TEACHER CREATES CODE WARRIORS Page 6 MEA VOTING GUIDE Page 17 SURVEY: EDUCATORS DEMORALIZED Page 23

How this election could ruin public education (if we let it) October 2016 | Vol. 94 | Issue 1 | www.mea.org LETTER TO MEMBERS The Time is Now

Supporters of public education won’t divert $20 billion of public funds to private schools and for-profit char- soon see another chance like this. ters. He labeled the entire American system of public education a “failed Next month, we can go all in. We • Best financial practices means government-run monopoly.” can let our votes speak for our hearts. defunding schools to force You have witnessed the damage We can unite in a single action to districts into cutting salaries and wrought by the corporate movement save our schools by electing leaders pushing huge annual health care to take over our schools. Thousands who understand and value the trans- cost increases onto the shoulders of you made that clear in a recent formative power of public education. of school employees. open survey of our membership we Inside this issue of the magazine, • Accountability means burden- jointly conducted with AFT . you will find the MEA voting guide some over-testing of students and The level of response to the survey with our recommendations for can- judging schools and teachers on a was unprecedented. The results were didates up and down the November single test score instead of encour- clear. Our membership in both K-12 ballot who understand the urgent aging a rich curriculum and broad and higher education is stressed to need to right the ship of public edu- array of programs and services. the breaking point by hostile state cation. Now it’s up to you. and federal policies that are destroy- Education does not often rise to The disinformation campaign be- ing public education in Michigan. the top of election-year issues in the gan 20 years ago with the rebranding media. At the same time, anti-public of public education as “failing,” No education forces speak in euphe- Child Left Behind, and the scape- “Having Kindergarten misms to disguise their true inten- goating of all the committed individ- students take part in tions. We have to reject these cynical uals in our schools who’ve dedicated ploys and urge our friends and family their lives to improving the lives and multiple standardized to see through the veneer as well: futures of young people. tests throughout the • Choice means draining public Our choice for president, Hillary funds from community schools to Clinton, has been fighting for chil- year and pushing them private and for-profit vendors. dren and families all her life, and to read before they are • Hiring flexibility means de- she’s vowed to support strong unions ready, is not what is best professionalizing educators by and give educators a seat at the table. favoring uncertified, unqualified In contrast, Republican candidate for the students.” replacements. Donald Trump falls firmly in the —Anonymous survey response • School reform means closing corporate “reform” camp. buildings that serve vulnerable Trump revealed his position during populations rather than fully a visit to a low-performing Ohio char- Look for our full report on the sur- funding and supporting them. ter school, where he said he would vey results beginning on page 23 of this issue, and take some time to read our coverage of what’s at stake in this election throughout the magazine. Enjoy the stories of our members’ successes and dedication. Dog-ear the voting guide. Then mark your calendars for Nov. 8. 

Steven B. Cook Nancy L. Strachan Richard S. Trainor President Vice President Secretary-Treasurer

2 OCTOBER 2016 4 Editor’s Notebook Introducing the new MEA Voice 14 Member Voices An ESP leader asks you to believe 16 Downballot Races Help public education go all the way 17 MEA Election Guide Election picks from members like you 18 State House Races Close races show every vote matters 20 Clinton Report Card Our pick is a champion for children 21 Trump Report Card 6—MEMBERS AT WORK: Kalamazoo teacher Shannon Houtrouw was coding A vocal supporter of privatization before it was cool—and now he’s bringing both girls and boys on board. 23 Member Survey An outpouring of member frustration 27 MEA Region Elections Rules and open leadership seats

Cover art concept by Rachel Beyer.

Executive Director ��������������Gretchen Dziadosz Director of Public Affairs ����������������� Doug Pratt Editor ���������������������������������������� Brenda Ortega 4—NEWS & NOTES: Two Holly teachers Staff Photographer �������������������� Miriam Garcia spent two years building a bike trail on Publications Specialist ������������� Shantell Crispin school property. 8—COVER STORY: Imagine what the world would look like if MEA disappeared tomorrow. 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 September, December, February, April and August. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the MEA Voice, Box 2573, East Lansing, MI 48826-2573 or via email at [email protected]. Allow at least three — : Learn about the forces — : How this weeks for change of address to take effect. 10 COVER STORY 32 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT aligned against us in the struggle to professor reaches struggling readers MEA Voice telephone: 517-332-6551 or shape education policy. and underserved students. 800-292-1934. Circulation this issue: 127,062.

MEA VOICE 3 NEWS & NOTES Editor’s Notebook Welcome to the new MEA Voice. Our redesign of MEA’s flagship publication brings you the best stories you’ve come to expect—in an updated format on more attractive, cost-effective paper that maintains a makeup of 10 percent post-consumer recycled material. Look for more news that matters, more 30% Percentage decline in Michigan’s stories that resonate, and more member voices that deserve to be heard. On higher education funding since 2002, that note, I’d like to ask a favor: Add your voice! Send me ideas for stories leading to a more than doubling of about issues, or features about members at work, or opinion pieces you’d like tuition at state public universities since to write, by emailing me at [email protected]. then—and average student debt loads —Brenda Ortega, Editor now among the worst in the nation.

Above and Beyond “There is no data that shows that Holly Education Association mem- moving a child from one school bers Josh McCreedy and Michael Rapin have spent more than 1,000 to another school against their hours over the past two years clear- ing trees with axes and building small wooden bridges to create choice has any positive impact a community bike trail in wooded district-owned property behind on student achievement. Quite Holly High School. The two teachers wanted to provide outdoor learning frankly, it has a negative impact opportunities for students, as well as an accessible place for the entire on the children.” community to participate in physical activities and enjoy the outdoors. Chris Wigent, executive director of the Michigan Association of School Student groups helped with con- Administrators, on the ongoing battle over threats by Gov. Rick Snyder’s struction of the 3.12-mile trail, which administration to close some schools by next June, based on test contains multiple loops for various scores that districts were promised would not be used for accountability biking skill levels. A dedication purposes until 2018 at the earliest. ceremony was slated for Oct. 7.

“SCHOOLS SHOULD BE A PLACE WHERE YOU WANT TO GO AND LEARN, NOT A PLACE TO FEAR.” Corey Maison, a New Baltimore transgender 15-year-old, quoted in the Free Press following the State Board of Education’s recent 6-2 adoption of a set of optional guidelines Michigan schools can use to protect the safety of LGBTQ students. The guidelines suggest allowing students to use restrooms based on their gender identity and ensuring staff are trained to address issues facing such students. Studies show LGBTQ youth are more likely to be bullied and to commit self-harm.

4 OCTOBER 2016 ICYMI The Economic Policy Institute recently analyzed the wages of educators relative to other workers and found that the penalty teachers endure for their career choice has become more severe over the past 20 years. “In order to recruit and retain talented teachers, school districts should be paying them more than their peers,” said Lawrence Mishel, co- author of ‘The Teacher Pay Gap is Wider Than Ever.’”

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 8—MEA Fall October 21—Higher Education Representative Assembly Bargaining Conference Lansing Center, Lansing MEA Headquarters, East Lansing The Representative Assembly (RA) is Sessions include such topics as the the legislative body that conducts the trends in online learning, intellectual business of MEA. The group meets property, higher education funding, twice a year, in the fall and spring. member engagement, and bargain- Delegates to the RA are elected by ing—to help higher education leaders mcfn.org local associations. strengthen their local associations. October 8—Commissions/ February 2-3—Bargaining, Committees/Task Forces (CCTF) Public Affairs & Professional Follow the Money Lansing Center, Lansing Development Conference The MEA CCTFs advise the MEA Cobo Center, Detroit Learn who’s funding elected Board of Directors on assigned topics. MEA’s biggest conference of the year officials with a new donor Membership on a commission is by provides updated information and tracking tool from Michigan election at the RA or by appointment sharpens members’ skills in advocacy, of the MEA vice president with consent Campaign Finance Network. communications, member engage- from the board. Go to mcfn.org and click on ment, negotiations, political action, and professional development.  following the money.

