The 2025 MEA Awards for Human Rights & Excellence

The MEA awards for Human Rights & Excellence are awarded at the MEA Winter Conference, MEA Summer Conference, and MEA Representative Assembly.  Nominations are accepted October 1 – December 31 of the previous year.

Nominating individuals or groups must be MEA members in good standing. If the nominee to be considered is an MEA member, the person must be in good standing. Read more about the awards and how to make a nomination.

Congratulations to these four outstanding MEA members who were honored at the MEA Winter Conference in February:

Instructional Excellence: Nicki Strach

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champion: Kaitie Paynich

Distinguished Servant of Public Education: Brenda Massie

Instructional Excellence for Diverse Learners: Jamie Hitt

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Hometown schools at risk from federal voucher program

By Chandra Madafferi, MEA President & CEO It’s back-to-school season, and in towns and cities across Michigan, parents and educators are gearing up for a new school year. Whether it’s the buzz of a Friday night football game, the excitement of a school play, or the familiar faces in the school pick-up line, our hometown […]

by Elena Helmer

Federal voucher scheme passes

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor The nation’s first federal school voucher scheme was tucked inside the tax cuts and spending plan that Republicans in Congress passed and President Donald Trump signed into law on July 4. Last-minute changes require states to opt-in to participation — which adds even more significance to 2026 mid-term elections […]

by Elena Helmer