My GHEA Rocks!

99% of members remain with MEA, much to chagrin of opponents of public education

Posted on 10/08/13 at 11:14am

Ninety-nine percent of MEA members chose to stay with their union when given the choice under Michigan’s new so-called “right-to-work” law, MEA President Steve Cook announced to the hundreds of teachers, education support professionals and higher education employees gathered Oct. 5 at MEA’s Fall Representative Assembly in Lansing.

After Gov. Rick Snyder and Republicans in the state Legislature jammed through right-to-work bills last December, Cook said, “Some predicted it was the end of organized labor in Michigan — that it would never survive. Some emails to me said it was foolish to even try to retain members — tens of thousands were waiting to leave. That’s why I don’t read Mackinac Center emails anymore.”

“After the other side set up websites, held seminars and town halls, and sent tens of thousands of emails directly to members, 99 percent of the MEA membership said, ‘No, thank you,’” Cook said. “They stayed with the organization that protects and respects your profession and the important role you play in educating students.”

• Read moreabout 99% of members remain with MEA, much to chagrin of opponents of public education

Six Michigan teachers chosen for elite U.S. group to build model lesson plans, help kids and educators succeed

Posted on 09/19/13 at 11:38am

Six Michigan teachers have been tapped to share their cutting-edge lesson plans, methods, observations and other tips with other teachers across the nation.

Read More

State legislators considering numerous cuts to school revenues

Posted on 10/08/13 at 11:24am

Numerous niche tax breaks doled out by the state are eroding Michigan’s School Aid Fund, resulting in fewer resources for local schools, and education advocates are united in opposing these tax giveaways.

Read More

MEA backs legislation requiring schools to carry life-saving ‘EpiPens’

Posted on 10/10/13 at 1:04pm

MEA supports legislation introduced in the state House that would require all Michigan schools to have epinephrine devices, also known as “EpiPens,” on hand to provide emergency treatment to students with allergies.

Read More

Common Core enjoys strong support from teachers and Michigan voters

Posted on 09/19/13 at 11:36am

The Common Core State Standards have strong support from educators, as more than 75 percent of National Education Association members either support the standards wholeheartedly or with some reservations, according to a new poll released Thursday by the NEA.

Read More

State Senate passes fixes to law that caps districts’ contributions toward employees’ health care premiums

Posted on 10/10/13 at 1:18pm

The state Senate unanimously passed a package of bills Tuesday that would fix a number of problems with a state law that limits the amount that school districts can pay toward their employees’ health care premiums.

Read More