Letter to Members: We are champions

If you’ve been keeping up with developments at the state Capitol since January, you know some good things are happening and more is in the works.

Democratic leaders in both cham bers passed a rollback of the state’s unfair retirement tax, which Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed along with an expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit for working families in a ceremony attended by MEA leaders and members.

Also prioritized for hearings and action has been gun safety legisla tion in the wake of yet another horri fying school shooting — this time at MSU (read more on page 8) — and a long‑sought elimination of the retention mandate in the third‑grade reading law.

As we write, lawmakers have also begun work to restore school employ ees’ collective bargaining rights — stripped away in 2011 — which stagnated salaries, drove up health care costs, and removed numerous subjects of bargaining. In addition, we look for ward to action on changes needed in the teacher evaluation system.

There is much to celebrate and antic ipate. But this issue of the magazine also underscores the reality that our work as educators and union members is never done.

We’ve all seen or heard about extreme forces pushing book bans and anti‑LGBTQ+ policies on school boards across the state and coun try. This coordinated effort to drive a wedge between educators and par ents will not succeed, especially when we unite and work collectively to stop it (like is being done in Southwest Michigan’s Brandywine district — see story on page 11).

Our public schools are overwhelm ingly valued and supported in com munities large and small, conservative and liberal, and we are powerful when we join forces with all of our educa tion stakeholders in defense of quality public education.

Yet we know the work is exhausting and can be demoralizing. Find inspira tion in these pages. Know we are here for you — and together with you, we will continue to make a difference for students and educators alike.

From MEA’s officers: President Paula Herbart Vice President Chandra Madafferi Secretary‑Treasurer Brett Smith

BEST IN SHOW: MEA member Keith Beale, who’s in his first year teaching art in Troy, took the “Best in Show” prize at the 59th Annual MEA/MAEA Art Exhibition. Beale, who previously taught in Virginia for 19 years, won for his watercolor painting of a street behind Detroit’s Eastern Market. Beale says he is drawn to the mystery of industrial landscapes and enjoys trying to control the chaos of water in watercolor painting. “It has taken so much time to learn control of personal pacing and the timing of the water — when to keep painting into your paper and when to let it rest,” he said.

Read the story at mea.org/troy‑educator‑wins and view a gallery of all the artwork accepted into the exhibition, co‑sponsored by MEA and the Michigan Art Education Association, at mea.org/art

Quotables

Kat Sibalwa , a Spanish teacher and co‑president of the Byron Center Education Association, on the many ways unions matter in the lives of members in an arti cle she wrote for NEA titled, “We not only protect students and educators, but we’re also a family.”

For more indepth story coverage with links and additional photos, visit mea.org/voice

On the cover: Union leaders Debbie Carew and Abby Janke from Brandywine schools in Niles are part of community push‑back against extremism. Story on page 11.

Fatal shooting at MSU, page 8. Bargaining outlook , page 20. Member speaks out , page 30. More inside: Aspiring + new educators, page 5. My View series, page 7. Northern Michigan grant project deepens lessons, page 22. MEA Elections, page 23.

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 necessar ily 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 sub scription. 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: 108,305.

21st Annual MEA Scholarship Fund Golf Outing June 12

Save the date! The 21st Annual MEA Scholarship Fund Golf Outing will be June 12 at the Forest Akers Golf Course in Lansing. The outing raises funds for scholarships given to college‑bound students from Michigan public schools. Golfers will have a shotgun start at 9 a .m. in a four‑player scramble format. The golf fee is $120 per person, which includes breakfast and lunch, and a portion of the fee is tax‑de ductible. Registration forms will be available online soon. Please contact Barb Hitchcock at 517‑333‑6276 or bhitchcock@mea.org with questions.