in celebrating Loving Day on June 12th.
In 1967, Mildred & Richard Loving’s case, Loving v. Virginia, struck down all state laws against interracial marriage in the US. Loving Day is about celebrating love beyond boundaries. The video features photos submitted by your union family who celebrate this impactful holiday.
Labor Voices: Kids deserve better than book-banning and vitriolic political stunts
Michigan schools are facing significant challenges that require all of us to come together and work as a team for the betterment of our children — yet some political extremists are dead set on fanning the flames of their culture war and using our kids as their political pawns. This small-but-vocal minority’s latest target in their ongoing efforts to sow…
MEA President Paula Herbart’s statement on shooting death of Patrick Lyoya
EAST LANSING — Michigan Education Association President Paula Herbart issued the following statement Thursday regarding the killing of Patrick Lyoya and the critical role educators play in fostering community conversations about social justice and equity: “Like so many others, I was saddened and angered to watch the horrific video of Patrick Lyoya’s senseless death. These haunting images beg questions about…