Editor’s Notebook

Nearly 20 years ago, I was a sixth-year teacher working at a middle school in California when I got some of the most powerful advice I ever received as an educator. I was grading and planning in my classroom on a Saturday, and a veteran teacher saw me through an open door. “Mind if I come in?” he said. Jack taught seventh-grade social studies. He was a kind man, a running and fitness buff, nearing the end of his career, well-liked by staff and students alike, and married to a school nurse who worked in the main office. I taught eighth-grade combined language arts-social studies classes. After a couple minutes of small talk, he asked me how many weekends I worked a month. I was sheepish, and well into my second pregnancy, but admitted: “A lot.” He took a deep breath and hesitated. He asked if he could offer friendly advice, and I agreed. “Some years back, I lost my teenage daughter to a drunk driver,” he said. “It was the worst thing that ever could have happened to me, and the pain was indescribable. Some people in that situation lose themselves in alcohol or drugs, but I chose something else. I lost myself in my work. “I started working from morning to night and every weekend to escape the pain. I continued for a long time, until I not only lost myself—I lost my marriage and my family and my happiness. Now that experience is past, and I’m happily remarried to Donna, but it taught me. I learned a teacher’s work is never done, and this job will take whatever you give it—and always ask for more. “This profession is a hungry beast that is never satisfied. You have to accept that fact or pay the price—in terms of your health, or time with loved ones, or happiness. Learn how to give what it needs and save the rest for yourself. Know that it will always demand more, and figure out when to stop.” Jack wasn’t burned out or advising me to change professions. He had plunged into a dark abyss and emerged to offer wisdom of the ages. I’ve been grateful to have many teachers share guidance over my whole life— and I’ve paid it forward. That is what educators do. It’s who we are. This issue’s cover story is testament to the work that educators undertake daily in a difficult labor of love that transcends lesson plans or test scores. One teacher from the story describes his work as getting to know kids and helping them find their way through a day, a week, a year. “Academics is a piece, but there’s so much more to who these young people are, who they want to be, and who they will grow into,” says Tom Hopper, a seventh-grade social studies teacher in Okemos. Elsewhere in this issue, educators everywhere are struggling through a dark time and speaking up to raise awareness (13-16); there is good news on student loan debt forgiveness (22-23); and MEA is testing new ways to create space for meaningful mentoring of early career educators (18-21). The challenges—and students’ needs—are great. Our efforts have impact, even when we can’t see it, so here is hoping this season’s gift of time begins to restore our spirits for the important work ahead. The number of techniques that charter schools use to control which students enroll, thereby limiting at-risk, special education and transient students who can be more expensive to educate, according to a new book, School’s Choice: How Charter Schools Control Access and Shape Enrollment. Written by two education researchers, Wagma Mommandi and Kevin Welner, the book lists gate-keeping practices such as pricing out (with fees), assigning parent homework, counseling out, denying services, and creating hoops as barriers. The book also explores recommendations to address the problem.

QUOTABLES

“We stand united today to ask that you consider a fair and equal distribution of our wage chart to recognize that each and every one of us is valuable to the district, no matter what role we play.”

Myra Bray, president of Lapeer Education Support Personnel, speaking at a November school board meeting to encourage resolution of contract talks ongoing since January. Members of the ESP unit lined Main Street for informational picketing before the meeting. Read more at mea.org/ support-staff-picket-lapeer.

ICYMI

The number of Black teachers in Michigan dropped

dramatically from 2005-2015—exceeding declines in the K-12 Black student population and overall drops in the teacher workforce, according to a new study from Michigan State University: “Deurbanization and the Struggle to Sustain a Black Teaching Corps: Evidence From Michigan.” The study cites “a national context of deurbanization” of K-12 students away from districts with the largest faculties of color to suburban districts with largely white teaching workforces. “Districts receiving large numbers of incoming Black students hired few Black teachers over the period, leading to marked declines in Black student exposure to Black educators, and Black employment gains since 2016 have generally been in areas where Black teachers were already employed,” the study found. Much research has shown that improving teacher diversity helps all students, but students of color especially benefit in terms of achievement and graduation rates from seeing themselves reflected at the front of the classroom.