MEA VOICE 5 MEMBERS AT WORK Kalamazoo Teacher Creates Student ‘Code Warriors’

By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor

MEA member Shannon Houtrouw on to study at some of the most pres- private industry. was coding before it was cool. tigious universities in the country, in- “I didn’t know anything about Last January, when President cluding MIT, Stanford, Harvard, Yale, computers, except for a typing class I Barack Obama unveiled a $4 billion Brown, and Caltech. They pursue CS took once,” said senior Ava Wood, a “Computer Science (CS) for All” ini- and engineering degrees at Michi- student in Houtrouw’s third-year AP tiative in his final State of the Union gan, Michigan State, Western, Hope, CS class who is considering major- address, Houtrouw was already way and Kalamazoo College. ing in the field in college. “I basically ahead of the game. And they chase other dreams in was forced to take his class, and that’s A former professor and software medicine, or art, or biology—trans- when I found out I liked it.” systems engineer, the Kalamazoo formed by the critical thinking and Houtrouw motivates the majority Area Math and Science Center (KA- problem-solving skills they master of young women at KAMSC to apply MSC) instructor began transforming when they learn how to tell comput- to take his upper-level classes, though computer courses into hands-on cod- ers what to do. he can only accept half of students— ing and computer science opportuni- “The task is not just to get them to male or female—who want a seat. ties nearly 20 years ago. code but to get them to think,” Hou- Nearly 100 percent of Houtrouw’s Since then he’s built a groundbreak- trouw said. “They can use these tools students take the AP CS exam, and ing program of introductory classes in whatever field they decide to pursue all but a handful have passed it. and AP electives at KAMSC always in their lives. It’s a big door opener.” A secret to his success with all stu- half-filled—or more—with female Houtrouw hooks students when dents is turning the work of problem students, who are typically under-rep- they’re required to take his sopho- solving into competition—in his resented in CS classes and careers. more CS class at KAMSC, a 30-year- classroom and in formal tournaments “They come in scared to death, old math and science half-day mag- at the regional, national, and inter- certain they’ll be the one who won’t net serving 300 qualifying students national levels. The hardest working be able to do it, and I try to convince from all over Kalamazoo County. students win “Code Warrior” status them otherwise,” Houtrouw said. The four-year school is administered with a t-shirt to match. Convince he does. by Kalamazoo Public Schools and “Competition gives them more His alumni, male and female, go receives resources and counsel from motivation to study harder and work together better, and it’s just fun,” he said, likening it to Tom Sawyer con- vincing all those boys to whitewash the fence. Hanging from the ceiling in his fourth-floor classroom are different- colored t-shirts with CS puns printed across the front (“Straight Outta CompSci” and “Every Bit Counts”). Plaques and awards cover the walls,

Kalamazoo’s Shannon Houtrouw has twice taken all-girl teams to the MSU High School Programming Contest that is typically dominated by boys. In 2014 his ladies-only team won the champi- onship, and in 2016 his all-girls teams took second and third place spots.

6 OCTOBER 2016 in Computer Science and Spanish. “Because he believed I could, I did it, and it has changed my life,” she said. One strategy he’s discovered is to directly attack the barriers standing between girls and CS, which include the stereotypes they believe and the intimidation they feel. Houtrouw enlists junior and senior girls to talk with the younger ones. Junior Isabel Hernandez said talking with older girls who were competing and winning made the difference. “I was extremely intimi- dated,” said Hernandez, a student in Houtrouw discusses problem-solving approaches with his AP Computer Science Houtrouw’s AP class this year. “But class, while junior Siddhant Pagariya checks his work. Houtrouw uses competition to once you get to know them, you real- turn hard work into fun. ize, ‘I can be them.’” Houtrouw works tirelessly to bust the myth that girls can’t code as well interspersed with team photos of achieve at the highest levels in high as boys, an effort that led him two smiling, confident students wearing school and then aspire to a career in years ago to deliberately take a girls- the shirts. an industry where only one-third of only team of 17 students to a co-ed One of those students is Vaughn technical employees are women. high school programming contest at Taylor, a senior who won a Google He credits a Tapestry Workshop MSU typically dominated by boys. Chromebook for his tournament- in Lansing, where he shared trade His all-female team not only won high individual math score at an secrets on how to attract and retain the championship but they “de- international American Computer women and minorities in CS classes, stroyed” the competition, he said— Science League (ACSL) competition with introducing him to the National solving the first of five challenge last spring in New Hampshire. Center for Women in Technology problems just 13 minutes into the “I don’t think there’s enough ex- (NCWIT). The rest is history. three-hour time limit. They complet- posure to computer science,” Taylor In the past four years, six young ed four of the problems before the said. “It’s the direction the world women from Michigan have been other teams had finished one or two. is going, and I’m really thankful to among 35 girls nationwide to receive “That was fun,” he said. have this opportunity.” National Aspirations in Computing For his work promoting the value Houtrouw has accumulated a awards annually from NCWIT—five and talents of women, Houtrouw was startlingly impressive record in tour- of whom were Houtrouw’s KAMSC honored with the 2016 MEA Gender naments, even though he has been students. Another 23 of his female Equity Award, adding to a lengthy list known to bring as many as 60 kids to students were runners-up in that time. of honors he’s received, including 40 compete in multiple teams of three to “No school in the country can Significant Educator Awards, selected five where it was allowed—in contrast touch that,” according to Houtrouw’s by students; the NCWIT Aspirations to many schools that send only a colleague at KAMSC, physics and in Computing Award; and a Coca- handful of top students to compete. math instructor Michael Sinclair. Cola Scholars Foundation Educator The awards are too many to list, The 2013 national winner, Reinie of Distinction Award. but highlights include a first-place Thomas, was one of only six girls who Last year, he was one of five win in the toughest category of the could be convinced to take Houtrow’s Michigan finalists for the Presidential ACSL International All-Star Invita- AP CS class in 2012. A four-sport Award for Excellence in Mathematics tional in Denver two years ago, and athlete awarded 11 varsity letters and Science Teaching. sweeps of a state contest at Saginaw during high school, Thomas said she “When students graduate and write Valley State University in five of the thought CS was for nerds and boys, back and say ‘You made a difference,’ last six years. and she had no interest. it makes you want to come back and Perhaps most dramatic has been Now she’s a pre-med senior at teach again,” Houtrouw said. “I love his track record of mentoring girls to Hope College, double-majoring my job.” 

