MEA Voice Magazine - October 2020 Issue

Pullout Voter Guide

Frank Burger

Sara Gieleghem

Chaunta Ford

Dan Love

Get Involved in New Ways to Save Public Ed

October–November 2020 | Vol. 98 | Issue 1 | mea.org

LETTER TO MEMBERS

United for the Change We Need in Election 2020 To help guide our union, MEA routinely conducts polls of our membership. Random samples that include thousands of educators and support staff from PreK-12 through higher education participate in these surveys.

We wanted to share a few key findings from recent research with your fellow MEA members:

Public education in our country is headed in the wrong direction—and we must take advantage of this fall’s election to correct our course.

By voting for friends of public education at the local, state and national level, we can stand together against the destructive agenda that DeVos and her allies have embraced.

 Just 20 percent of MEA members approve of President Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. By contrast, 80 percent approve of how Gov. Whitmer has addressed this crisis.

By electing Joe Biden as our next president, we can have an ally in the White House who wants to listen to and partner with educators to tackle the problems we face—much like Gov. Whitmer has done during her first two years in office.

 Only 19 percent of members have a favorable opinion of Trump. Not to be outdone, favorable opinions of Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos come in at just 5 percent.

By working together, we can recognize and begin to address the systematic racism and inequality that rob too many children of opportunity, both in and out of school.

 Over 70 percent say they’ll be voting for Joe Biden in the upcoming presidential election, with another 12 percent saying they’re undecided.

While no organization’s membership is ever of one mind on critical issues like those facing our country, these results overwhelmingly point to a commonly held belief among MEA members:

Paula J. Herbart President

That’s why, in this issue, we share critical information about this coming election—because it matters so deeply for the future of our students, our profession and the very idea of public education.

Learn more about MEA recommended candidates, voting from home and giving to PAC at MEAVotes.org.

While we recognize that everyone is busier than ever in this fall unlike

Chandra A. Madafferi Vice President

any other, we also hope you’ll give just ONE HOUR of your time between now and Nov. 3 to volunteer for Election 2020. Let us know how you’re interested in helping at MEA.org/volunteer, including many ways you can help safely from your own home.

We may not have the same limitless financial resources as the DeVos family, but we make up for it in our strength in numbers and willingness to work hard for our beliefs.

That collective power has been on display throughout this pandemic, helping at the local level to protect our members and the students they serve. By no means has every issue been solved—but by having each other’s backs, we have the strength to get through this crisis.

That’s why these final member polling figures might be the most important—since February, opinion of the job MEA is doing for our members improved by 9 points, with 85 percent of members having a favorable view of MEA. We will continue to advocate for our members, for our students and for public education—and we ask that you continue stand with us in that work to be champions for education.

Brett R. Smith Secretary-Treasurer

CONTENTS

Pullout Voter Guide 4 Editor’s Notebook Importance of ESP 26 Issues & Advocacy MEA LGBTQ Caucus 27 Region Elections Rules and open seats 34 Member Spotlight More Educators Run On the cover: Even in the virtual reality of the pandemic, MEA members have found ways to get involved in the election—and you can too. Read more on pages 12-13.

8— MY VIEW: A 20-year veteran teacher reflects about the COVID-19 detour on her journey.

9— STRENGTH IN UNION: The challenges posed by the public health crisis show why our union matters.

Executive Director ����������������������Michael Shoudy Director of Public Affairs ������������������� Doug Pratt Editor ������������������������������������������������ Brenda Ortega Staff Photographer �������������������������Miriam Garcia Publications Specialist ��������������� Shantell Crispin

12— ELECTION 2020: In our 10-page guide, read about the importance of this election; key races to control the state House, the U.S. Senate, and the White House; and MEA tools that make voting easy.

The MEA Voice ISSN 1077-4564 is an official publication of the Michigan Education Association, 1216 Kendale Blvd., East Lansing, MI 48823. Opinions stated in the MEA Voice do not necessarily reflect the official position of the MEA unless so identified. Published by Michigan Education Association, Box 2573, East Lansing, MI 48826-2573. Periodicals postage paid at East Lansing and additional mailing offices. Payment of the active membership fee entitles a member to receive the MEA Voice. Of each annual fee whether for active or affiliate membership, $12.93 is for a year’s subscription. Frequency of issue is October, December, February, April and August. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the MEA Voice, Box 2573, East Lansing, MI 48826-2573 or via email at webmaster@mea.org. Allow at least three weeks for change of address to take effect.

MEA Voice telephone: 517-332-6551 or 800-292-1934. Circulation this issue: 111,391

22— MEMBER BENEFITS: An MEA member-led series of webinars has helped educators across the U.S.

24— AWARDS & HONORS: The new Michigan Teacher of the Year strives to lift up marginalized voices.

MEA VOICE 3

NEWS & NOTES

Editor’s Notebook For this issue of the Voice, I interviewed 34-year custodian and longtime MEA leader Roy Freeman for a story about the union’s work in the coronavirus crisis.

Roy is president of his local unit of custodial, maintenance, and transportation employees at Dowagiac Union Schools. At the state level, he’s president of the Education Support Professionals (ESP) Caucus and an MEA board member who sits on countless committees.

He’s been called upon more often than usual during the pandemic to speak to the media about issues related to school support staff in Michigan—including the threat of staffing cuts due to budget uncertainties.

“When I do things like these, I’m always nervous,” he said at the end of our talk. “I wonder if I said the right thing so people will understand what I’m saying and take it to heart as well.”

We’d been talking about the importance of ESP. Roy brought up Maslow’s hierarchy of needs—the idea that children’s basic needs must be met for food, safety, and love before learning can happen.

He mentioned the trusting one-on-one relationships that paraeducators build with their students. He talked of custodians cleaning but also praising young helpers to instill belonging and pride. He described the bus drivers and food service employees who transport kids from their doorsteps and quell hunger with hot meals while sharing friendly smiles and warm greetings.

“It’s a community, and every part of that community ensures that each day flows peacefully and consistently for our students. For each part of that village that you lose, it’s one less place where the children in your district can get what they need for maximum learning and growth.”

It reminded me of my teaching days and the people who made my job possible.

The custodians who helped me respond and manage a room when a student threw up or had a seizure. The paras who stayed with one student throughout the school day, acting as teacher, friend and mentor while helping with other children nearby who needed a little extra love and attention. The secretaries who were extraordinary problem solvers and compassionate listeners for the entire building—students and staff alike. The maintenance workers who fixed the ancient boilers so we could all take our coats off. The timeout room coordinators who listened with compassion to the most troubled students.

I could go on forever. Memories filled my heart. Yes, Roy Freeman, you said all the right things.

4 OCT–NOV 2020

—Brenda Ortega, editor

Amount (in billions) of dollars in additional federal support needed to reopen schools safely this year. The Trump administration has pushed for any additional federal support for K-12 schools to be prioritized for school districts that fully reopen for all in-person instruction, despite significant coronavirus surges across large swaths of the country. That figure is according to an estimate from the Council of Chief State School Officers.

QUOTABLES

“This is ‘interpretive jiggery pokery’ in the extreme.”

Judge James Donato of the U.S. District Court Northern District of California, ruling against the U.S. Department of Education and Secretary Betsy DeVos in a case brought by several states—led by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel—to stop the department from siphoning federal CARES Act money away from public schools for private schools. Donato said the intent of Congress in directing the money to low-income public school students was “plain as day.”

More at mea.org/firedevos.

NEWS & NOTES

ICYMI: Scholarship Program for Essential Workers About 625,000 essential workers who continued performing their frontline duties during the height of the pandemic in Michigan are eligible for free college tuition, under a program announced by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “This initiative is Michigan’s way of expressing gratitude to essential workers for protecting public health and keeping our state running,” Whitmer said at a September press conference announcing the first-in-the-nation program.

Futures for Frontliners offers Michigan adults without college degrees or high school diplomas who provided essential services during the pandemic a tuition-free pathway to gaining the skills needed to obtain high-demand, high-wage careers. The funding is not only available to those in the medical field, but also essential workers in schools, manufacturing, nursing homes, grocery stores, sanitation, delivery, retail and more. Learn more at michigan.gov/frontliners.

Above and Beyond More than 450 educators from Capitol‑area school districts stretching from St. Johns to Holt, Okemos and Lansing returned to their school duties armed with some health and safety essentials courtesy of their local unions.

Every year, several MEA units combine their efforts in a late August back-toschool bash that draws hundreds to a family cookout with food, games and music. This year, however, the event shifted from an in-person gathering to drive-through distribution at the MEA Okemos field office. Every one of the 450 members who registered and drove through received a kit with emergency supplies, such as hand sanitizer, vitamin C, masks, tissues, touch screen wipes, and face shields, among other items. They also received a boost from Lansing Schools Education Association President Chuck Alberts: “My message was really simple: you’re already great, and keep working hard. Challenges are going to arise, but make sure you keep persevering and you’re going to do an outstanding job.”

QUOTABLES

“MEA supports any local associations who choose to take collective action in order to protect the health and safety of their students and staff.”

MEA Board of Directors in a motion approved at an emergency meeting in early August regarding a safe return to learning for students and school employees MEA VOICE 5

NEWS & NOTES

UPCOMING EVENTS EDITOR’S NOTE: MEA events planned for this school year are subject to change depending on the latest information regarding public health. Watch mea.org and the MEA Facebook page for the latest information.

OCTOBER 23

Higher Education Conference Virtual The conference features sessions covering trends in online learning, intellectual property, higher education funding, member engagement, bargaining, and strategies to help leaders strengthen their local associations.

New MEA Dues Structure MEA members—especially early career educators and support professionals on the lower end of the wage scale—asked MEA to consider a dues reduction.

A taskforce was created, the issue was studied, the numbers were crunched and the MEA Representative Assembly took action—reducing MEA dues for many members by adopting a new dues structure.

