Candidate for MEA President

Chandra Madafferi

Chandra joined MEA more than 25 years ago at CMU while becoming a teacher. Elected as MEA vice president in 2017, she has served in a variety of roles including local president for the Novi EA. Chandra holds a master’s degree in education from U of M Dearborn, is a Fellow of the Education Leadership Policy Program through MSU and was a teacher in the Novi Community Schools where her two children currently attend. In addition, she was a 15‑year administrator in the Bloomfield Hills School District for a summer program (Bloomfield SCAMP) that services individuals with disabilities.

Campaign Statement

MEA is unique, as we are not only a professional association meeting the needs of our members, but we are also a union. We are not just any union, but the largest labor union in Michigan, and our members are our biggest strength! Today, we are at a crossroads for not only our organization, but our chosen profession. Prior to the pandemic, mem bership was on a decline after many left prematurely due to years of pay freezes, legislative attacks, and privatization. Regressively organizing, or continually trying to replace members who leave with new ones, has become a challenge we must overcome.

Even with these challenges, I believe that MEA can not only grow our membership but be on the forefront of education innovation for our mem bers and our students. We must take a NEW approach that is more personal ized and proactive to meet the needs of our diverse membership. Bringing the experience of our staff together with the strength of our members, MEA must rebrand education as the profession of the future. We must inspire and ignite the next generation of educators, giving us the opportunity to become mem bership net‑positive for the first time in years. As the author of the proposal of the Center for Leadership and Learning, I have observed that the increase in professional development through part nerships with universities and education associations, in addition to those with our staff, has improved member engage ment and given our members another direct benefit.

Strong locals with well‑trained local leaders, who work closely with high ly‑trained MEA professional staff/ UDs, are the lifeblood of our organiza tion. Assisting with release time and reducing dues are just a few ideas my VP Candidate, Brett Smith, and I will explore. We are prepared to address the countless statewide governance vacancies and support burned‑out lead ers holding multiple positions, worried about who will take over next. We will expand our leadership bench for local associations and our UniServ staff by threading the needle between the Presidents’ Academy and staff train ing as we recruit the best and brightest with years of demonstrated success. I am confident that with my proven lead ership experience and growth mind set, together with the MEA Board of Directors, our MEA/NEA delegates, aspiring educators, and the wisdom of our retirees, we will revitalize and strengthen our systems that provide the best service to our members while ensuring financial stability.

We must continue to focus on bar gaining for better wages, benefits, and working conditions to make education careers more appealing and provide a livable wage for all. In addition, we must take advantage of the most pro‑pub lic education, labor‑friendly legislative body we have seen in years to reverse many laws that have been harmful to our educators and students.

As vice president I continue to be active in electing individuals and devel oping relationships with those who sup port public education at the local, state, and national level and appreciate the importance of working with people on both sides of the aisle. I have worked closely with indi viduals from the Michigan Department of Education, higher education institu tions, the governor’s office, and other education associations from sitting on statewide task forces, committees, and boards. We are committed to partner ing with labor unions in a new way to help reinforce our efforts to support labor friendly legislation and strengthen the union movement.

As a systems thinker, and a natural collaborator, I use data to drive change, accountability, and improve transpar ency to solve issues before they become problems. Often working behind the scenes and out of the spotlight, I listen to members and am side‑by‑side with leaders and staff doing the work. I am proud of what I’ve accomplished as vice president and am grateful for those who had faith in me to get me this far. Brett and I are proud to be the ESP Caucus recommended candidates and are thankful for the early endorse ments taken by the 2B coordinating council, regions 4, 7, 10 and 13 as well as endorsements from 2, 3, 9, 11, and the Michigan Association for Higher Education (MAHE). Together with over twenty years combined experience at the state and local level, we have the knowledge, vision, and ability to make the benefits of membership more visible as we improve our services to our mem bers. With a social justice heart, a busi ness and service mindset, along with the strength of our union as our shield, I will continue to keep our association and profession the powerful institution and influential profession it is for gener ations to come.