MEA VOICE 7 COVER STORY

Four years ago, some pundits were But the story isn’t over, and our foes are not finished. writing our obituary. Given single-party rule for the past several years, Michigan Anti-union, anti-public education true, but it’s not for our oppo- Republican leaders have continued forces had succeeded in passing nents’ lack of trying. They’ve failed to erode school funding, dismantle so-called “right-to-work” legislation because of you. You haven’t fallen teacher autonomy and professional- they hoped would weaken our resolve for the ruse. You aren’t buying what ism, and strip away employee rights. to fight, shred our bonds of unity, and our enemies are selling. Take a look into their crystal ball, silence our voices on every aspect of You remain an MEA member. and see what they see. Think things educational policy. You know public schools have are bad now? Imagine the educa- In the crystal ball they hopefully been the engine of a great nation for tional landscape without MEA in it. looked into, MEA was dead—and decades. You believe in extending Larger class sizes. More du- the future of education was as opportunities to all kids. And you see ties. Lower pay. Reduced benefits. vulnerable to hostile takeover as the the teachers and support staff who Arbitrary dismissals. No voice.  ruby slippers on Dorothy asleep in a fight every day to do what’s right for field of poppies in The Wizard of Oz. kids despite the political headwinds Stories by Brenda Ortega Those dreams have not come opposing their best efforts. MEA Voice Editor

8 OCTOBER 2016 You Don’t Know What You’ve Got Till It’s Gone

Harvey Miller doesn’t have to close his eyes and imagine a world new job requirements would pop up, with no MEA. He lived there once upon a time. like in the decades before bargain- ing when a superintendent could And he’ll tell you it wasn’t a happy cates” who would like nothing better mandate employees to do community place for school employees, who than to eliminate MEA and reshape service during off-hours and write a could be fired at any time for no public education in the corporate im- report on it, Foster said. reason—even simply to make room age. So what would a post-MEA world “We used to have to earn brownie for the superintendent’s wife to take look like? points with him, and that was part of a teaching job or for his nephew to “It would be the end of duty-free earning your salary,” she said. supplant a custodian. lunches,” said Miller, a longtime Studies reveal in states with weak “That’s the first thing the other MEA activist who finished his educa- education unions, the erosion of side wants to do if they win—make tion career serving eight years as school employees’ right to bargain sure everyone is an at-will employee,” an administrator—five as a super- reduces pay and benefits, and the loss said Miller, who worked as a teacher intendent. “You could expect to be of a professional voice to speak out for 30 years in Pine River, south of supervising on the playground or in on education policy suppresses educa- Cadillac, beginning in 1958—back the lunchroom instead.” when MEA was “a tea and crumpets Class sizes could rise without society,” he added. contractual limits built in, said Judy The “other side” Miller referred to Foster, president of MEA-Retired The Mackinac Center for Public describes self-anointed “reform advo- and a 33-year veteran teacher. Then Policy and its allies want to get rid of MEA. This message (left) from a leaked email exchange makes that clear. In the emails between Mackinac Center staffers and then House Education Committee Chair Rep. Tom McMillin (R-Rochester Hills), the “no more MEA” comment comes amid a conversation about Public Act 152, a Mackinac Center-pushed law that has led to skyrocketing health care costs for school employees. Turn the page to UNDERSTAND WHAT WE’RE UP AGAINST.

MEA VOICE 9 COVER STORY

tor leadership and autonomy, driving unionism and SAT/ACT scores— and working conditions—fought good people out of the profession. most likely due to improvements for and won by union activism in Research released by Wellesley unions achieve in working condi- 1965 legislation known as the Public College last October found that tions; employee autonomy, security, Employee Relations Act (PERA), said weakening unionism and collective and dignity; educator training and Kay Walker, a former Traverse City bargaining “reduces teacher quality, professionalism; and administration, English teacher who now serves as as it decreases teacher salary, dimin- the authors noted. vice-president of MEA-Retired. ishing districts’ incentives to dismiss Ultimately? The destruction of Walker started out as a young low-quality teachers and encouraging MEA would harm students and dam- teacher surrounded by veterans who high-quality teachers to leave the age school performance. had lived the struggle. They told her teaching sector.” the stories of hard times and walking Other research, including a BARGAINING picket lines, building coalitions, lob- study published in Harvard Educa- Young people entering the profes- bying legislators, and refusing to give tional Review, found a “significantly sion don’t remember a time without up, she said. positive” relationship between strong the right to bargain salaries, benefits, “What’s going on in the world Understand What We Are Up Against

The Mackinac Center for Public MEA Researcher Greg Steimel to legislators. It develops model legisla- Policy is a name that might sound educate school employees about the tion showing how to replace public familiar. It’s the organization re- money and ideology behind seismic schools with charters and vouchers, sponsible for the annual advertising rightward shifts in Michigan politics how to get rid of unions, how to get and email blitz encouraging MEA over the past several years. rid of teacher certification, how to get members to opt out of the union. At a recent presentation in Gi- rid of teacher tenure.” The motives of this supposed braltar, she told the crowd of MEA The Mackinac Center has enjoyed “independent think tank” are not members: “Your ability to bargain success under Gov. Rick Snyder and altruistic. Its stated goal is to get rid collectively is a creature of statute, the current legislative leadership, ac- of MEA and clear a path for the cor- and the Mackinac Center has clearly complishing its goals to pass so-called porations and billionaires who fund laid out an agenda to eliminate that “right to work” legislation, in addi- the center to achieve another stated right. That is what we’re up against.” tion to the law granting emergency goal: eliminating public education in The Mackinac Center is the largest managers greater power in the take- favor of vouchers and privately man- of a web of right-wing organizations over of local cities and school boards, aged schools. nationwide that comprise the SPN. and Public Act 152 of 2011—forcing To understand what public school Funded through tax-deductible con- school employees to shoulder the employees are up against in the tributions from billionaires and cor- burden of health care cost increases. battle to shape education policy, it’s porations—such as the DeVos family, The center has also become more important to recognize the forces the Koch brothers, the Walton family, direct about its ultimate goal: priva- aligned on the other side, in particu- and ExxonMobil—the Mackinac tizing public education. lar the Mackinac Center, the State Center writes anti-worker legislation Former board member and Policy Network (SPN) it belongs promoted nationwide by ALEC. founder D. Joseph Olson told the to, and the American Legislative Education historian Diane Ravitch, Livingston Daily in 2011 he doesn’t Exchange Council (ALEC) supported a former U.S. Assistant Secretary of believe government should be in- by the SPN. Education under President George volved in education. And Mackinac “They have a lot to gain by getting H.W. Bush, describes ALEC as “an Center adjunct scholar Gary Wolfram us to have fewer and fewer mem- extremist organization that is funded told the independent news service bers,” said MEA Lobbyist Christina by major corporations and has MIRS in 2013, “Public schools should Canfield, who has joined forces with 2,000 members who are mostly state be privatized.”