Depending on your salary, this new structure could save you up to $60! As always, your local field office is ready to help with questions regarding dues calculations and any other issues. Find yours at mea.org/uniserv or call the MEA Help Center at 866-MEA-HELP.

FEBRUARY 11-12

MEA Winter Conference Marriott Renaissance Center, Detroit At MEA’s biggest conference of the year, members and leaders network and attend training sessions in bargaining, organizing, member advocacy, political action, communications, classroom best practices, and more.

MARCH 20

MEA Conference for Aspiring and Early Career Educators MEA Headquarters, East Lansing Aspiring and early career educators will gather to network and train on topics such as classroom management, high-leverage best practices, legal issues, work-life balance, and union involvement.

MARCH 26-27

ESP Conference MEA Headquarters, East Lansing Education support professionals will gather to network and train on topics such as legal issues, ESP certification, privatization, school violence, and member engagement.

Enter the MIDream Contest!

Enter the MIDream Contest—sponsored by MEA Financial Services and MSU Federal Credit Union—to be eligible to win $250 for your school, students or classroom.. In addition to the school/classroom prize, the winner’s charity of choice will receive a $250 donation from MSU Federal Credit Union.

You must be an MEA member in good standing to enter the drawing. To download an entry form, go to meafs.com. Submit your entry by mail or email to Michelle Shipman at mshipman@mea.org by Nov. 30.

The MiDream winner in July was MEA member Anthony Pennock of Battle Creek Public Schools, who planned to use the winnings to expand his classroom library to be more inclusive and diverse.

An additional $250 was donated on Pennock’s behalf to GLSEN, a non-profit organization that works to ensure LGBTQ students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment.

Read more about Pennock and his work on MEA’s new LGBTQ Caucus on page 26.

6 OCT–NOV 2020

Don’t let your child fall behind on vaccines Michigan’s vaccination rates have plummeted during the pandemic, putting our kids at risk for other serious illnesses such as measles and whooping cough. In May, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported that child vaccinations were down 44.5% overall compared with the previous two years.

That is a significant drop that can have serious health consequences for kids, says Dr. Julia Spalding, MESSA’s medical director.

No one can deny that this is a tough time to be a parent. With COVID-19 still ravaging Michigan and the country, the temptation to keep a healthy child far away from the doctor’s office is strong. However, keeping your child up to date on vaccinations is a crucial part of protecting their health that should not be ignored.

If you’ve been putting off a well-child visit, it’s time to get back on schedule.

Being prepared for what to expect can help alleviate your concerns about taking them to the doctor.

Here are some questions to ask your child’s doctor office before visiting:  Is my child up to date on their vaccinations?  Do you have designated hours for well-child visits to keep healthy kids separated from children who may be ill?  Are there separate entrances for healthy children and those who may be ill?  Do you offer remote check-in from my vehicle?  Do patients wait in the waiting room or in the parking lot?  Do you offer vehicle visits, where the provider meets the patient in the parking lot?

Additionally, Spalding and other health experts are stressing the importance of getting a flu shot this year. While the flu vaccine won’t protect against the coronavirus, it could help head off a simultaneous uptick in both flu and coronavirus cases that could strain the health system.

All MESSA plans fully cover preventive immunizations for children, as well as well-child and well-baby visits, with in-network providers. The flu vaccine is also covered under all MESSA plans when administered by a qualified provider.

Make sure your child is protected against preventable illnesses. Call your pediatrician’s office today to find out if your child is behind on their vaccinations—and make a plan to take action if they are.

 How often is the waiting room sanitized? The patient rooms?

MEA VOICE 7

MY VIEW

The Awakening

By Robyne Muray As an historian, I never thought I would witness the life-altering experience of a pandemic. I believed our medical advances made us far more sophisticated than those living through the 1918 flu pandemic. However, persevering through COVID-19 has changed my perspective about who I am and what my professional future holds.

Teaching for me has been a 20-year career and counting of triumph and purpose. However, March 16, 2020, shattered that mindset. I found myself thrust with a gamut of emotions that were frankly overwhelming.

This year in MEA Voice, I will be writing a series on teaching and learning in the time of coronavirus.

Initially I wanted to reach out to my colleagues to say it is OK if you are experiencing uncertainty. But as I reflected, my thoughts also centered on the legislators, the U.S. Department of Education, and anyone involved in the decision-making process of policy.

Michigan educators are dedicated to serve and educate young people. For so many, we go above and beyond to ensure that our students have the best equitable opportunity to learn 8 OCT–NOV 2020

academically, grow socially and emotionally, and be prepared for the rigor of college and careers.

I am From

We realize the best form of instruction is face to face. However, for the safety of our children we also take on the daunting task of virtual learning when this is the least restrictive option.

I am from a Pre-Pandemic society in search of the “New Normal” I am from living in a biological bunker also known as Shelter in Place.

I am from Face Coverings and distances of Six Feet.

I am from living with Pandemic Fatigue while others put me at risk under the guise of their constitutional rights to be Free.

I am from a Conundrum of Societal Issues that is driven by misleading Political Statements.

I am from a Nation that seemingly is on the verge of destruction in the name of Reconstruction.

I am from the belief in Education, Observation, and Reflection.

I am from Resiliency, Tenacity, and Creativity.

I am from Solutions and Resolutions in order to grow, embracing the natural rhythm of Ebb and Flow.

Too many people are involved in making policy decisions who do not have a background in classroom instruction and environment. This message is for the non-educators who are determining best practices for our educational system during COVID-19: Have you taken into consideration how teachers feel when they see their students’ faces and their sadness at being unable to be in class or having to deal with the frustration of technical glitches? Has anyone stepped forward to supply equipment to ensure all students of the multiple districts are able to connect to online learning? Is there funding allocated to upgrade and modernize aging campuses? It is past time to quit complaining and start supporting Michigan schools.

To my colleagues, you are amazing!

We are all on this path together, and it is part of our journey now to defeat the monster of our fixed mindset to receive the treasure—a sustainable growth mindset to help us move forward. The first task of my trek was a self-awareness check-in, writing a poem that helped me identify and grapple with the struggles, worries, and pain we are all experiencing:

(after George Ella Lyon)

Robyne Muray is the daughter of an MEA-Retired member and a Lansing high school teacher participating this year in the district’s Aspiring Leaders program. She was the 2018-19 Michigan Region 6 Teacher of the Year.

STRENGTH IN UNION

Finding Strength in Solidarity

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor MEA member Eric Curtiss thought he had a high number of students in his English classes last year when his numbers topped out at 144. This year he has 168, although the number fluctuates.

Last year he had five preps, the most in his 22-year career. Now he has eight different courses to prepare and teach. “So I have three English classes. I have a psychology class, two journalism classes, and a study skills class. Wait, is that eight? I think that’s seven. I’m missing something.

“Oh, and a reading skills and strategies class. Eight preps.”

Curtiss is employed by GalesburgAugusta Community Schools, but he teaches in KRESA Virtual & Innovative Collaborative (KVIC) which is a virtual learning program operated by the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency with participating districts in the region.

The collaborative is the subject of several Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charges recently filed by MEA for outsourcing the work of bargaining units and violating the terms of local contracts.

The school year had just begun for Curtiss, president of the local union, so he was learning the ropes. “It’s pretty constant electronic

communication, either email, phone calls… I’ve even done text messages.

I’ve recorded audio and video communications, and it’s week two.”

Eight preps are not allowed under the contract in Galesburg-Augusta.

In addition, Curtiss was told he would mostly be teaching local students, but the majority come from neighboring areas.

The KVIC was formed by various Kalamazoo County superintendents who decided to work together on developing a virtual option, said MEA UniServ Director Melvina Gillespie.

The union was completely left out of discussions as the group of administrators decided to tap into the experience of Gull Lake Community Schools, where an in-district virtual school had operated for more than a decade, Gillespie said.

“They basically said, ‘Why don’t we just pay a fee to Gull Lake and have Gull Lake teach our students from all these other districts?’” Gillespie said.

Most of the teachers in the school are from Gull Lake, but others have been hired to handle the influx of students—including Curtiss, who took the position because it was his only option for working remotely and only with a guarantee of returning to his old job next year, she added.

“Just because they’re using technology to deliver the instruction does not allow the districts to outsource the

Eric Curtiss teachers who deliver that instruction,” Gillespie said.

Outsourcing of teaching work has sparked several ULPs in that region, and at press time more waited in the wings from other areas depending on the outcome of ongoing talks between local unions and administrators.

The issue is one of many being fought across bargaining tables, detailed in formal complaints, or aired on picket lines. Meanwhile, educators quitting or taking paid or unpaid leaves under a temporary COVID‑related federal policy are sparking concerns of worsening educator shortages.

Grievances have been discussed and filed over unilateral calendar changes and overwhelming workloads. In Brighton, teachers picketed over the Board of Education’s demands that MEA VOICE 9

ISSUES & ADVOCACY

Chris Pratt

Roy Freeman

they accept a nearly 6 percent pay cut despite the district’s 10 percent fund equity balance.

learning this week,” PHEA President Cathy Murray said in a statement to the press.

MEA member Becky Rapp, a special education teacher in the district, told news reporters, “I spent over $500 on plexiglass for my classroom, and this feels like a slap in the face.”

In Grosse Pointe, the association sent out a press release and leaders were interviewed on local media after the district put forth a plan for returning to face-to-face learning that glossed over the details of safety protocols.

“This activism, this organizing, is for the betterment of our kids and our staff.”

Chris Pratt, Grosse Pointe vocal music teacher and local union president.

In Port Huron, union members spent Labor Day picketing to call attention to their concerns over inadequate supplies and planning to ensure student and staff safety. On the first day of school, they documented more than 80 health and safety concerns in a press release.

“Safety must continue to be our first priority, and the simple truth is Port Huron Area Schools was not prepared to safely resume in-person 10 OCT–NOV 2020

teachers’ working conditions are the students’ learning conditions.”

