Teachers & K-12 Certified Educators

Michelle Richard To help members better understand Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “Every Child Reads” proposals to address student literacy – and the essential role educators play at every grade level in that work – MEA gathered answers to some key questions from Michelle Richard, the governor’s senior literacy advisor. Part of the governor’s team since 2019, Richard has worked on some…

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Stephanie Johnson is pictured with daughter Mason after winning the Milken Educator Award at a surprise ceremony at Pine River Middle School in Osceola County. It wasn’t until her last year of high school that MEA member Stephanie Johnson figured out what career to pursue. She found her path in senior English class. Johnson…

Brian Prill Marquette Alternative High School (MAHS) teacher Brian Prill has helped make the school a statewide leader in environmental sustainability, Career and Technical Education, and in redefining the role of the alternative high school. Prill, who teaches social studies, Spanish and a construction and work readiness course, provides a world view for his students, having completed Fulbright scholarships in…

Dionna Roberts Dionna Roberts wears multiple hats, but she likes to say, “Literacy is my ‘jam,’ meaning my job and motivation for the work I do.” A former teacher and literacy coach, now a principal and current president of the Michigan Reading Association (MRA), Roberts describes her core philosophy as a balance between the technical “science of reading” and the…

Andrea Ward MEA member Andrea Ward knows the devastating effects that reading struggles can have on a child’s self-esteem. Ward was diagnosed with dyslexia in fifth grade and has dedicated her life to helping others who struggle in school. “Reading struggles shape who (kids) think they are and what they believe about their ability levels,” she said. “I remember believing…

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor As in most stories of change, the timeline of MEA member David Pelc’s teaching transformation marks a few key events building up to the pivotal moment. David Pelc Early on, a volunteer experience spent reading books with youngsters in disadvantaged communities hooked him on the joys of teaching and spurred him to become an…

By Amy Urbanowski-Nowak Birch Run Education Association Amy Urbanowski-Nowak, Birch Run Education Association president When I was a young child, I often dreamt of being a teacher… and a horse trainer, but that’s a story for another day. I would ask my sisters to play the role of the student or set up my stuffed animals if my sisters grew…

One of the missions that MEA-Retired member James McCloughan enjoys the most these days is serving as chairman of the Medal of Honor Character Development Program. The program provides free training and curriculum for educators in grades K-5 and 6-12 to teach students core values. Lessons are designed by educators and built around the stories of recipients of the Congressional…

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor MEA-Retired member Jim McCloughan received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his service in the Vietnam War which interrupted the start of a 40-year teaching career in South Haven. From the get-go, Jim McCloughan was competitive “with a capital C,” he says. Small and athletic, he excelled at every sport he tried. At Bangor…

Student learning and school safety should go hand-in-hand. That’s why educators across Michigan are deeply concerned about the rise in disruptive student behavior, which includes verbal outbursts, threats, and physical aggression. Addressing this troubling nationwide trend is critical for the future of education. MEA is prioritizing this work and providing ways for members to engage in the conversation about solutions.…