10 OCTOBER 2016 shapes who you are,” Walker said, started her career 49 years ago mak- pointing out that younger members ing $6,000 a year, “and my friends are no longer routinely exposed to were graduating from college with en- the generation of teachers who paved gineering degrees, making $22,000. the path for those who followed. They thought I was pretty stupid.” When everyone negotiated salaries Collective bargaining not only individually rather than collectively, increases pay and benefits, it defines men often made more money than school employees’ responsibili- women doing the same work. Ben- ties and guarantees prep time and efits such as retirement, health care, reasonable workloads—all of which and sick/personal/maternity leave would disappear without a healthy didn’t exist. and united MEA membership to Penny Letts remembers. The press for it. former middle school math teacher “Those rights weren’t just handed from Huron County’s Harbor Beach over by the Legislature and school I consider it important, indeed urgently boards,” said MEA President Steven necessary, for intellectual workers to Cook. “They had to be fought for, get together, both to protect their own they had to be won.” economic status and also, generally speaking, to secure their influence in PROTECTION the political field… Indeed, it is the proper task to defend academic free- Get rid of MEA, and job protec- Understand What We Are Up Against dom, without which a healthy develop- tions go with it. ment of democracy is impossible. “Teachers could not get a mort- The Center continues to push for gage before the Tenure Act came in, Albert Einstein Founding member of AFT Local 552 legislation to close the school retire- because they could so easily be fired Princeton University ment system and ban public sector on a whim,” Letts said. collective bargaining by repealing Pregnancy. A single complaint the Public Employee Relations Act. from a parent. A personality conflict Kelly LaButte, vice-president of with an administrator. All could be the local EA in Gibraltar, said she cause for dismissal without MEA’s job wants teachers and other school protection—easily the most misun- employees to know what’s going derstood aspect of the union’s work. on, so they understand the impor- According to popular myth, teach- tance of work the MEA is doing to ers unions protect bad teachers. In fight back. reality, union representatives simply “I know the members are frus- ensure that proper procedures are trated that now we can’t bargain for followed in evaluations, discipline, things we’ve always bargained, and placements, and dismissals—and I think a lot of the time we point pursue remedies if they are not. our fingers at the wrong people,” Educators think they’ll never need LaButte said. “If we get together, the union’s protection until they do, we can fight. If we keep the union said Kalamazoo Education Associa- strong, we can get our rights back.” tion President Amanda Miller. Many MEA Researcher Steimel said vot- times it’s the individual most power- ing for candidates who don’t sup- fully advocating for students who is We’re training people to lead, not just port public education strengthens seen as a threat by an administrator, belong, and they’re realizing if we use the hand of the center and its allies. she said. a collective voice we can move toward “Quitting the union helps them “I have people all the time say ‘I better education for kids. even more,” Steimel said. “So vote can’t believe this is happening to Amanda Miller like your future depends on it, me; I’ve been working here 15 years Kalamazoo Education Association because it does.”  with no problems, and I don’t know President where to go for help.’ The union

MEA VOICE 11 COVER STORY

What Goes Up and What Comes Down In States with Weak Teacher Unions?

 Class sizes  Salaries and benefits

 Job requirements  Teacher quality

 Teacher attrition  Student test scores

 Drop-out rates  State K-12 funding

What keeps me going is the underly- ing belief that we’re doing some of the most vital work for American democracy. is where you go. We have your best battle to force the return of $550 Gretchen Dziadosz interests at heart.” million taken from school employees’ MEA Executive Director Support staff are not immune paychecks. to arbitrary firings either, but they No MEA? No justice. would be left to battle alone if MEA “You’ve got rights, but they’re no went away. good if you can’t enforce them, and If a supervisor were to issue a that takes money, that takes lawyers, command that crossed the bounds of that takes legal action,” President safe practices, “Without the union to Cook said. protect us, the minute we say ‘No,’ With no MEA, the so-called 3 per- we’re gone—out the door,” said Drew cent case would never have been filed Campbell, a custodian in Waterford in 2010. The courts would not have and president of the ESP Caucus. ruled three times in favor of school Support staff have faced privatiza- employees who had money unilater- tion threats for some time, but that ally taken from their paychecks to would be the norm for all school fund retiree health care—a benefit employees without MEA, added they were not guaranteed to receive. Campbell, who serves on a member- No one would be left to wage the led team that helps locals beat back legal battle before the state Supreme efforts to replace loyal employees Court six years later. with lower-paid, more transient “An individual teacher could not workers contracted through for- afford a six-year legal battle, but Privatization hurts the economy. profit companies. because we’re unified in an associa- Eighty percent of people whose “Public education would disap- tion, we have the resources to file a jobs are being privatized live in the communities where they work. And pear,” he said. “Corporate America statewide lawsuit,” said MEA Execu- we’ve got all the local mom and pop would have a field day cashing in. tive Director Gretchen Dziadosz. businesses saying, ‘We don’t want a Educational unions are the only thing “And it’s not only MEA, but the middleman taking money out of the standing in the way.” NEA nationally, that helps us out,” community.’ Most of these companies Cook added. “It’s a coalition with the are from overseas, taking money out LEGAL American Federation of Teachers, of the country. We have to wake up Just in the past several weeks, too. It’s a team effort.” and face facts and vote for MEA- MEA filed an amicus brief against recommended candidates. the state’s plan to funnel $2.5 mil- ADVOCACY Drew Campbell lion to private schools in violation of MEA’s “Ask Me” ads on television ESP Caucus President the state constitution and to uphold and social media, promoting school lower court rulings in the ongoing employees as education experts

12 OCTOBER 2016 who need to be part of policymak- in recent years. State K-12 funding ing, have been a highly visible and cuts, right to work, unlimited for- successful campaign to influence profit charter schools, hard caps on public attitudes. health care premiums, over-testing, Often, however, the work that’s and weakened tenure rights for se- done to claim a seat at the table for nior employees. school employees is behind-the- “They see those bad things that scenes action fighting for the dignity have happened, but they don’t see and professionalism of members to the 10 terrible things we were able to be able to do what’s best for students. stop,” Dziadosz said. It’s lobbying a Republican legisla- The current Republican leadership tor who doesn’t want publicity around has shown its hand since taking con- his decision to cast a swing vote on trol of all three branches of govern- MEA’s side. It’s organizing members ment in Michigan six years ago, says to use their expertise to weigh in on Al Beamish, a retired teacher and What is lost can be regained. The important decisions, or protest if MEA board member for 34 years. fight is never over. That is why we necessary. It’s issuing communica- They do not support public educa- have to vote, and we have to vote in tions to advance the position of school tion or school employees, he said. the best interest of public education employees in the public arena. “I’m hopeful there will be a as our single issue. “This is the one people don’t renaissance soon, but we need to Steven Cook see a lot, because we’re working to change the political scene quickly,” MEA President influence educational policy in a way Beamish added. that’s often invisible and has to be Meanwhile, Kalamazoo’s Amanda invisible by its nature,” Dziadosz said. Miller believes the struggles of the MEA lobbyists solicit member last few years have only made MEA expertise on proposed new laws stronger. or regulations and then quietly, “When things got bad, people real- persistently work at persuading ized they had to start organizing,” lawmakers to kill bad legislation, if she said. “They realized to get what possible, or at least make changes we want, we have to stick together. I that will reduce the harm inflicted by think it’s actually making us better.” ill-informed policies. In other words, to borrow from What people see, however, are the Mark Twain, reports of MEA’s death setbacks suffered by public education have been greatly exaggerated. 

DID YOU KNOW?

A 2015 study showed—contrary to popular myth—teachers Our strength comes from as many unions do not protect “bad” teachers from being fired and people being united as possible and getting involved in political action in thereby reduce the quality of the teacher workforce. In their local communities. reality, school districts in states with strong education unions Harvey Miller are more likely to fire low-quality teachers, motivated by MEA-Retired past president tenure and higher wages to weed out ineffective educators early—and in the process union strength improves overall teacher quality in a state, according to the study by Wellesley College Economics Professor Eunice S. Han.