The GPEA has become much more active in recent months, building relationships with the local business community and staying vocal about issues that matter, Pratt said. “We’re interviewing candidates for our Board of Education for possible endorsements. With several seats up, that will be significant. This activism, this organizing, is for the betterment of our kids and our staff.”

One issue that has emerged—along with the ubiquitous problem of trying to ensure all students have access to technology and wifi—involves policies around use of sick time when staff get symptoms or must quarantine, said Peter Tyson, president of the Saginaw Township union.

Community concerns soon forced the district to pivot to remote learning to start, said GPEA President Chris Pratt. “We kept hearing throughout the process from the administration, ‘Let’s not get into the weeds here.’ And the union has been that voice to say, ‘No we actually need to be in the weeds.’

Tyson raised the issue in a call with MEA staff and U.S. Congressman Dan Kildee, who requested a briefing with educators from his district along I-75 from Flint to Bay City.

“Younger teachers and teachers with families especially don’t have a lot of sick days to burn. It’s a huge issue for them.”

“What I try to make clear every time we go for an interview or put something on social media is that our

Andrea Rethman, president of the Saginaw Education Association, also participated in the call with Kildee

ISSUES & ADVOCACY

Congressman Dan Kildee

and questioned whether budget cuts would reduce custodial services already slashed to barebones in many districts, especially in those that have been privatized.

“It was just nice to have his ear and be able to share the concerns that people have around safety and also about trying to get enough technology, because our district is putting up hotspots in every building, but we have Chromebooks and tablets on back order,” Rethman said.

Matt Adams, president of nearby Beecher Education Association, said his district has relied on donated technology from community partners to be able to start the school year remotely. He seconded the point about districts with outsourced services which they do not oversee.

“The truth is if somebody gets sick, if somebody dies, it’s not going to come back on our third party cleaning company—it’s going to come back on Beecher Schools, and that’s a scary place to be,” Adams said.

After the meeting, Kildee called on the U.S. Senate to take up the House-passed Heroes Act to provide schools the resources they need to operate safely this school year.

Tricia Dinda

“While I voted on legislation in May to provide emergency funding to Michigan schools, this critical bill, The Heroes Act, sits on Mitch McConnell’s desk in the Senate,” Kildee said. “We owe it to teachers, students and parents to have a coordinated, fully-funded and whole-of-government response to keep our classrooms safe during the pandemic.”

In Dowagiac Union Schools, the district purchased new cleaning equipment for the custodial staff to use, said Roy Freeman, a 34-year custodian and president of his unit.

The electrostatic disinfecting equipment imparts a positive electric charge to spray droplets, causing them to be attracted to surfaces like opposite poles of a magnet for uniform coverage.

“In reality, it takes 10 minutes for a disinfectant to really do its job,” Freeman said. “In most cases when you wipe it on, wipe it off, you’re not getting everything accomplished.”

In addition to his leadership in Dowagiac, Freeman plays an advocacy role for support staff at the state level as an MEA board member and president of the ESP Caucus. He worried about reports

he was hearing of impending layoffs of paraeducators in some districts.

“That’s a shame,” he said. “There’s work the parapros can do with the teachers to make things easier, because I’m hearing how much work goes into handling the face-to-face and remote learning at the same time.

That’s a lot for the teachers alone.”

In Kalamazoo, that sort of shared interest caused the EA unit of certificated staff and the ESP unit of non-certificated employees to join forces, said Tricia Dinda, a driver and union steward who serves on the bargaining committee.

Employees from various classifications have unique concerns, Dinda said. For example, she noticed face shields the district planned to buy for drivers slipped off when she bent over to buckle a students’ wheelchair in place. The district changed brands in response to her complaint.

But above all, school employees share one big mutual concern: student and staff safety, she said.

“It’s a solidarity exercise to say, ‘Hey, I stand with you.’ Knowing that somebody has your back as a union member I think is doubly important in 2020.”

MEA VOICE 11

ELECTION 2020

GETTING INVOLVED “As a mother of two daughters, I was inspired and so hopeful watching Kamala Harris as our female vice presidential candidate. A Biden-Harris ticket ensures that we will have a president and vice president that cares about our public school education, our safety and well-being as citizens, health care, and social and economic justice for all of our people.”

Sara Gieleghem, DNC delegate and Chippewa Valley elementary teacher “From changing school lunch rules away from nutritious food to recently prioritizing private and religious schools to get coronavirus stimulus money, Betsy DeVos has failed America’s public school children. In a perfect world there would be no charter schools and no voucher programs.

Schools thrive when families feel a sense of connection to and responsibility for their local school district. Voters must say no to DeVos so that she can no longer continue to wring resources out of our public schools.”

After spending time this summer as delegates to the Democratic National Convention (DNC) or as part of MEA/ NEA’s Battleground Summer (BGS) organizing effort, these MEA members and leaders know why this election is important—and why we all need to get involved.

“First of all, vote—don’t take it for granted. Your vote counts! We have options to vote—use them. This seems simplistic, but it’s so important. If you don’t want to go to the ballot box, use the mail-in option. But vote! The second thing is make sure your family members vote as well.”

“At the state level, this is the last election cycle in which state legislators will be chosen based on heavily gerrymandered districts (drawn by GOP legislators, traditionally hostile to traditional public schools, after the 2010 election), so it’s imperative that MEA members support sympathetic legislators, even if they face seeming insurmountable challenges. In 2018 in my own state legislative districts, former teachers—despite the fact that their districts were drawn to favor GOP candidates—won both the state Senate and House districts.”

Brian Stevens, BGS organizer and Coldwater AP Government/U.S. Government teacher “I started with emailing my family and friends. I posted BallotPower.org on my Facebook page. I have (virtual) conversations at my church about exercising your right to vote and how important it is to request your ballot and send them in early. We are all in this together; there are no excuses as to why we cannot accomplish this common goal!”

Jon Forslund, BGS organizer and Plymouth-Canton social studies teacher “Currently the leadership of the state Senate and House do not ask public school teachers about anything that has to do with education and refuse to bring bills to a vote that would impact education in a positive way. We can elect leaders that believe in education and support teachers and collective bargaining. There are many ways to get involved —reach out to a campaign and let them know you want to help!”

Chaunta R. Ford, BGS organizer and Bay City executive assistant

Gretchen Contreras, BGS organizer and Ypsilanti Lincoln Consolidated science teacher

12 OCT–NOV 2020

Renay Weiss-Stansell, BGS organizer and Livonia school counselor

ELECTION 2020

“Public education as we know it is on the ballot. I urge you to donate to MEA-PAC, and find your local county party or local candidate, and get involved. There are many easy ways to do this through virtual phone banking to texting, to sharing your story on social media. Let’s fight and win to restore the soul of this nation!”

“My greatest hope for the 2020 election is of unity—the unity of educators supporting candidates who will work to provide the funds and resources for great public schools; the unity of Americans to prioritize the future we are building by providing a fabulous public education for all our children, regardless of their zip code; and the unity of our nation coming together around decency, kindness, and hopefulness.”

“The stakes of this election are too high for you to not take action.

The more people participate in democracy, the more democracy works for the people. The future must be better. It’s up to us to make sure it is.”

Stephanie Sedlar, BGS organizer and Mt. Pleasant special education teacher

You can get involved in Election 2020 today!

Frank Burger, DNC delegate and Flint Carman-Ainsworth science teacher

Dan Love, BGS organizer and Walled Lake third grade teacher

Volunteer—Visit mea.org/volunteer to sign up for opportunities to help with Election 2020, including contacting fellow members from home about this critical election.

Fire Betsy DeVos—Share information from mea.org/FireDevos about how Secretary DeVos’s agenda hurts public education and students.

Join our Outreach Circle—Use your phone as an

organizing tool, sharing content with people you know. Get started by downloading the Outreach Circle app on your Apple or Google device and enter WUV728 in the explore function to join the MEA Outreach Circle.

Build a Vote From Home WAVE—Encourage fellow members, neighbors and the public to Vote From Home using our online WAVE tool. Contact Kevin Marvin at kmarvin@mea.org for an online training session to get started with WAVE or Outreach Circle.

Give to PAC—At MEAVotes.org, make one-time or recurring credit card contributions to MEA-PAC. These voluntary contributions are used to help friends of public education win elections (dues dollars cannot be and are not used for political candidate contributions). You can also get information there about MEA recommended candidates and how to Vote From Home.

MEA VOICE 13

EDUCATORS FOR JOE BIDEN AND KAMALA HARRIS

Why fellow members are supporting a new direction for the White House Educators deserve a president who listens to them. Who respects them, their expertise and their dedication to students. Who will work to keep everyone safe and ensure they have the resources to succeed.

Joe Biden will be that president, which is why thousands of Michigan educators have committed to supporting him in this fall’s presidential election, along with his running mate, Kamala Harris.

Join them by becoming an “Educator for Joe” at StrongPublicSchools.org.

As President, Biden’s first order of business will be to replace Betsy DeVos with a qualified educator as Secretary of Education. Biden and

Harris will reinvest in public education, make safety a priority, and ensure students are ready to succeed in a modern economy.

member—educators will have steadfast friends in the White House who will be advocates for public education and students.

Making safety a priority amidst this pandemic is essential, which is why Biden supports increasing funding for classroom alterations, up-to-date and accessible technology, personal protective equipment, and increased sanitization.

Above all else, with compassion and steady leadership, Biden will unite the country—not stoke fears and further divide us.

Biden and Harris are committed to attracting and retaining qualified educators by supporting pay raises, improving emergency paid leave and expanding student loan forgiveness programs.

On every issue that impacts public education and labor, the choice between Joe Biden and Donald Trump is clear—see the candidate comparison for yourself at StrongPublicSchools.org. That’s why educators across the country are standing up as Educators for Joe. Learn more at JoeBiden.com.