Above and Beyond

This fall two MEA-member state Teachers of the Year were honored at the White House together to make up for two canceled ceremonies last spring and the year before due to COVID. Cara Lougheed and Owen Bondono, Michigan’s top teachers from 2019-2021, made the trek in October along with other state TOYs. “It was very surreal to be in the White House both as somebody who is a patriot and proud of the country that I come from, and also as a political activist,” said Bondono, an Oak Park English teacher. “The core of what I do—both in my activism and in my classroom—is trying to fundamentally improve the world we live in, including our country.” With a teacher in the White House—the first lady—the trip was extra special, said Lougheed, an English and history teacher in Rochester. “This is my 24th year as a teacher, so having Dr. Jill Biden still actively teaching while she’s in the White House just means a lot to me.” Bondono and Lougheed discussed education policy with key congressional leaders from Michigan. Read the full story at mea.org/mtoy-visit-white-house.

QUOTABLES

“MEA stands with three strong leaders who have shown unwavering commitment to Michigan’s students and educators. Re-electing friends of public education—and electing more allies to lawmaking positions—is essential to fulfilling the promise of public education for every student.”

MEA President Paula

Herbart on the unanimous vote by MEA’s Screening & Recommendations Committee to continue recommendations of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel for re-election in 2022. Read more about the candidate interviews on page 17, and learn what Herbart has heard on listening stops across the state on page 13.

UPCOMING EVENTS

February 3-4

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 2

Read Across America

Nationwide

Educators across the country will be “Celebrating a Nation of Diverse Readers.” Visit nea.org/readacross to order a free classroom calendar and access activities for all year long.

March 18-19

ESP Statewide 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. March 19 (Rescheduled) MEA Conference for Aspiring and Early Career Educators

VIRTUAL Aspiring and early career educators will gather to network and train on topics such as classsroom management, high-leverage best practices, legal issues, work-life balance, and union involvement. As details are available, learn more and register for MEA conferences at mea.org/conferences.

Nominations sought for ESP Caucus Executive Board

Nominations are being accepted for several positions on the MEA ESP Caucus Executive Board.

Open positions are as follows:

ESP AT LARGE:

Two (2) positions

DIRECTOR BY CLASSIFICATION:

One (1) position each Transportation Custodial Sept. 1, 2022 to Aug. 31, 2025

Sept. 1, 2022 to Aug. 31, 2025 Sept. 1, 2022 to Aug. 31, 2025

Maintenance

Sept. 1, 2022 to Aug. 31, 2025 Director of Minority Concerns Sept. 1, 2022 to Aug. 31, 2025 Office Personnel Immediate to Aug. 31, 2024

Paraprofessional Immediate to Aug. 31, 2024

Elections to the ESP Caucus Executive Board will take place at the MEA Representative Assembly April 22-23, 2022.

Information needed for each candidate includes: name, present occupation, local ESP association, school district, home address, home and work telephone numbers, home email address, name of nominee’s local ESP association and written consent of the candidate running for office.

Candidates must be members in good standing of MEA/NEA. In order to receive delegate mailing labels, information must be received no later than Feb. 22, 2022 and should be mailed to: Michele Harrison, MEA/ESP Department, PO Box 2573, 1216 Kendale Blvd., East Lansing, MI 48826-2573, or it can be sent via email to mharrison@mea.org.

Additional nominations will be accepted from the floor at the MEA/ESP Caucus meeting on Friday, April 22, 2022. Candidates will be given up to three minutes to address delegates.

A table will be provided outside the ESP Caucus meeting where candidates may place a brief biographical sketch for distribution before the meeting starts. Questions should be directed to Jim Sparapani, ESP Caucus Elections Chairperson, at 906-779-1984 or via email to jsparapani@att.net.