Candidate for MEA Vice President

Alfonso Salais

The son of Mexican parents, Alfonso Salais, Jr. is a first‑generation honors college grad uate from Central Michigan University. As a 28‑year educator in the Lansing School District, he firmly believes that the MEA will be stronger when we fully embrace our diversity and the diverse members we serve, which includes ESPs, Higher Ed, and other classified and licensed professionals. Alfonso served in multiple leadership roles at the local, state, and national levels. He is currently the Vice President of his local, an NEA Board of Director and serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of the National Council of Urban Education Associations.

Campaign Statement

I am pleased and honored to announce my candidacy for Vice‑President of the MEA to represent and advocate FOR YOU and for ALL educators in our union!

During my 28 years as an educator, I have made it my goal to educate people

Brett Smith

about our profession and advocate for public schools and its employees. I feel privileged to contribute to the com munity in which I grew up and to be an integral part of my urban school district where male educators of color are des perately needed.

My purpose as a professional is to support, serve, and uplift others, uncon ditionally and positively. My service to our association in many different roles has included advocacy for public edu cation, raising awareness of racial and social injustice for marginalized com munities, and working with other orga nizations and community stakeholders to elevate the profession.

My heart and passion for this orga nization has never faltered! I am very fortunate to serve in many leadership capacities. As a MEA and a NEA board member, I made it a personal mission to champion our work and speak on behalf of ALL educators at the local, state, and national level.

I served on the NEA’s Resolution Committee, was appointed to serve on NEA’s Racial Justice in Education Policy statement task force, served as the Ethnic Minority Director for the National Council of Urban Education Associations (NCUEA), and was elected as the NEA’s Hispanic Caucus Midwest Director. Currently, I serve as a member of the NEA’s ESP Career Committee and have served as NCUEA’s Secretary/ Treasurer since 2018.

I feel it is important to be a propo nent for all members of our profession: students, teachers, and support staff who are the glue that hold our schools together. They are our ESP members‑ both K‑12 and Higher Education. It is with the same confidence and commit ment to this organization that I ask for your vote of confidence in electing me as Vice President of the MEA.

Candidate for MEA Vice President

I t ake the work to heart, and unionism is part of everything I believe.

Brett is currently serving his second term as the MEA secretary‑treasurer. Before being elected as MEA secretary‑treasurer, Brett was an elementary teacher in Linden Community Schools for 17 years. He has been a proud MEA member for 23 years. Before teaching, Brett worked for General Motors and Ameritech Cellular. Brett and his wife Tracey have four children and reside in Linden.

Campaign Statement

Dedicated, passionate leadership is what I believe in most.

I am committed to continuing to work with and for our members. Traveling the state and listening to members has pro vided me with the knowledge and tools to advocate and represent our members. I am passionate in regards to revitaliz ing the MEA into the strongest profes sional organization and union it can be.

I have the leadership experience that makes me the clear choice to be the next vice president of the MEA. As a local leader in Linden, I served as an association/building representa tive, vice president, grievance chair, lead negotiator, and president. Having these experiences as a local leader is an imperative part of being a successful vice president.

At the state level, I have gained incredible insight as I have a seat on the MEA Board of Directors, the MEA Executive Committee, the MESSA Board of Directors, and the MEA Financial Services Board. I also sit on several committees for the MEA Staff Retirement Plan Board. I proudly rep resent MEA members as I sit on the Executive Board of the MDE Special Education Advisory Council.

As MEA secretary‑treasurer, I have become a national leader. I lead trainings for officers from other NEA state affiliates. I am also a mentor to other NEA state secretary‑treasur ers. As a member of the SRP board, I have the unique opportunity to attend national training where I facilitate sessions, and I have built relationships with other labor union leaders across the country. I will use these relationships to further the labor union movement nationwide.

I am looking forward to working with Chandra Madafferi. We plan to honor the past by including MEA retired voices in conversations. We will seize the present by providing the best member service possible as we are a member‑driven organization. We plan to revitalize the MEA and rebuild our union and our profession. We also believe in being fully transparent and will include MEA Board Members in crucial decisions concerning the MEA.