Along with Dr. Jill Biden—a longtime teacher and NEA

It’s time to FIRE DEVOS and hire a qualified Secretary of Education It’s been nearly four years since Gary Peters joined Senators from both parties voting against Betsy DeVos’ confirmation as the U.S. Secretary of Education.

Since then, we’ve experienced a litany of attacks on public education coming from DeVos and her department.

14 OCT–NOV 2020

Proposals to cut education funding and siphon taxpayer money to private schools.

Millions sent to failing charter schools—some of which never even opened in the first place.

Elimination of protections for sexual assault victims on college campuses.

Siding with loan lenders and for-profit colleges over the students borrowing money to get degrees.

Pushing blindly for reopening of schools, regardless of the advice of health experts and educators.

Learn more at mea.org/FireDeVos about why we must replace her this November by electing Joe Biden, who will appoint a qualified educator as Secretary of Education.

ELECTION 2020

Clear choice for U.S. Senate—An Advocate for Education or An Advocate for Betsy DeVos MEA recommends Sen. Gary Peters for re-election COVID” or someone who believes Betsy DeVos’s performance as secretary of education has been “very, very good.”

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters Michigan voters have a clear choice for the U.S. Senate this fall—someone who has declared that “public schools cannot be a casualty of

Throughout his time in public service, Sen. Gary Peters has been a friend of public education, working with educators to get the resources necessary to provide students with opportunities—from K-12 through higher education and skilled trade training. During this pandemic, his advocacy on those lines hasn’t wavered, following up that quote from a May education funding rally with non-stop pressure for the Senate to vote on more resources for schools and students through the Housepassed HEROES Act (which GOP

Senate leaders didn’t allow a vote on all summer).

On the other hand, Peters’ opponent—failed candidate and businessman John James—has continued to cozy up to DeVos and her family, taking in millions in campaign contributions and advertising support from them and even hiring a DeVos family member to his campaign team. Learn more about the ties between James and DeVos at JohnJamesRevealed.com.

For all these reasons and more, MEA and NEA support Gary Peters for re-election to the U.S. Senate this fall. Learn more about Peters, his positions and how to support his campaign at PetersForMichigan.com.

KEY MICHIGAN CONGRESSIONAL RACES Elissa Slotkin—8th District

In one of the nation’s most competitive Congressional races, Slotkin runs for re-election after her 2018 victory in this Ingham, Livingston and Northern Oakland County seat. The Holly native was a CIA analyst and former Defense Department official under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

She has gone toe-to-toe with Betsy DeVos over federal rule changes made regarding campus sexual assaults that would affect MSU in her district. elissaforcongress.com

Haley Stevens—11th District

This Southern Oakland and Western Wayne County seat is another that flipped control in 2018, when Stevens won her first term. A member of the U.S. House Education Committee, she has fought the DeVos education agenda in Congress and worked closely with MEA members in her district. Originally from Oakland County, she worked in the Obama administration during the Great Recession on the auto rescue and later on manufacturing policy. haleystevensforcongress.com

Jon Hoadley—6th District

Hillary Scholten—3rd District

As a state representative and minority vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee, Hoadley has been on the front lines of the fight for adequate funding for Michigan schools. He is running against longtime Congressman Fred Upton, who has taken more than $75,000 in campaign contributions from the DeVos family over just the past five years. jonhoadley.com

In an open seat vacated

by Justin Amash’s decision to leave the GOP and not run for reelection, Scholten is running a strong race in Kent, Calhoun, Ionia, Barry and Montcalm Counties. A civil rights attorney with the Michigan Immigration Rights Center and former social worker, she served in the Department of Justice under President Obama. hillaryscholten.com

For other Congressional recommendations, visit MEAVotes.org.

MEA VOICE 15

ELECTION 2020

Control of State House on ballot in November With the entire 110-seat State House on the ballot this fall, control of the chamber and the agenda is up for grabs. MEA’s recommendations are made by local members and include candidates from both parties.

For a complete list of recommended candidates, look at the Election 2020 pullout section in the middle of the magazine. Key seats include:

104th—Dan O’Neil (Grand Traverse Co.) After coming just 349 votes short in 2018, O’Neil—a local lawyer—is back to capture this Traverse City seat with strong fundraising and pro-education views.

71st—Rep. Angela Witwer (Eaton Co.) Running for re-election in this seat west of Lansing, former school board member Witwer needs mid-Michigan member support to continue her advocacy for schools at the Capitol.

61st—Christine Morse (Kalamazoo Co.) Outside Metro Detroit, perhaps no suburban seat more represents the movement away from the President. Morse, a county commissioner, is running against a former Trump administration official.

62nd—Rep. Jim Haadsma (Calhoun Co.) Haadsma, a Battle Creek workers compensation attorney who has worked with MEA members for years, is running for re-election after winning for the first time in 2018.

48th—Rep. Sheryl Kennedy (Genesee Co.) A retired MEA member and school administrator, Kennedy has been a strong voice for educators and increased school funding in her role as on the K-12 Appropriates Subcommittee.

25th—Rep. Nate Shannon (Macomb Co.) This Sterling Heights seat is a perennial target and this year is no exception for Shannon—a high school teacher and former city council member who was one of several MEA members elected in 2018.

16 OCT–NOV 2020

Oakland County—With five top‑tier races, no county is more important for control of the State House this fall: 38th—Kelly Breen—After a narrow loss in 2018, this Novi city council member is back to run again in Southwest Oakland, this time in an open seat due to term limits.

39th—Julia Pulver—A nurse and 2018 Senate candidate, she hopes to defeat an incumbent here in West Bloomfield, Commerce and Wixom who’s taken key positions against public schools.

40th—Rep. Mari Manoogian—A rising star who spoke at the Democratic National Convention, she’s up for re-election this fall in Birmingham, Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills and West Bloomfield.

41st—Rep. Padma Kuppa—After flipping this Troy seat in 2018, Kuppa runs for re-election after taking strong stands in favor of school funding increases for her local districts.

45th—Barb Anness—A Rochester school board member and PTA activist, she is working hard to flip this open seat currently held by the GOP.

Wayne County—Western and Downriver Wayne County will continue to have key seats, including: 19th—Rep. Laurie Pohutsky­—A microbiologist and pro-public education incumbent running for her second term representing Livonia.

20th—Rep. Matt Koleszar—A former teacher and MEA local president running for re‑election in Northville, Plymouth and eastern Canton.

23rd—Rep. Darrin Camilleri—The former educator from Brownstown serves as minority vice chair of the critical House Education Committee.

ELECTION 2020

MEA VOICE 2020 ELECTION PULL-OUT GUIDE

Keep this guide to help remind you how to help win for public education this fall, including voting for MEA-recommended candidates and voting safely and securely from your home.

MEAVotes.org—Your One Stop Resource for Election 2020 Visit MEAVotes.org to:

Look Up MEA Recommended Candidates for Your Area Enter your address to get a customized list of candidates interviewed and recommended—by MEA members like you—based on responses to education and labor issues. These friends of education deserve your vote!

Apply for a Ballot to Vote From Home Take advantage of new no-reason absentee voting rules to safely and securely Vote From Home.

Request your ballot (either online or via a printable form), find timelines and local clerk information, and—using our BallotPower tool—sign up for updates to ensure your ballot is received and counted.

Contribute to MEA-PAC Online Make one-time or recurring credit card contributions to MEA-PAC— these voluntary contributions are used to help friends of public education win elections (dues dollars cannot be and are not used for political candidate contributions).

Interested in volunteering to help friends of public education win this fall? Visit mea.org/volunteer to sign up today!

IMPORTANT DATES OCT. 19: Last day to register to vote online or by mail.

OCT. 20: Mail your ballot before this day as early as you can or drop it off at your clerk’s office.

After this day, only drop your ballot off at your clerk’s office or in a dropbox provided by your clerk (which you can find at BallotPower.org.)

NOV. 2: If you’re registered to vote where you live, you can vote absentee until 4 p.m. at your clerk’s office, after that you must vote at your polling location on Election Day. NOV. 3: Election Day! The polls are open 7 a.m.–8 p.m. local time. At your clerk’s office, you can register to vote and then cast your ballot until 8 p.m.

IMPORTANT LINKS StrongPublicSchools.org MichiganVoting.org mi.gov/vote MEA VOICE 17

ELECTION 2020

MEA S&R MEA’s Screening & Recommending (S&R) process places control of MEA political recommendations in the hands of MEA members from across the state from diverse backgrounds and roles within the public education community.

The process is governed by the MEA Political Action Committee (MEA-PAC) Council, made up of local delegates from MEA’s 60+ coordinating councils.

Recommendation decisions are based on candidate responses to questionnaires and interviews regarding education and labor issues only.

Recommendations at the state level are made by the Statewide S&R Committee, which is composed of elected members from various parts of the state and job classifications.

The S&R process for legislative districts is controlled at the local level, where interviews and recommendation votes are taken

by MEA members from those jurisdictions serving on local S&R Committees.

Recommendations for federal offices must also be confirmed by the board of the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education.

Note: All recommendations as of publication date, Sept. 16— for updates and more local recommendations, visit MEAVotes.org.

18 OCT–NOV 2020

President and Vice President of the United States— Joe Biden and Kamala Harris United States Senator— Gary Peters

Fill in for Your District: Check out the list on the next page for your area or visit MEAVotes.org to find MEA recommendations for your area, including important local races like school boards and school millages or bonds.

