In case you missed it, I wanted to re-send you Sam’s powerful message from last week. We’re fighting in Lansing every day to maintain a secure retirement for all school employees – we need your help letting lawmakers know the negative consequences to the education profession if they continue political attacks on teachers and education support professionals.
Please – take a look at the message below and take action TODAY!
In solidarity,
Doug Pratt
MEA Director of Public Affairs
Dear MEA member,
I used to be one of you. I enjoyed giving my all to the young people I taught at a public school in St. Clair County, but I left my special education teaching job last fall. Or I should say the truth: I was driven away from the profession I loved.
Pay freezes. Dramatically rising health care contributions. Teacher bashing. Educators are continually asked to do more with less: Lower pay. Fewer benefits. Less respect.
Now Republican leaders in the House and Senate are coming after school employee pensions – again. And we must speak up to loudly say NO. The people who dedicate their lives to teaching, transporting, feeding, and caring for our children deserve the security of a modest retirement.
There’s no time to waste – Join your voice with thousands across the state who oppose the destruction of school employees’ retirement system by contacting your state lawmakers TODAY.
 There never seemed to be enough hours in the day to fulfill the constant demands of teaching. But – like you – I cared. I worked into the evenings and weekends to give my students the best education, only to watch my pay and benefits dwindle with every passing year.
Then my daughter Colbie was born. The pension threats from politicians and billionaire business leaders started up again – and that became the deal-breaker for me. I couldn’t entrust my family’s future to politicians who treated me like the enemy.
I work at a mortgage company these days, but that doesn’t mean I care less. My wife, Kellyn, is a kindergarten teacher who’s passionate about her mission in life. She wants to work with children forever, and we want wonderful educators to be around for our daughter.
We worry about the growing teacher shortage that’s only going to get worse if we continue to undervalue our amazing school employees.
You didn’t go into this work expecting a big payday. Neither did I. But we anticipated being treated with fairness, respect, and decency for doing the vital work of educating our next generation. It’s only right – and that’s why we’ve got to fight for it.
Act now to stop this pension attack that threatens the future of public education in Michigan – contact your state Senator and Representative TODAY.
I sincerely thank you for your hard work and sacrifice.
Sam Schweihofer |
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