Michigan educators, no matter our political beliefs as individual citizens, are united by our shared devotion to our students and our commitment to providing them with the education they need to learn, grow and thrive.

Regardless of the results of any single election, the educators who comprise the Michigan Education Association will continue working tirelessly to lift up the education profession and ensure our members are treated with the dignity and respect they have earned as professionals.

After all, we believe that every student — regardless of their ZIP code or family income — deserves to have great educators working in their schools so they can reach their full potential.

Our passion for education is unwavering, and our work will never end.

We also know that mainstream Michiganders from all walks of life support their local schools, and they value, respect and trust educators. Everyday citizens’ strong support for their public schools was demonstrated in this election through the results of education-specific races and proposals.

For example, over 75% of MEA’s recommended candidates for local school boards were successful in their races in this past election, including high-profile wins in Rochester, Utica, Chippewa Valley, Grosse Pointe and elsewhere.

In addition, voters passed 62% of the school bond proposals appearing on ballots across the state. Voters also elected MEA-recommended candidates to the University of Michigan and Michigan State University boards, and chose Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin — a true champion of education — as Michigan’s next U.S. senator.

Looking ahead, we’ve seen a lot of media coverage since the election about the role of the U.S. Department of Education, which provides critical services for Michigan schools, especially when it comes to supporting students with special needs and kids attending rural and urban school districts.

We are ready to work with lawmakers from both parties, other education advocates, community organizations, business leaders and everyday families to protect the Department of Education and ensure it can continue fulfilling its mission of helping every student achieve.

We’ve been down this road before — and we’ve won. In the early 1980s, some Washington politicians attempted to eliminate the Department of Education. However, they were forced to back down, thanks to the efforts of MEA members and educators across the country, who worked with lawmakers in both parties to protect the department and the services it provides to students, parents and educators. Congressional Democrats and Republicans alike agreed that the Department of Education played a critical role in supporting students and schools in their own communities.

We came together then, and we will come together again.

The road ahead is filled with tough challenges, but it’s also full of amazing opportunities. To successfully overcome any upcoming challenges and take advantage of new opportunities, we need to work side-by-side as educators and union members. We must unite like never before for the sake of our students, families, profession and one another.

We will persevere and we will keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles. As educators and as Michiganders, that’s what we do best.

In Solidarity Always,

Chandra Madafferi, MEA President and CEO

Brett Smith, MEA Vice President

Aaron Eling, MEA Secretary-Treasurer