U.S. Congress State House

State Board of Education— Ellen Cogen Lipton and Jason Strayhorn University of Michigan Board of Regents— Mark Bernstein and Shauna Ryder Diggs Michigan State University Board of Trustees— Brian Mosallam and Rema Vassar Wayne State University Board of Governors— Eva Garza Dewaelsche and Shirley Stancato Michigan Supreme Court— Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack and Elizabeth Welch

U.S. Congress: CD 1 CD 2 CD 3 CD 4 CD 5 CD 6 CD 7 CD 8 CD 9 CD 10 CD 11 CD 12 CD 13 CD 14

Dana Ferguson Bryan Berghoef Hillary Scholten Jerry Hilliard Dan Kildee Jon Hoadley Gretchen Driskell Elissa Slotkin Andy Levin Kimberly Bizon Haley Stevens Debbie Dingell Rashida Tlaib Brenda Lawrence

State House: HD 1 HD 2 HD 3 HD 4 HD 5 HD 6 HD 7 HD 8 HD 9 HD 10 HD 11 HD 12 HD 13 HD 14 HD 15 HD 16 HD 17 HD 18 HD 19 HD 20 HD 21 HD 22 HD 23 HD 24 HD 25 HD 26 HD 27 HD 28

Tenisha Yancey Joe Tate Shri Thanedar Abraham Aiyash Cynthia A. Johnson Tyrone Carter Helena Scott Stephanie A. Young No Recommendation Mary Cavanagh Jewell Jones Alex Garza Tullio Liberati Cara Clemente Abdullah Hammoud Kevin Coleman Christopher Slat Kevin Hertel Laurie Pohutsky Matt Koleszar Ranjeev Puri Richard M. Steenland Darrin Camilleri Michelle Woodman Nate Shannon Jim Ellison Regina Weiss Lori Stone

HD 29 HD 30 HD 31 HD 32 HD 33 HD 34 HD 35 HD 36 HD 37 HD 38 HD 39 HD 40 HD 41 HD 42 HD 43 HD 44 HD 45 HD 46 HD 47 HD 48 HD 49 HD 50 HD 51 HD 52 HD 53 HD 54 HD 55 HD 56 HD 57 HD 58 HD 59 HD 60 HD 61 HD 62 HD 63 HD 64 HD 65 HD 66 HD 67 HD 68 HD 69 HD 70 HD 71

Brenda Carter Michael Chehab Bill Sowerby No Recommendation Jeff Yaroch Cynthia R. Neeley Kyra Harris Bolden No Recommendation Samantha Steckloff Kelly Breen Julia Pulver Mari Manoogian Padma Kuppa No Recommendation Nicole Breadon Denise Forrest Barb Anness Jody LaMacchia Robert J. Bezotte Sheryl Kennedy John D. Cherry Tim Sneller Brad May Donna Lasinski Yousef Rabhi Ronnie Peterson Felicia Brabec No Recommendation Will Garcia Tamara Barnes No Recommendation No Recommendation Christine Morse Jim Haadsma No Recommendation No Recommendation Nancy Smith Abigail Wheeler Kara Hope Sarah Anthony Julie Brixie Karen Garvey Angela Witwer

HD 72 Lily Cheng-Schulting HD 73 Bill Saxton HD 74 No Recommendation HD 75 David LaGrand HD 76 Rachel Hood HD 77 No Recommendation HD 78 Dan VandenHeede HD 79 Chokwe Pitchford HD 80 No Recommendation HD 81 No Recommendation HD 82 Gary Howell HD 83 No Recommendation HD 84 No Recommendation HD 85 Andrea Kelly Garrison HD 86 No Recommendation HD 87 No Recommendation HD 88 No Recommendation HD 89 No Recommendation HD 90 Bradley Slagh HD 91 Brian Hosticka HD 92 Terry Sabo HD 93 No Recommendation HD 94 Demond Tibbs HD 95 Amos O’Neal HD 96 Brian Elder HD 97 No Recommendation HD 98 Sarah Schulz HD 99 John Zang HD 100 Scott VanSingel HD 101 Beth McGill-Rizer HD 102 Amanda Siggins HD 103 No Recommendation HD 104 Dan O’Neil HD 105 Jonathan Burke HD 106 No Recommendation HD 107 Jim Page HD 108 Renee Richer HD 109 Sara Cambensy HD 110 Janet Metsa MEA VOICE 19

ELECTION 2020

Control of Supreme Court rests on your votes down the ballot Michigan voters elect justices to the Supreme Court on the non-partisan section of the ballot, so straight party votes do not count for these races. That’s why finishing your ballot by voting for these two MEA-recommended candidates is so important—especially since control of the court’s majority hangs in the balance this fall for the first time in a decade.

Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack

Apply now to Vote From Home Take advantage of new no-reason absentee voting by using the form on the next page to apply for a ballot to be mailed to you.

Go to BallotPower.org to find your local clerk (where you can drop off both this application and, later, your completed ballot) and to sign up for updates about your ballot’s status to ensure your vote is counted in November. You can also apply online until Oct. 30 at that site.

 Former University of Michigan law professor who has served on the court since 2013.

Instructions:

 Elected Chief Justice by her peers in 2019, despite being a Democratic Party nominee serving with a GOP majority.

STEP 1: Fill out the application completely.

You must sign the form to get a ballot.

 Wrote opinion in favor of districts’ ability to restrict the carry of guns in schools.  Voted to return 3 percent of school employees’ salary unconstitutionally withheld in 2010-12.

Elizabeth Welch  Grand Rapids-area employment law attorney.  Has run own law practice for 16 years helping employers understand and follow laws governing wages and hours, leave practices, employee contracts and negotiations, and more.  Staunch supporter of public education, including service on the East Grand Rapids school board.  Longtime parent advocate for strong schools to serve students and communities.

Key Local Races Also, at the end of your ballot are important local school board races, where recommendations are determined at the local level by members like you—check MEAVotes.org to find listings for your area.

YES on Wayne Renewal Many local school funding proposals also appear down ballot, including a vote this fall in Wayne County to reauthorize a countywide millage that generates $300 per student for the county’s districts—please vote YES.

STEP 2: Deliver the application in any of these ways: 1. Mail it. Make sure the envelope has proper postage and is addressed to your local clerk.

2. Email it. Take a picture of the form (or scan it) and email it to your clerk. Make sure your signature is visible.

3. Deliver it in person to the clerk, the clerk’s office, or the clerk’s authorized assistant. Someone in your immediate family or living in your household can help you deliver this application. If that’s not possible, you can ask any Michigan registered voter to deliver it for you. The person helping you must sign the “Certificate of Authorized Registered Elector Assisting in Returning Application.”

When is the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot?

Requests for an absent voter ballot must be received by your township or city clerk no later than 5 p.m. the Friday before the election. If you’re already registered at your current address, you can request an absent voter ballot in person at your clerk’s office anytime up to 4 p.m. on the day prior to the election.

When do I need to deliver my ballot?

Your completed absentee ballot must be received by your city or township clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Begin the process early by delivering your application for an absentee ballot as soon as possible.

20 OCT–NOV 2020

ELECTION 2020

MEA VOICE  21

MEMBER BENEFITS

MEA Member-to-Member Ed‑Tech Webinars Meet Urgent Nationwide Need

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Michigan last March, MEA member Chris Thomas found himself in a unique position to help other educators in the district where he worked—Ann Arbor—get up to speed in figuring out how to deliver remote learning.

Now he’s doing the same for thousands of others in Michigan and across the country through a partnership with MEA and NEA to deliver free member-to-member professional development on the most pressing issues of the day.

“Preparation meets opportunity meets need,” said MEA UniServ Consultant Chad Williams, who

has facilitated a series of webinars

by Thomas and a team of working educators who are experts in edtech for MEA’s Center for Leadership & Learning. “All of these presenters are immediately credible in the eyes of their peers.”

With the sudden closure of schools last March, Thomas tapped a network of tech-savvy colleagues from years of serving as a teacher-leader providing training and developing programs in blended learning and educational technology.

The team has quickly developed a series of webinars as MEA presenters on a range of topics useful to educators of all types struggling to make a sudden shift to remote learning. Because Thomas and his team were able to hit the ground running, they played a similar role with NEA.

“This is union members as teacher-leaders supporting other union members,” Thomas said. “We’re positioned to be super relevant, offering ideas that people can use the next day to support themselves, their colleagues and their students in these challenging times.”

So far nearly 15,000 educators from 14 states have benefited from the MEA webinar series coordinated by Thomas and delivered via the state and national unions. In Michigan, one live webinar session attracted more than 260 participants on one Zoom call.

“Just the sheer volume of people signing up for these sessions is remarkable,” said Thomas, an 20-year teaching veteran who was a finalist for Teacher of the Year when he worked for Department of Defense schools in Germany before returning to Ann Arbor in 2013.

To get up to speed quickly, Thomas leveraged networks of educators he had connections with through his work as a teacher-leader in Ann Arbor’s blended learning program and as a mentor in MEA-NEA’s Early Career Learning Labs, among other union roles he’s played.

One of the MEA member-educators he tapped was Ellen Brooks, a sixthgrade teacher in her second year at Monroe Public Schools who previously taught first grade for five years in Ann Arbor. Brooks began this journey in a cohort learning about ed-tech with Thomas in her second year on the job.

22 OCT–NOV 2020

MEMBER BENEFITS

about how to incorporate technology in the context of specific content knowledge and how to evaluate technology in terms of specific classroom needs.

Ellen Brooks “I had a ball, and I learned a lot more about the pedagogical frameworks for thinking about educational technology, and it shifted my entire teaching practice pretty dramatically,” Brooks said. “I was incorporating technology in a lot of different ways—even with little ones, which many people didn’t think you could do.”

Eventually Brooks became a facilitator alongside Thomas, training educators in Ann Arbor and presenting to others at conferences across the state for MEA and the Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL).

Being a teacher has always been about being part of a community, Brooks said, but today that community is larger and spread across a bigger terrain: “All of the sudden teachers who are very distant from each other can see we all have the same battles and the same goals. It’s powerful.”

Teaming with Thomas in live virtual presentations to provide immediate support for thousands of educators across the U.S. has been a moving experience, she added.

“I cannot describe the feeling of seeing in the chat someone from Kansas saying, ‘Thank you so much; I finally know where to start,’ or someone from Missouri saying, ‘I don’t think

Chris Thomas this will work for me. Is there something else?’”

