By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor As a self-described “Harry Potter nerd,” MEA member Ashley Calhoun has brought a bit of magic to her hometown of Homer, where she is now finishing her fourth year of teaching fourth grade. When the global COVID-19 pandemic forced school buildings in Michigan to close in March, Calhoun was…
DetailsIt’s that time of year when we celebrate educators! The first full week of May has been National Teacher Appreciation Week for decades. But this year, with students not in school buildings as a result of the COVID-19 crisis and educators working in new ways to teach from a distance, deliver meals, and more, the…
DetailsA national survey released last week shows parents support teachers and school support staff in overwhelming numbers – more than their governor or local government. The National Education Association survey found 88% of parents approve of how their children’s teachers are handling the coronavirus pandemic. They also overwhelmingly (81 percent) approve of school support staff…
DetailsThe safety, health and well-being of our public school employees, students and families has emerged as a critical concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health is paramount in the current climate, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Virtual recently announced free mental health resources for students, families and educators. ‘Stay Home, Stay MIndful’ In April,…
DetailsStudents, parents, and educators are grappling with a global crisis, trying to stay safe, facing a new virtual reality and struggling to connect. Now more than ever, school communities across the nation need support and leadership. Instead, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is using this pandemic to, once again, push her failed privatization agenda to defund…
DetailsThis coming Tuesday, May 5, many Michigan communities have municipal and school elections scheduled, including several important millage and bond measures. In light of the public health crisis, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson sent every voter in the May election an Absent Voter Ballot Application to ensure people stay healthy while exercising their right to…
DetailsThe MEA Board of Directors has voted to support the “Fair and Equal Michigan” petition drive effort for a citizens initiative to include LGBTQ rights in state law. Under current law, you can still be fired from your job or kicked out of your house if your boss or landlord discovers you’re lesbian, gay, bisexual,…
DetailsEAST LANSING – The following can be attributed to MEA President Paula Herbart regarding MEA’s continued support of Gov. Whitmer’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis and the need for decisions going forward centered on public health protection: “As Michigan citizens continue to follow Stay Home, Stay Safe orders designed to flatten the curve of COVID-19…
DetailsEAST LANSING – The following can be attributed to MEA President Paula Herbart regarding today’s announcement by Gov. Whitmer of the short-term extension of the Stay Home, Stay Safe order through May 15: “By listening to public health experts first in making the tough decisions needed to slow the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Whitmer is…
DetailsMichigan Education Association member Sarah VanderMeer says her heart aches from missing her developmental kindergartners from Brown Elementary School in Byron Center, so she checks in via FaceTime to see how they’re doing, setting up appointments through parents. VanderMeer taps every tool at her disposal to keep kids connected and engaged during online chats and virtual…
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