MEA VOICE 13 MEMBER VOICES Just Hear Me Out—and Try to Believe

By Rhonda Sturgeon ESP president Meridian Public Schools

I’m writing this column to ask mately get heard in Washington and can’t complain about the outcome. something of you that might seem Lansing. I joined the picket lines last You’ve seen the outcome of Repub- difficult. I’m going to ask you to summer to protest the unfair 3 per- licans running the show in Lansing, believe. So before I start, let me share cent court challenges by the state. so I’m asking you to believe in some- some of my beliefs with you. And I believe in voting. thing else. Believe the MEA voting I believe my job as a paraeduca- That’s what I’m asking of you, too. recommendations are a road map to tor in Meridian Public Schools can I know it’s difficult. electing the people who will support change the world. I work with at-risk I hear it all the time. “My vote public education—from the state students in the morning and cogni- doesn’t matter. I’m just the little guy. House up to the White House. tively impaired children in the after- Nothing I do can make a difference.” Believe Donald Trump when he noon. I live to see the smiles on their But you have to believe in the power says he’s going to take our tax money faces when they learn something new of casting a ballot, because if you don’t and give it over to private schools and realize they can do more than then your vote truly won’t matter. and corporations. And believe it they thought they could. I have three kids of my own. One when Hillary Clinton promises to I believe in MEA. I work hard and of them, my daughter, recently give us the funding to make our com- deserve a fair wage. And I greatly volunteered in a challenge softball munity schools the best they can be. value the fact that as union members league for special education kids. The fact is, at this point in time, if we can advocate for the training and She knows serving as a buddy field- you vote against your own interests as work conditions we need to do our ing grounders or running the bases a public school employee, it’s a vote jobs as paraeducators, food service can make a difference in the world— for getting rid of the union, privatiz- workers, bus drivers, custodians, and one child at a time. ing staff, and replacing public schools grounds and maintenance employees. It’s the same with elections. It’s a with charters. Period. I believe in democracy. I want to chance to make a difference. Two of We’re in this together, now let’s have a voice in what’s happening in my kids are old enough to vote, and stand together. That’s what a union is the world, to be involved in some- they know from me telling them all all about.  thing greater than myself and ulti- these years that if you don’t vote, you

14 OCTOBER 2016 Early detection is key for surviving breast cancer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and it’s a good time for women over 40 to sched- ule a mammogram. About 7,660 Michigan women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Ser- vices. Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among Michigan women, according to state officials, who estimate that 1,410 female Michiganders will die of the disease this year. Early detection is critical to surviving breast cancer. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that women 50 and older get a mammogram every two years. Women between ages 40-50 should talk to their doctor about the need for an early screening mammo- gram, according to the CDC. In addition, state health officials recommend women ages 20 and older get a clinical breast exam at least every three years. 

MESSA members receive free annual mammograms MESSA members and their dependents don’t have to pay a dime out of pocket to receive a breast exam from an in-network provider as part of their free annual health maintenance exam. Members can also receive one preventive mammogram per year with no out-of-pocket cost when seeing an in-network provider. (Please note that “experimental” mammograms are not covered; call MESSA’s Member Service Center at 800.336.0013 to find out which types of mammograms are covered.) Additional mammograms are subject to your plan’s deductible. In the event of a cancer diagnosis, MESSA helps members address their challenges. In addition to excellent coverage for cancer-related treatment, pre- scriptions and prosthetics, MESSA’s Medical Case Management program can provide personal support from a registered nurse. MESSA members can enroll in the program by calling 800.441.4626 during normal business hours. 

MEA VOICE 15 ELECTION GUIDE State Board, other downballot statewide races critical

When Republicans passed a law hooks into those institutions.” lic dollars away from existing schools.” banning straight-party voting, Austin has served 16 years on the Ahmed views this election as “a their intention was clear—try to defeat State Board, the last six as president. real fight for the heart and soul of pro-public education Democratic ma- Prior president Kathleen Strauss is America, and it’s not just going to be jorities on the four education boards retiring after 24 years of service, with decided by who we choose for presi- elected at a statewide level. “Ish” Ahmed earning the Democratic dent. Certainly that is important, but While a lawsuit has blocked the nomination to take her place. it depends on who we elect at the local straight-party ban from going into Austin and Ahmed earned recom- level in education and other areas.” effect for this election, that’s not stop- mendations from MEA’s Statewide A former director of the Michigan ping candidates like John Austin and Screening and Recommendation Department of Human Services and Ismael Ahmed from fighting hard for (S&R) Committee, made up of son of a union auto worker, Ahmed seats on the State Board of Education. members from across the state who understands the struggles educators On the State Board, Democrats interviewed the candidates. face because his wife shares them as hold a 6-2 advantage, which Board Austin would rebuild Michigan’s a teacher. She buys supplies with her President Austin says has enabled brand as the Education State by own money, works late into the night, them to push back against a right- restoring public education funding and visits families of her students—as wing legislative agenda that would after years of cuts and changing how so many dedicated educators do. deny climate change and evolution in the state spends education money to Yet those hard-working school the science classroom and deny equal close achievement gaps and promote employees don’t receive the respect opportunity for all students, regard- postsecondary opportunities for all. or the compensation they deserve, less of zip code, gender, or ethnicity. “We need to be putting more dol- Ahmed said. Instead they face school “We need to stand strong with down- lars behind kids who have further to takeovers and top-down mandates ballot candidates, because there’s a ton travel because of poverty and other that limit their decision-making and at stake in this election,” Austin said. special needs,” said Austin. “And creativity in the classroom. “The fact is, Democrats do control the we can’t allow for-profit education “On top of the difficult work of State Board of Education and the three vendors to keep opening new charters teaching, they also have the problem university boards, and the Republicans and virtual schools that don’t educate of people at the top making it near-to- are trying desperately to get their kids and do nothing but syphon pub- impossible to do their jobs,” he said. 

TWO SEATS EACH ON MSU, U-M, VOTE ALL THE WAY DOWN BALLOT WAYNE STATE BOARDS ON BALLOT FOR NON-PARTISAN RACES

Cuts to higher education and student financial aid, Whether you’re voting for individual candidates or which have fueled tuition hikes and student debt in Michi- straight party, every voter needs to remember to go to gan, must be reversed to build a healthy future. That’s a the non-partisan section of the ballot to complete voting belief shared by all of MEA’s recommended candidates for in judicial and other important races. These races are the Michigan State University, University of Michigan and critical—just ask any school employee waiting for their Wayne State University boards. 3 percent—and straight party votes at the top of the ballot For the MSU Board of Trustees, incumbents Dianne don’t count in these non-partisan races. Byrum and Diann Woodard received continuing recom- That’s a message being carried statewide by MEA’s rec- mendations from MEA, as did U-M Board of Regents ommended candidates for the Michigan Supreme Court— incumbents Larry Deitch and Denise Ilitch. For Wayne Judge Deborah Thomas and Judge Frank Szymanski. Both State’s Board of Governors, Mark Gaffney and Yvette are judges in Wayne County Third Circuit Court, with long McElroy Anderson got the nod in their open seats from track records of putting the law ahead of partisan politics.  MEA’s Statewide S&R Committee. 