There is no magic to the sessions organized around topics such as effectively using Google Classroom, teaching math at a distance, providing differentiated instruction and accommodations, addressing social-emotional needs, and planning a week of remote teaching.

The key to success of the webinars is in the attention paid to pedagogy, Brooks said. Most of the sessions include frameworks for thinking

“With all of these shifts that we’re making, we’re trying to not just fill the gap and be like, ‘Here’s a thing you could do,’ but to also say, ‘Here’s how you think about it and make it work for you in a meaningful context for your demographic.’”

Brooks’ journey from ed-tech learner to teacher shows how educators are empowered by opportunities to share expertise, said MEA’s Chad Williams. “Rank-and-file folks really want to contribute, and when they’re allowed to step into the role—that kind of leadership is infectious.”

If you are interested in bringing meaningful PD to your colleagues, contact MEA UniServ consultant Chad Williams at cwilliams@mea.org.

MEA ED-TECH WEBINARS MEA members can watch recordings of sessions included in Effective Teaching with EdTech: A Member-to-Member MEA Webinar Series at mea.org/cll-webinars. Note: SCECHs were available only for participants in the live webinars. Sessions available for viewing include:            

EdTech Pedagogy in Early Childhood Leveling Up Google Slides for Seesaw and Google Classroom Providing Accommodations and Scaffolds Math at a Distance: Best Practices Using Pear Deck to Engage Learners at a Distance Planning for a week of Distance Learning Seesaw Basics Seesaw Intermediate Getting Started with Google Classroom Google Classroom (Advanced) Differentiating & Team Teaching: Distance Learning Edition Formative Assessments MEA VOICE 23

AWARDS & HONORS

New MTOY: An Advocate for Educators and ‘Marginalized Voices’

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor MEA member Owen Bondono quickly got down to work as the new Michigan Teacher of the Year (MTOY). Just a few weeks into the role as advocate and voice for the state’s educators, he began surveying school employees on their thoughts about returning to school amid a pandemic.

He sorted educators’ fears into categories. One concern was repeated: How can a school system that can’t keep toilet paper and pencils in stock supply adequate personal protective equipment?

“There’s a lot of worry about funding and supplies,” he said. “There’s worry about air quality and infrastructure. There’s a lot of worry about schools that are going to disregard anything on the (MI Safe Schools) Roadmap that’s recommended instead of required and essentially go back to school like it’s business as usual with no social distancing, no reduced class sizes, and—depending on the age of students—no masks.

“There’s a lot of concern about teachers being forced to work from their school building even though they’re teaching remotely in areas with high numbers of infections. And I’ve heard a lot of concern about the lack of transparent communication (from administrators).”

On the other hand, many educators are feeling optimistic and creative 24 OCT–NOV 2020

despite the challenges and concerns, Bondono said.

The 31-year-old sixth-year teacher took that feedback to the Sept. 8 meeting of the State Board of Education, where the MTOY holds a non-voting seat. The point is not to offer solutions; “There’s no one solution that can make everyone happy,” he said. “My job at the State Board of Education is to represent teachers’ voices—especially in a time like now when many teachers are feeling unheard.”

can thrive. The key, he says, is getting to know students on a human level.

In his language arts classes at Oak Park’s Freshman Institute, Bondono does narrative writing alongside his students. “We spend a lot of time at the beginning of the year talking about identity, what communities we belong to, and moments that have emotional significance.”

Ensuring safe spaces has always been a focus for Bondono, who has committed to lifting up the voices of marginalized people during his year in the education spotlight.

Once bonds are created, he maintains connection by prioritizing open conversation. “Protecting the space is about being willing to stop, for example, if someone makes a joke that is sexist and say, ‘Hey, I don’t think you realize that was inappropriate, so let’s unpack this together.’”

He is the first openly transgender person to be selected for the state’s top teaching post, recognized for creating an inclusive, supportive classroom where all young people

Even more frequently than their straight, cisgender peers, LGBTQ youth experience hostility, harassment, or violence at school—and sometimes at home, as well. As a

AWARDS & HONORS

young person, Bondono had friends who became homeless after coming out to parents, and he points out that LGBTQ youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than other groups.

Growing up in Shelby Township, he felt supported in his family but experienced bullying at school. “My mom is a lesbian, and my big sister is also queer, so I wasn’t getting that negativity from my home, but at school it was sort of—what’s the phrase?

Death by a thousand little cuts?”

The abuse began with teasing about his mother in elementary school and getting in trouble when he defined the word lesbian for some kids on the playground. “That told me right away that the topic of who my mother is and what my family is was inappropriate for school,” he said.

In high school, where he was out as bisexual (he didn’t come out as trans until college), Bondono was mistreated by students who didn’t want to let him use the bathroom. When he and others tried to start a GayStraight Alliance club, the principal denied the request.

“We had a lot of that, where it felt very much like my queer friends and I were huddled together like penguins in the cold, trying to keep each other warm,” he said. “We used to talk about which teachers we thought might be gay. At the time it was just a bunch of teenagers gossiping, but looking back I think it was this deep hope that maybe there were people like us who were adults and had made it through, and we were searching for them desperately.”

For that reason, Bondono hopes to be a “possibility model.” He

Owen Bondono borrowed the term from transgender actress Laverne Cox, best known for her groundbreaking role on the Netflix series Orange is the New Black.

“That term shapes a lot of what I do in my classroom, because many times our students don’t know how to have these conversations. They don’t know how to express who they are. They don’t know how to stand up for themselves in a way that’s appropriate. So by doing these things in front of them, I’m being a possibility model of what one version of an adult looks like.”

Bondono has been writing since early childhood. Now he also enjoys encouraging students to become readers and writers. He looks for literature that is well-written and relatable, either because the characters are diverse or the situations depicted are universal.

This summer he taught a virtual enrichment class through his school district and had a great experience using a non-fiction title, This Book is Anti-Racist, by Tiffany Jewell. With short engaging chapters and journal activities, the book lent itself to “amazing discussions,” he said.

Educators looking to be more supportive and inclusive toward LGBTQ students should seek out

high-quality learning materials, Bondono said. He recommended to start with the Michigan Department of Education’s Safe and Supportive Schools trainings, the guide to Best Practices for Serving LGBTQ Youth from Teaching Tolerance, and numerous resources from the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN).

He also encourages educators from every subject area to “normalize LGBTQ identities” by teaching about queer people who have contributed to their field. He remembers studying Walt Whitman in high school and being shocked to learn in college that the 19th Century poet was gay.

“It felt like this whole history of people like me had been hidden from me,” he said.

Inclusion can be as simple as including the information along with other biographical facts—“they were born in this time and in this place and also they were gay,” he added.

“Queer people have always existed, and it helps knowing that you are not some strange anomaly—that the community is not some recent development in the human condition.

We’ve always been here, and we’ve always contributed to society.”

In addition to his work on the State Board of Education, Bondono will serve with the nine Regional Teachers of the Year on the Michigan Teacher Leadership Advisory Council and as a member of the Governor’s Educator Advisory Council. He is also the state’s candidate for the prestigious National Teacher of the Year award.

MEA VOICE 25

ISSUES & ADVOCACY

MEA’s New LGBTQ Caucus Off to Good Start

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor

During college, MEA member Anthony Pennock worried about whether he could ever be accepted as a gay man in the classroom. Now the sixth-year special education teacher is co-chair of MEA’s new LGBTQ Caucus.

Pennock believes in “the power of one.” One teacher. One counselor.

One bus driver. One librarian. One accepting, caring adult in a school building can help an LGBTQ student feel safe.

However, “safe” isn’t the only goal for LGBTQ students, the Battle Creek Education Association president says. “We’re learning now they need to feel included. That’s about the curriculum piece—being seen in the literature, for example—but it’s also about activities, like are they able to go to prom with who they would like to go to prom with?”

The new caucus will provide guidance, resources, and support to MEA members who want to learn more and do better. It came about because a group of LGBT teachers and allies realized educators needed help to understand the struggles of students and staff who identify as LGBTQ. Students who don’t feel included and supported tend to disengage and under-perform at school. “Sometimes it can lead to mental and emotional 26 OCT–NOV 2020

issues, as well as substance abuse, because they’re struggling to find out who they are,” Pennock said.

Where needed, members of the caucus might be willing to meet with district leadership in cases where lack of awareness leads to unsupportive culture, practices, and curriculum. Including diverse books and stories about LGBTQ people is not provocative, he said.

“It’s telling the story of other people.

It’s human experience.”

Anthony Pennock Students, filled up in just a few days. The book study is organized

by MEA’s Center for Leadership & Learning.

With growing social justice awareness and activism happening nationally, and movement toward viewing identity through a lens of intersectionality, “We needed to come together to address the struggles that our students and our staff members had with their own inclusivity,” Pennock said.

“We think we’re being well received not only because it’s a hot-button issue, but because people genuinely want to help their kids and help each other, and having the knowledge is a good way to do it,” Pennock said.

Members of the caucus conducted their first training sessions—on inclusive classroom libraries and board policies—at July’s MEA Summer Conference, which was held virtually and at no cost this year.

The sessions included giveaways of books for classroom libraries and professional development.

Membership is open to any MEA member or staff member, including aspiring educators and MEA-Retired.

Annual membership costs $15 for the state-level caucus only, or $40 covers membership in both the MEA and NEA caucuses.

The sessions were well attended, he said. More recently, a caucus-facilitated, SCECH-eligible virtual book study around the title, Safe is Not Enough: Better Schools for LGBTQ

Building membership is more difficult, he said, adding: “The pandemic has not helped.”

Email mea.lgbtqcaucus@ gmail.com to be sent the membership form. The formation of the caucus was approved by the MEA Representative Assembly in April 2019.

18

16

17

14 Described below, election procedures to be followed in the regions comply with relevant federal laws. (See positions to be elected following this section.)

15 12

Election dates for regions using online voting

13

8 a.m. March 1, 2021, through 3:59 p.m., March 15, 2021.

