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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Special educator chosen as Michigan Teacher of the Year

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor 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 the Year on Wednesday. “I’m without words… Being a part of this community and watching the […]