16 OCTOBER 2016

MEA Voice 2016 Election VOTE November 8 Pull-Out GuideKeep this handy! ELECTION 2016 Your Election Checklist

 Know Where & When To Vote Need to check your voter registration, find your polling place or request an absentee ballot? You can do all that and more at www.michigan.gov/vote. If you don’t think you’ll be around on election day to vote in-person, make sure to request your absentee ballot right away!  Get Involved To win in November, friends of public education need your support talking to voters about why they’re the right choice for our students and our communities. As school employees, you’re a trusted messenger with voters—use that power to volunteer with a campaign and help to Get Out the Vote! Find out how you can help by emailing us at [email protected] or contacting your local UniServ office.  Contribute to PAC At www.MEAVotes.org, you can contribute to MEA-PAC and the NEA Fund for Children & Public Education. These political action committees make contributions to candidates who are pro-public education at the federal, state and local levels. Dues money cannot be given to political candidates—only your voluntary PAC contributions can help these friends of public education be successful this fall!  Vote for Friends of Public Education At every level of government, MEA members like you have screened and recommended candidates who—based on their stances on education and labor issues—have earned school employees’ votes. This guide includes many of those recommended candidates for federal and state-level races. to find all the recommended candidates for your area, Go online to MEA.YourVoter.Guide including important school board races and local millage elections. MEA VOICE 17 Election Guide

MEA’s Screening & Recommenda- STATEWIDE U.S. CONGRESS tion (S&R) process places control 1st District: Lon Johnson of MEA political recommendations RECOMMENDATIONS 2nd District: Dennis Murphy in the hands of MEA members from President and Vice President 5th District: U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee

across the state from diverse back- of the United States: 7th District: Gretchen Driskell Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine grounds and roles within the public 8th District: Suzanna Shkreli education community. The process State Board of Education: 9th District: U.S. Rep. Sander Levin is governed by the MEA Political Ac- John Austin and Ish Ahmed 11th District: Anil Kumar 12th District: U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell tion Committee (MEA-PAC) Council, University of Michigan 13th District: U.S. Rep. John Conyers made up of local delegates from Board of Regents: 14th District: U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence MEA’s 62 coordinating councils. Laurence Deitch and Denise Ilitch Recommendation decisions are Michigan State University based on candidate responses to Board of Trustees: U.S. Congress districts with no questionnaires and interviews regard- Dianne Byrum and Diann Woodard recommendation: ing education and labor issues only. 3rd, 4th, 6th, 10th Wayne State Board of Governors: Recommendations at the state level Mark Gaffney and are made by the Statewide S&R Com- Yvette McElroy Anderson mittee, which is composed of elected Michigan Supreme Court MICHIGAN STATE SENATE members from various parts of the (full term): state and job classifications. Judge Frank Szymanski (Special Election) The S&R process for legislative dis- 4th District: Ian Conyers Michigan Supreme Court tricts is controlled at the local level, (partial term): where interviews and recommenda- Judge Deborah Thomas tion votes are taken by MEA mem- Michigan Court of Appeals bers from those jurisdictions serving (1st District – two seats): on local S&R Committees. Judge Cynthia Stephens and Nicole James Elect a pro-public education majority in the State House

Collene Lamonte knows firsthand how important every “Our school funding system is single vote is in an election. broken,” said Lamonte, referencing this year’s study commissioned by the In 2014, the former MEA member time,” Lamonte said. “Public education Legislature that shows a huge gap in and sitting state representative lost is too important to me and my con- funding between high-performing dis- her re-election bid by a mere 53 votes stituents to let a loss stand in the way of tricts and struggling ones. “Michigan in Muskegon County’s 91st House supporting what’s right.” school employees need to be heard District. Low voter turnout was a major That’s why Lamonte is running by our lawmakers about the resources driver in her loss. for the State House again in 2016, and tools they need to help all our “It was crushing to lose by such a along with many others who seek students succeed.” close margin. But it motivated me to to serve in a pro-public education Listening and respect for educa- come back and work even harder this majority in Lansing. tion. Those are drivers for many State

18 OCTOBER 2016

31st District: William Sowerby 75th District: Rep. David LaGrand MICHIGAN STATE HOUSE 33rd District: Jeff Yaroch 76th District: Rep. Winnie Brinks 1st District: Rep. Brian Banks 34th District: Rep. Sheldon Neeley 83rd District: Jim Frank 2nd District: Bettie Cook Scott 35th District: Rep. Jeremy Moss 84th District: James Wencel 5th District: Rep. Fred Durhal III 36th District: Rep. Peter Lucido 85th District: Anthony Karhoff 6th District: Rep. Stephanie Chang 37th District: Rep. Christine Greig 86th District: Lynn Mason 8th District: Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo 38th District: Amy McCusker 87th District: Eric Anderson 9th District: Sylvia Santana 39th District: Michael Stack 88th District: Kim Nagy 10th District: Rep. Leslie Love 40th District: Nicole Bedi 91st District: 11th District (partial term): 47th District: Rep. 92nd District: Lauren Plawecki 48th District: Rep. Pam Faris 95th District: Rep. 11th District (full term): 49th District: Rep. Phil Phelps 96th District: 50th District: 98th District: Geoff Malicoat 12th District: Rep. Erika Geiss 51st District: Ryan Bladzik 99th District: Bryan Mielke 13th District: Rep. 52nd District: 100th District: Sandy Clarke 15th District: 53rd District: 101st District: Dan Scripps 16th District: Rep. Robert Kosowski 54th District: Ronnie Peterson 104th District: Betsy Coffia 17th District: Rep. Bill LaVoy 55th District: Rep. Adam Zemke 106th District: Robert Kennedy 18th District: 56th District: Tom Redmond 108th District: Scott Celello 20th District: Colleen Pobur 57th District: Harvey Schmidt 109th District: Rep. John Kivela 21st District: Rep. Kristy Pagan 60th District: Rep. 110th District: Rep. 22nd District: Rep. 61st District: John Fisher 23rd District: 62nd District: 24th District: Dana Camphous-Peterson Michigan State House districts 64th District: Ron Brooks 25th District: Rep. Henry Yanez with no recommendation: 66th District: (S&R scheduled Oct. 6— 3rd, 4th, 7th, 14th, 19th, 32nd, 41st, 42nd, 26th District: Jim Ellison call 269-471-7705 for result) 43rd, 44th, 45th, 46th, 58th, 59th, 63rd, 27th District: Rep. Robert Wittenberg 67th District: Rep. 65th, 70th, 72nd, 73rd, 74th, 77th, 78th, 28th District: Patrick Green 68th District: Rep. Andy Schor 79th, 80th, 81st, 82nd, 89th, 90th, 93rd, 29th District: Rep. 69th District: Rep. Sam Singh 94th, 97th, 102nd, 103rd, 105th, 107th. 30th District: Michael Notte 71st District: Theresa Abed

House candidates who’ve earned MEA’s ning again for state representative in hand what’s needed to help students recommendation through our locally the 99th District, after losing to current succeed, which is what drove him to run driven process where candidates from Speaker of the House Kevin Cotter by for the 23rd House District. But as a both parties are interviewed by mem- 671 votes. Cotter is term-limited out charter school teacher, he has a unique bers like you. of office, which provides Mielke—and vantage point. “I hear from former colleagues all voters—the chance to replace him with “Michigan’s public school students, the time about how tired they are of a friend of public education. regardless of where they go to school, politicians who haven’t set foot in a “My wife is an educator, so I hear deserve a world class education,” Camil- classroom making decisions about every day about the lack of state fund- leri said. “I want to be a voice in Lan- what’s best for students and educators,” ing, the budget cuts, the pressure that sing to ensure that our charter schools said Theresa Abed, an Eaton County places on compensation for every are held to the same high standards of MEA retiree and former state represen- school employee,” Mielke said. “We accountability and transparency that tative for the 71st district who also lost need to stop putting so much emphasis our neighborhood schools are, so that re-election in 2014 by only 148 votes. on standardized testing and start put- we can make sure that every public “I’m running again because public edu- ting the focus on providing educators school is doing a good job for students.” cation needs champions in Lansing who with the money and the time you need You can find out the friends of are going to listen to what you need to help our students.” public education recommended for the and deliver on it.” Darrin Camilleri, an educator from State House in your area by going to In Mt. Pleasant, Bryan Mielke is run- Wayne County, knows first- MEA.YourVoter.Guide. 