11

Election dates for regions using paper ballots The region at-large election shall be conducted on March 2, 3 and 4, 2021.

9

10

If inclement weather or another emergency interrupts the election listed above, it shall be completed on the next consecutive workday(s), but no later than March 24.

The candidates for the region atlarge positions shall be printed in the February edition of the MEA Voice. Persons interested in running for a position should contact their region elections chairperson or nominations chair. If a Region does not have a December meeting they cannot use acclamation. In order to elect by acclamation, there must be a quorum.

Absentee balloting (From the Region Council Constitution, Article VIII, Sec. 3.f.)

6

8

If your unit is not scheduled to work during the above days, the election shall be conducted on March 9, 10 and 11, 2021.

5

The region at-large election is an on-site election. However, eligible voters who are unable to vote on site during the election period may notify their local association president of a need to vote by absentee ballot. The request must be in writing, include the reason necessitating an absentee ballot and be received no later than Feb. 21 by the president. Eligible voters requesting an absentee ballot and complying with requirements shall be mailed an absentee ballot by the local association election

4

7 3

2

committee. An absentee ballot must be returned by U.S. mail and received by the local association no later than the last day of the election.

Late absentee ballots shall be unopened and set aside as void ballots.

Eligible voters Voter eligibility listings will be created from information received by the MEA Membership Department from the local associations by Feb. 7, 2021.

MEA VOICE 27

REGION ELECTIONS

Attention ESP members 2020 Region 50 statewide election for ESP only ESP members of MEA send delegates to the National Education Association Representative Assembly, which will be held next year in Denver, CO. Expenses are reimbursed in accordance with the adopted state delegate expense policy.

All Michigan ESP candidates for NEA statewide at-large delegate seats run as delegates for Region 50. All Michigan ESP members vote as part of Region 50 in electing their statewide at-large delegates to the NEA RA. A secret ballot is required. Elections are held at

the region level and results forwarded to MEA for counting.

Each nominated candidate may submit a biographical statement of 150 words or fewer to be distributed with ballots. Statements must be in paragraph form and will be printed as received by Dec. 31, 2020. Photos and lists will not be printed for regions using paper ballots, but pictures can be submitted for regions participating in online elections. Email statements to mostertag@mea.org, or mail to the MEA Executive Office c/o Mike Ostertag, PO Box 2573, East Lansing, MI 48826-2573.

MEA ESP members in good standing are eligible to be nominated or to selfnominate at the region nominations meeting or by using the nomination form. Additional forms are available from your region president or region election chairperson. A candidate’s consent must be secured before that name is placed on a ballot. The form should be mailed directly to Mike Ostertag at MEA Headquarters no later than Dec. 31, 2020. Late nominations will not be accepted.

If you have questions, contact your region elections chairperson, or call Mike Ostertag at MEA Headquarters 800-292-1934, ext. 5411, before Dec. 15, 2020.

Region 50—NEA Representative Assembly, ESP Delegate At Large Nomination Form (please print) Supply the following information regarding the nominee once the candidate’s required consent is secured.

Nomination form must be received no later than Dec. 31, 2020. Mail to: Mike Ostertag, MEA PO Box 2573, East Lansing, MI 48826-2573. Nomination forms received after Dec. 31, 2020 will not be accepted.

Biographical statements of no more than 150 words may be submitted. Statement must be in paragraph form. Lists are not accepted. Pictures will not be accepted for regions using paper ballots. Pictures will be accepted for regions participating in the online elections.

The named candidate is nominated for the following position(s):  ESP NEA RA at-large delegateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g): 1 position*, immediate thru 8/31/22  ESP NEA RA at-large delegateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g): 1 position*, immediate thru 8/31/23

 ESP NEA RA at-large delegate: 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21  ESP NEA RA at-large delegateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g): 2 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21

Name �������������������������������������������������������������������������� Home address �������������������������������������������������������������������� City_____________________________________ State______ Zip �������������������������� Home phone__________________________________Work phone �������������������������� Local ESP association �������������������������������������������������������������

REGION 2 Position 1–MEA Board of Director/NEA RA Delegate –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 Position 2–MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate-Representing Minority 3-1(g) –1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 Position 3–MEA RA At-Large DelegateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 Position 4–MEA RA At-Large AlternateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 5–EA NEA RA At-Large DelegateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21

28 OCT–NOV 2020

Position 6–EA NEA RA At-Large AlternateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –2 positions*, immed. thru 3/31/23

Position 11–ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate –3 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23

Position 8–EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/23

Position 12–EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/21 –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21, same seat as above

Position 9–EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate –1 position, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 10–ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 –2 positions, immed. thru 8/31/21 –2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21, same seats as above –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/21 –1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21, same seat as above

Position 13–EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/21 Position 14–ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate –3 positions, immed. thru 8/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/23 Position 15–ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate –3 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23 Elections Chair: Dave Daly, mrddaly@gmail.com

REGION 3 Position 1–MEA Board of Director/NEA RA Delegate –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/21 –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21, same seat as above –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 Position 3–MEA RA At-Large DelegateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –2 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21 Position 8–EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/22 Position 9–EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate –3 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 10–ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate –4 positions, immed. thru 8/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/21 –1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21, same seat as above Position 11–ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate –4 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 12–EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/23 Position 13–EA NEA Cluster Alternate –2 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 14–ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate –2 positions, immed. thru 8/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/21 –1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21, same seat as above Position 15–ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate –2 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 Elections Chair: D’Andra Clark, dandra.clark23@gmail.com

REGION 4 Position 1–MEA Board of Director/NEA RA Delegate –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 Position 6–EA NEA RA At-Large AlternateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –2 positions*, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 8–EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/23 Position 9–EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate –2 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 10–ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate –2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21 Position 11–ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate –2 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 12–EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/23 Position 13–EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate –1 position, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 14–ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/21 –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21, same seat as above

Position 15–ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate –2 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23

–2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21 –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/23

Elections Chair: Ross Williams, dad2kobe@yahoo.com

Position 2–MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate-Representing Minority 3-1(g) –1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21

REGION 5 Position 1–MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 Position 8–EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate –2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21 –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/21 –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21, same seat as above

Position 3–MEA RA At-Large DelegateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –2 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21 –2 positions*, immed. thru 8/31/21 –2 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21, same seats as above Position 4–MEA RA At-Large AlternateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –4 positions*, immed. thru 3/31/23

Position 9–EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate –2 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23

Position 6–EA NEA RA At-Large AlternateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –2 positions*, immed. thru 3/31/23

Position 10–ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate –2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21

Position 7–EA/ESP NEA RA At-Large Delegate –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/23 –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/22

Position 11–ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate –3 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 12–EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate –3 positions, immed. thru 8/31/22 –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/22 –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/21 –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21, same seat as above –2 positions*, immed. thru 8/31/21 –2 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21, same seats as above Position 13–EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate –4 positions, immed. thru 3/31/22 –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/22 Position 14–ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/22 Position 15–ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate –2 positions, immed. thru 3/31/22 –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/22 Elections Chair: Mary Cooper, mcooper@mymea.org

REGION 6 Position 3–MEA RA At-Large DelegateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –3 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21 Position 4–MEA RA At-Large AlternateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 7–EA/ESP NEA RA At-Large Delegate –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/23 Position 10–ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 Position 12–EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/23 Elections Chair: Heather Schulz, hschulz28@gmail.com

REGION 7 Position 1–MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate

Position 10–ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/22 –1 position, immed, thru 8/31/23 Position 11–ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate –4 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 14–ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate –3 positions, immed. thru 8/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/23 Position 15–ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate –4 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 –2 positions*, immed. thru 3/31/23 Elections Chair: Thomas Silak, northvilleea@gmail.com

REGION 8 Position 1–MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 Position 2–MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate-Representing Minority 3-1(g) –1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 Position 3–MEA RA At-Large DelegateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/21 –1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21, same seat as above Position 6–EA NEA RA At-Large AlternateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 8–EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate –3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21 –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/22 Position 9–EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate –2 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 10–ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/23

MEA VOICE 29

Position 11–ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate –5 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 12–EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate –4 positions, immed. thru 8/31/21 –4 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21, same seats as above –1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/22 Position 13–EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate –4 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 14–ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate –3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21 –2 positions*, immed. thru 8/31/21 –2 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21, same seats as above –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/22 Position 15–ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate –4 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 –2 positions*, immed. thru 3/31/23 Elections Chair: Marty Leftwich, mleftwich@mea.org

REGION 9

–5 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21, same seats as above –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/23

Position 10–ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/22 –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/23

Position 15–ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate –5 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/21 –2 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/21

Position 11–ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate –3 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23

Elections Chair: Joseph Guy, josephguy@ymail.com

Position 6–EA NEA RA At-Large AlternateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23

Position 14–ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/21 –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21, same seat as above –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/21 –1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21, same seat as above

Position 7–EA/ESP NEA RA At-Large Delegate –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/23

Position 15–ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate –2 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23

Position 8–EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/22

Elections Chair: Toni Scribner, tonispaparazzipretties@gmail.com

Position 9–EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate –2 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23

REGION 12

REGION 10 Position 5–EA NEA RA At-Large DelegateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21

Position 1–MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate –2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21

Position 10–ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/23

Position 3–MEA RA At-Large DelegateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –5 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21

Position 11–ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate –2 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23

Position 5–EA NEA RA At-Large DelegateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 Position 7–EA/ESP NEA RA At-Large Delegate –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/22 Position 8–EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate –2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21 –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/23 Position 9–EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate –2 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 10–ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate –5 positions, immed. thru 8/31/21 –5 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21, same seats as above –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/21 –1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21, same seat as above Position 11–ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate –3 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 12–EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate –3 positions, immed. thru 8/31/21 –3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21, same seats as above –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/21 –1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21, same seat as above Position 13–EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate –2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/21 Position 14–ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate –5 positions, immed. thru 8/31/21

