Report finds Michigan public teacher salaries continue to decline amid growing teacher shortage

Michigan Education Association calls for reinvesting in Michigan students, teachers and support staff EAST LANSING – New data from the National Education Association’s annual Rankings and Estimates report found average salary for teachers declined last year, continuing the 12% decline over the last decade when adjusted for inflation. Only Indiana, West Virginia and Wisconsin have […]

#RedForEd Educators Heard by Senator

As an educator and public school employee, what you would say if a state lawmaker asked you to share your biggest concerns about public education in Michigan? Think on it—we’ll come back to your ideas in a moment. Meanwhile, take a look at the some of the issues raised by one group of about a […]

Labor Voices: Falling educator pay hurts students

By PAULA HERBART/President – Michigan Education Association For many, education is a calling — but that doesn’t mean a career in education should come with a vow of poverty. That’s the case for too many educators who are struggling with low and declining pay, according to recently released national figures. Studies have shown – and […]

Spring RA Launches #RedForEd Organizing

It’s our turn, MEA President Paula Herbart told delegates to the annual Representative Assembly in East Lansing late last week. Michigan educators need to speak up – and show up – for two Capitol rallies in June, plus join local activism efforts in the meantime, Herbart told the MEA governing body. The state budget debate […]

RSVP Today for June #RedForEd Rallies

An RSVP form is now available for the June #RedForEd rallies.  As MEA President Paula Herbart announced last month, MEA and AFT Michigan are working together to hold these events so lawmakers can hear the voices of public education supporters from across Michigan to support increasing funding for our students and schools. On Tuesday, June 18, […]

Whitmer Names Appointees to Educator Advisory Council

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday announced 15 appointees to a new Educator Advisory Council (EOC) charged with making recommendations on education-related policy matters. Eight MEA members were named to the new panel. They include: Angela J. Pérez of Muskegon, an elementary Spanish two-way immersion teacher with Muskegon Public Schools. Anthony M. Greenburg of Lansing, a […]

New MTOY: How Can I Help the Profession?

Every Michigan Teacher of the Year brings personal passions to the role as spokesperson for the state’s educators. The latest top teacher, crowned this week, sums up her mission in two words: professional revitalization. MEA member Cara Lougheed, an English teacher at Stoney Creek High School in Rochester Community Schools, said after learning of her […]

Future Educators Give Service to Schools

Even though they haven’t yet started their teaching careers, the Aspiring Educators of MEA understand the importance of a nice staff lounge in bringing school employees together and combatting classroom isolation. Future educators from AEM chapters at Ferris and Michigan State Universities spruced up dreary spaces to create comfortable and functional break rooms for employees […]