MEA VOICE 19

TEACHERS’ COMMENTS ON THE RECORD SUBJECT That’s right! EDUCATION Believes in Public Education: FUNDING “When we invest in education, we’re investing in our country’s future, and a stronger economy for all of us.” —Speech to NEA Representative Assembly, 7/5/16 I’m ready to be heard. EDUCATORS AS Wants Us at the Table: [gold stars] EXPERTS “I will ensure that teachers always have a voice and seat at the table in making decisions that impact their work.” , 10/3/15 —U.S. News & World Report It truly does take a vil- SUPPORT FOR Understands We All Need Support: lage! THE ENTIRE “I will have your backs…everyone who SCHOOL STAFF helps our students succeed…school- related professionals, social workers, nurses and guidance counselors, speech therapists, and all educators.” —Speech to New York State United Teachers, 4/8/16 Finally! Someone who RESPECT Pushes Back on Blaming and Shaming: gets it. We need to stop “blaming and scapegoating teachers” and put money into schools that need it. —CNN, 3/6/16 It’s time to get serious! EDUCATOR PAY Will Raise the Bar on Pay: “We need to get serious about raising pay. It’s an outrage that those who keep our schools running and our children learning struggle to provide for their own families.” —Speech to NEA Representative Assembly, 7/5/16

20 OCTOBER 2016

TEACHERS’ COMMENTS ON THE RECORD SUBJECT Unacceptable! EDUCATION Will Divert Public Education Dollars: FUNDING “Trump’s plan offers nothing for how he’d help all public schools. Instead he talks about sucking resources out through risky voucher schemes.” , 8/19/16 —The Washington Post This is not what it means to be an educator. HIGHER Trump “University” Under Fire: EDUCATION Trump is being sued by the New York attorney general for allegedly defrauding thousands of students. , 6/4/16 —The Washington Post That’s the first priority? GUNS IN Argues for Guns in Schools: SCHOOLS Trump will get rid of gun-free zones in schools, saying, “My first day, it gets signed.” —CNN, 5/24/16 We can’t afford the cuts! DOWNSIZING Vows to Slash Education Department EDUCATION Trump promises “tremendous cutting” to the DOE, which funds Pell Grants and funds for Title 1 and special education. —The Wall Street Journal, 1/11/16 Merit pay systems come with real pitfalls. What EDUCATOR PAY Calls for Merit-Based Pay: about teachers who “Unfortunately, teachers are not do not teach tested paid on merit. The standard for subjects? advancement is mostly the number of years—seniority.” Great Again: How to Fix Our Crippled — America, 2015

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MI_CorpGenClass8375x1075 _082216.indd 1 8/22/16 7:29 PM Survey: Teachers, Support Staff, Faculty Demoralized

“The evaluation system has made teaching a version of the Hunger Games.”

An unprecedented level of re- sponse to a joint MEA-AFT Michigan survey of our members provides a star- tling glimpse into the collective psyche of educators in Michigan. Forget the A-B-C’s, and go straight to D: Demor- alized. Demeaned. Devalued. That’s the current state of morale among K-12 teachers and support staff, higher education faculty and sup- Q: What is the #1 most concerning port staff, and retirees from all sectors. issue in education The anonymous online survey was today? open to all members of both unions, and nearly 11,000 responded, includ- ing teachers, faculty, bus drivers, with actual teaching.” ference. “This survey is a damning secretaries, paraeducators, food service Another put it more bluntly: “Why indictment of toxic education policies employees, custodial and mainte- are legislators with no experience or and a toxic attitude toward those who nance, IT/tech support and safety/ understanding of how children learn educate our kids.” security employees. making decisions regarding their edu- Cook and Hecker told reporters Combined they had a total of cation? They ignore the teachers who that urgent fixes are needed to repair 215,765 years of experience and an are the real experts; it’s tragic.” the state’s broken school funding average of 20 years each. Yet school MEA President Steve Cook and AFT system—revealed in a recent state- employees reported feeling unappre- Michigan President David Hecker commissioned study—and to rein in ciated, frustrated by stagnant wages, presented the survey results to news skyrocketing health care costs resulting and burdened by unrealistic mandates media last month. from health care spending caps man- from lawmakers who possess little or “Michigan school employees have dated in a 2011 law, PA 152. no expertise in education. been dealt blow after blow in recent “Ensuring adequate, equitable, “People are burning out at an years, accepting pay cuts and freezes stable funds for schools is essential in alarming rate,” one survey respondent and other attacks from Lansing most addressing compensation issues that commented. “Too much has been Michiganders would find unaccept- threaten the ability of districts to at- added to our plates that has little to do able,” Cook said in the press con- tract and retain the best and brightest educators,” Cook said. Indeed, survey respondents noted the conditions created by lawmakers are driving good people out of the profession, leading many to fear a cri- sis in education is near on the horizon. “I would not encourage my children to go into education,” one respondent said. Another added: “Who will teach our Q What is (or was) kids when we are gone?” your job category?

MEA VOICE 23 ISSUES & ADVOCACY

Key Findings from the survey and MEA messages of change

WAGES, BENEFITS, COMPENSATION “I no longer have job security which has eliminated my ability to take risks and be creative in my classroom. I am so afraid of being fired AND JOB SECURITY (as are 90% of my colleagues) that I cannot risk the complications 80 percent of school employees said brought on by a lesson designed to teach critical thinking and putting they are under-compensated. any level of control in the hands of my students.” Many take home several thousand dollars less per year than five years ago. “I would have continued teaching for years beyond retirement time— 52 percent said they didn’t think they and I am not the tired old stuck in a rut teacher the legislature seems could comfortably retire. to think seasoned teachers are—but now I am counting the days until 51 percent of support staff said at I can retire. It is so sad to see what these legislators have done to this least one group of employees at profession and the students we are trying to help grow and mature.” their district/institutions have been privatized during the past five years. 43 percent of support staff said their “I have never seen the morale so low among our staff. While I still unit accepted a concessionary contract love working with my students, I am dismayed by the way many of my to avoid jobs cuts in the past five years. colleagues are treated by the administration and the lack of support for At districts that had recently privatized teachers dealing with significant behavior disruptions.” any support staff, 3 percent of school employees said it had a positive impact, while 43 percent called the impact negative or extremely negative.

MEA message:  Our school funding system is bro- ken, as noted in a recent Legisla- tive study.  Skyrocketing health care cost increases mandated by PA 152 of 2011 are unsustainable.  Continued attacks on pensions, Q: Do you feel and forcing employees to pay more that you’ll be able out-of-pocket for health care and to comfortably retirement, will worsen compensa- retire? tion and educator retention issues.

24 OCTOBER 2016 STANDARDIZED TESTING Respondents reported their students take an average of four different Q: On a scale of standardized tests each year. Many 1 to 5, rate the teachers said “dozens,” and for some, quality of support the number was so high that they could teachers have in only make a ballpark guess. At least 40 implementing new answered simply, “Too many.” state educational standards and A dismal 16 percent said they were curriculum? well-supported in implementing new state educational standards. “When I began teaching, I was able to teach CONTENT. I have given up too much of my curriculum to preparation for Standardized tests. MEA message: This does NOT help prepare students for their future lives.”  Moving the goal posts around makes it harder for educators and “Having Kindergarten students take part in multiple standardized students to hit them. tests throughout the year and pushing them to read before they are  Educators need quality profession- ready, is not what is best for the students. These practices are not al development and time to adapt developmentally appropriate and more play based learning should be to changes. what we are fighting for.”  We need to bring both consistency and sanity to our standards and testing. “There is too much focus on test scores and too little focus on the love of learning.”