30 OCT–NOV 2020

Position 12–EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate –4 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21 –2 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21

Position 12–EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate –2 positions, immed. thru 8/31/21 –2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21, same seat as above –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/21 –1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21, same seat as above –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/23 Position 13–EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate –2 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 14–ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/21 –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21, same seat as above –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/22 Position 15–ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate –2 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23 Elections Chair: Kevyn Welter, kweltr@gmail.com

REGION 11 Position 1–MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 Position 3–MEA RA At-Large DelegateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 Position 9–EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate –1 position, immed. thru 3/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23

Position 1–MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 Position 3–MEA RA At-Large DelegateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –2 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21 Position 8–EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/22 Position 10–ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 Position 11–ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 12–EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate –3 positions, immed. thru 8/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/22 Position 13–EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate –2 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 14–ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate –2 positions, immed. thru 8/31/21 –2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21, same seats as above –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/22 –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/21 –1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21, same seat as above Position 15–ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate –3 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23 Elections Chair: Jenny Oster, jjvandui@svsu.edu

REGION 13 Position 1–MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 Position 3–MEA RA At-Large DelegateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –2 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21

Position 4–MEA RA At-Large AlternateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –2 positions*, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 6–EA NEA RA At-Large AlternateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 8–EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate –3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21 –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/23 Position 9–EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate –3 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 10–ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate –3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21 –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/21 –1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21, same seat as above Position 11–ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate –3 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 12–EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate –2 positions, immed. thru 8/31/21 –2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21, same seats as above –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/22 Position 13–EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate –2 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 14–ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate –2 positions, immed. thru 8/31/21 –2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21, same seat as above –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/23 Position 15–ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate –3 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23 Elections Chair: Sally Purchase, sally.purchase@gmail.com

REGION 14 Position 4–MEA RA At-Large AlternateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 6–EA NEA RA At-Large AlternateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23

–1 position, immed. thru 8/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/23 Position 13–EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate –3 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23

Position 13–EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate –1 position, immed. thru 3/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 15–ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate –2 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23

Position 14–ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate –2 positions, immed. thru 8/31/23

Region 17 MAHE EA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21

Position 15–ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate –2 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23

Region 17 MAHE EA RA Cluster Alternate –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/21

Region 14 MAHE EA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/23

Elections Chair: Lisa Carubini, lisacarubini@gmail.com

Region 14 MAHE EA RA Cluster Alternate –1 position, immed. thru 3/31/23

REGION 18

Elections Chair: Greta Brock, gbrock@mea.org

REGION 15 Position 3–MEA RA At-Large DelegateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –1 position*, immediate thru 8/31/21 –1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21, same seat as above Position 8–EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate –2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21 –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/21 –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21, same seat as above Position 10–ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/22 –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/23

Position 1–MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/23 Position 3–MEA RA At-Large DelegateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/21 –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21, same seat as above Position 6–EA NEA RA At-Large AlternateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 8–EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/21 –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21, same seat as above Position 11–ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate –1 position, immed. thru 3/31/23

Position 12–EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate –2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21 –1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21

Position 12–EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/22

Position 13–EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23

Position 13–EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate –2 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 –1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/23

Elections Chair: Harvey Miller, hmiller@netonecom.net

REGION 16 Position 1–MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 Position 8–EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 Position 9–EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate –1 position, immed. thru 3/31/23

Position 14–ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21 Position 15–ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate –1 position, immed. thru 3/31/23 Region 18 MAHE Cluster Alternate –1 position, immed. thru 3/31/23 Elections Chair: Steve Elenich, selenich@copperisd.org

REGION 50 Region 50–ESP NEA RA At-Large DelegateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/22 –1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/23

Position 8–EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate –3 positions, immed. thru 8/31/23

Position 12–EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/23

Position 9–EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate –2 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23

Elections Chair: Al Beamish, abeamish@mymea.org

Position 10–ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate –2 positions, immed. thru 8/31/23

REGION 17

Region 50–ESP NEA RA At-Large Delegate –1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21

Position 3–MEA RA At-Large DelegateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/21

Region 50–ESP NEA RA At-Large DelegateRepresenting Minority 3-1(g) –2 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21

Position 11–ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate –2 positions, immed. thru 3/31/23 Position 12–EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate –2 positions, immed. thru 8/31/21 –2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21, same seats as above –1 position, immed. thru 8/31/22

Position 8–EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate –3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/21 Position 11–ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate –1 position, immed. thru 3/31/23

KEY: * is used to represent a Representative of Minority 3-1(g) seat MEA VOICE 31

Get your flu shot to protect yourself and your community Getting your flu shot is always important, but in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s even more critical that you and your family get your flu vaccines this fall.

Experts say you should get your flu shot this year not just to protect against what can be a debilitating or even deadly illness, but also to protect hospitals and other medical facilities from being overloaded by flu patients in addition to COVID-19 patients.

Not only are you protecting yourself by getting your flu shot, you’re also protecting your loved ones and your local community.

MESSA covers flu shots for members and their covered dependents.

Vaccines are completely free to you when administered by an in-network provider or select retail pharmacy.

To learn more about your MESSA benefits or find an in-network provider, call us at 800.336.0013; we’d be happy to help.

By Ross Wilson, MESSA Executive Director

Digital Read Across America Calendar Offers Lessons on Racial Inclusiveness and Equity School is back in session after one of the most tumultuous summers in recent history. And whether you are teaching in person, online, or some combination thereof, you are likely looking for books that speak to equity, identity, and empathy to help your students navigate difficult issues and emotions the pandemic and racial reckoning have stirred up. Those books can be found in NEA’s Read Across America Virtual Calendar. Listed by month, educators can find recommended books for all ages and teaching resources representing an array of cultures, identities and experiences.

Find it at readacrossamerica.org/2020-2021read-across-america-calendar.

32 OCT–NOV 2020

Coverage you can depend on for the ones you love.

As an eligible NEA member,* you’ve got the protection of NEA Complimentary Life Insurance, issued by

Visit neamb.com/protect to learn about all the solutions available

The Prudential Insurance Company of America —

to help meet your

but you should name a beneficiary to make sure your

insurance needs.

loved ones are covered. Go to neamb.com/free-tote and register your beneficiary to get this FREE tote.

FREE

Or call 1-855-NEA-LIFE (632-5433) and mention offer code: TOTE BAG * Visit us online or call for eligibility requirements.

NEA Members Insurance Trust is a registered trademark of the NEA Members Insurance Trust.

NEA Complimentary Life Insurance is issued by The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Newark, NJ. 0302614-00002-00

DT251020

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

See (More) Educators Run Two years ago, five MEA members won seats in the state Legislature and brought educator expertise to the Capitol. Four of them are running for reelection to House seats in November—Sheryl Kennedy (HD 48), Matt Koleszar (HD 20), Nate Shannon (HD 25), and Lori Stone (HD 28). Below are five more MEA-recommended member-candidates hoping to join the club and make public education a priority.

Denise Forrest (HD 44)

Dan VandenHeede (HD 78)

retired Dowagiac teacher and coach Niles City Council member “I have seen the troubles caused by bureaucrats with no experience in education creating unfunded mandates and expecting more with less. Also, the fact that my opponent is a DeVos funded ultra conservative is motivating! Everyone can see our roads need fixing. I have the experience in public education and local government to know what needs fixing in those areas as well. I pledge to listen to a variety of voices to make the best decisions to move Michigan forward.”

Karen Garvey (HD 70)

Nancy Smith (HD 65)

retired Hanover Horton teacher “My top priorities would be to fully fund our schools, preschool through college.

In addition, I will fight for issues that my rural and small-town neighbors care about, such as clean air and water, policies to help small businesses and family farmers, affordable healthcare and prescription drugs, fair and transparent government, good-paying jobs, and rural broadband. I’m a teacher. That means I’m a leader and a problem-solver. Michigan faces multiple serious problems today, and we need serious leadership.”

Michelle Woodman (HD 24)

retired Huron Valley teacher former HVEA president Huron Valley School Board trustee “As a lifelong educator and MEA member and leader, I have seen the damage done to public education under the leadership of Governor Snyder and I look forward to supporting Michigan’s educators and families in rebuilding our public education system. Michigan is dead last in growth in public education spending, last in infrastructure spending and last in governmental transparency. It is time to rebuild Michigan and create a state that works for its constituents.”

34 OCT–NOV 2020

Montabella teacher Home Township Library Board member Montabella EA president “The 70th is a rural community with long-standing challenges. Our district used to provide jobs that families and communities could prosper on. When large employers such as Hitachi, Electrolux and Total Refinery closed, that left a deep economic impact that the district has yet to recover from. We need to start small and local. Support our existing employers, work to bring new jobs to the area. Build a strong local economy, schools, health care, and infrastructure, everything necessary for growth.”

Chippewa Valley teacher “As an educator, I’ve seen students who don’t get enough to eat, families who cannot afford to take their children to the doctor, and parents who can’t stay home from work when they are sick. All of these issues are made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. We need more educators in Lansing who will prioritize the needs of students, families, the public school system, and its employees. Investing in a robust, supportive, and equitable system will remove barriers for students and give them a strong start in society.”

Thank you school employees!

We care about your financial and insurance needs.

Thank you for caring about students.

meafs.com 800-292-1950 1216 Kendale Blvd., PO Box 2501 East Lansing, MI 48826-2501

ONLINE VISITS ARE FREE THROUGH 2020 Because we care To help ensure our members can receive the care they need while continuing to stay safe during this ongoing crisis, MESSA is providing 100% free coverage for telehealth visits with in-network providers through the end of 2020.

Visit a doctor or therapist on your smartphone or computer You and your covered family members can see and talk to: •

A doctor for minor illness such as a cold, flu or sore throat.

•

A behavioral health clinician or psychiatrist to work through mental health challenges such as anxiety or depression.

Learn more and get started at messa.org/onlinevisits.