“I feel bad for the younger teachers. They will probably never experience the true joy of teaching. All about scores and DATA.”

“When I was a resource room teacher my students often cried over the standardized test. They had to take the NWEA test 3 times a year as SAFETY/SCHOOL well as the state assessment.” CONDITIONS Of the poor conditions school employees reported at their buildings, the issues that were most frequently cited were: • Unreliable heating/cooling (57 percent) • Damaged walls/ceilings (39 percent) • Poor air quality (34 percent) • Rodents/insects (32 percent)

MEA message:  Our deteriorating school infra- structure is in need of mainte- nance, which has been neglected because our broken school funding system does not meet basic needs. Q: Check the following courses/facilities that your students have inadequate access to.

MEA VOICE 25 ISSUES & ADVOCACY

EVALUATIONS Only 7 percent of teachers thought changes to the evaluation system over the past several years have had a positive impact on their teaching. In Q: On a scale of fact, 60 percent said these changes had 1 to 5, have recent a negative impact on their teaching. changes to the Subjectivity in the evaluation tools is a evaluation system problem, according to the survey. Many had a positive or respondents objected to being marked negative impact down for attendance even when they on your teaching? only took sick days that were granted for illnesses or medical emergencies. The lack of validity in judging teachers “Ninety five percent of our teachers are functioning at an unbelievably based on test scores creates frustration high level and the evaluation system is focused on the bottom 5%. All and low morale. teachers want to get rid of any and all bad teachers—but the evaluation system does a poor job of accomplishing that while at the same time MEA message: DESTROYS THE PRODUCTIVITY OF THE GOOD TEACHERS!!!”  Evaluations should be about helping teachers better serve “The present evaluation system has such a negative impact on my students—not pitting educators teaching that I am physically sick each day when I report to work.” against each other.  The ban on bargaining over evalu- ations should be lifted, so there is “I feel like I am not allowed to teach and build a relationship with my greater local control and buy-in students as I did in the past, now my teaching is driven by data and around evaluation. the fear of a bad evaluation.”  Districts should begin taking bi- partisan improvements made in “Help us. I had tenure, and now it’s gone. I’ve seen other long-term the law last year and implement- teachers given poor evaluations and then pink slipped, even though ing them locally to refocus the they were excellent teachers. I live in constant fear that I’ll be next conversation to improvement and and I’m the sole support of my family.” excellence.

CONCLUSIONS

Not long after the release of tors working in schools that serve Nearly universally, educators feel our survey results last month, two at-risk populations. disrespected and frustrated and ig- separate proposals aimed at reduc- Those proposals are a step in the nored. By cutting budgets and issuing ing financial pressures on Michigan right direction, but we can’t stop draconian mandates that demonize school employees were introduced there. public school employees and public in the House. Public school employees are schools, the state is destroying the One proposal sponsored by Rep. increasingly discontented and con- quality of our children’s education. Peter Lucido (R-Shelby Township) cerned that the education system The warning signs are out there, would reduce health care costs for is headed for a crisis if lawmakers but policymakers have chosen to school employees, while a separate don’t act quickly to address our bro- bury their heads in the sand rather bill from Rep. Adam Zemke (D-Ann ken school funding system and enact than listen to experts—Michigan’s Arbor) would extend a tax credit to better education policies that focus hardworking school employees. That offset student loan debt for educa- on helping students succeed. needs to end. 

26 OCTOBER 2016 Region Election Information

18 16 17

14

Following is a description of the election procedures to be followed 15 in the regions. This process complies with relevant federal laws. (See posi- tions to be elected following this section.) 12 Election dates for regions using online voting are 8 a.m., Monday, 13 March 6, 2017 through 3 p.m., Mon- 11 day, March 13, 2017. ELECTION DATES FOR 9 10 REGIONS USING PAPER 8 6 BALLOTS 7

1. The region at-large election shall be conducted on March 7, 8, and 2 9, 2017. 5 4 3 2. If your unit is not scheduled to work during the above days, the election shall be conducted on March 14, 15 and 16, 2017. ABSENTEE BALLOTING mailed an absentee ballot by the local 3. If inclement weather or an- (From the Region Council Constitu- association election committee. An other emergency interrupts the tion, Article VIII, Sec. 3.f.) The region absentee ballot must be returned by election listed above, it shall be at-large election is an on-site elec- U.S. mail and received by the local completed on the next consecu- tion. However, eligible voters who are association no later than the last day tive workday(s), but no later than not able to vote on site during the of the election. Late absentee ballots March 24. election period may notify their local shall be unopened and set aside as The candidates for the region at- association president of their need to void ballots. large positions shall be printed in the vote by absentee ballot. The request February edition of the MEA Voice. must be in writing, include the spe- ELIGIBLE VOTERS Persons interested in running for a cific reason necessitating an absen- Voter eligibility listings will be position should contact their region tee ballot and be received no later created from information received Elections Chairperson or nomina- than Feb. 21 by the local association by the MEA Membership Depart- tions chair. president. Eligible voters requesting ment from the local associations by If a region does not have a December an absentee ballot and complying Dec. 31, 2016.  meeting they cannot use acclamation. with the above requirements shall be

MEA VOICE 27 REGION ELECTIONS

ATTENTION ESP MEMBERS—2017 REGION 50 STATEWIDE ELECTION FOR ESP ONLY

ESP members of MEA are entitled Nominated candidates may submit nominations meeting or by using the to send delegates to the NEA Repre- a biographical statement in paragraph nomination form below. Additional sentative Assembly (RA). Next year, form of no more than 150 words, due forms may be obtained from your the NEA RA will be held in Boston, by Dec. 31, 2016, to be printed and region president or region election MA. Expenses to attend are reim- distributed with the ballots to the chairperson. A candidate’s consent bursed in accordance with the state regions. Photos and lists will not be must be secured before that name is delegate expense policy. printed for regions using paper bal- placed on any ballot. The form should All Michigan ESP candidates for lots, but pictures can be submitted and be mailed to Mike Ostertag no later NEA statewide at-large delegate seats used for regions participating in the than Dec. 31, 2016. Late nominations run as delegates for Region 50. All online elections. Send statements to will not be accepted. ESP members vote as part of Region Mike Ostertag at [email protected], If you have any questions, con- 50. Statewide delegates and alter- or MEA, PO Box 2573, East Lansing, tact your region Elections Chair- nates must be elected by secret ballot MI 48826-2573. person, or call Mike Ostertag at in elections conducted at the region Any MEA ESP member in good 800-292-1934, ext. 5411, before level, with results forwarded to MEA standing can be nominated or may Dec. 15, 2016.  for final counting. nominate himself/herself at the region

REGION 50—NEA REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY, ESP DELEGATE AT LARGE NOMINATION FORM Supply the following information regarding the nominee. Remember, the consent of a candidate must be secured before that name is placed on any ballot. Please print. Name ______Home address ______City ______State ______Zip ______Home phone ______Work phone ______Local ESP association ______The named candidate is nominated for the following position(s): Biographical statements of no more than 150 words may  ESP NEA RA at-large delegate: be submitted, in paragraph form. Pictures will be ac- 4 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17 cepted for regions participating in the online elections.  ESP NEA RA at-large delegate-Representing Minority 3-1(g): Nomination form must be received no later than 2 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17 Dec. 31, 2016. Mail to: Mike Ostertag, MEA, PO Box 2573, East Lansing, MI 48826-2573.

Positions to be elected * is used to represent a Representative of Minority 3-1(g) seat

1 position, immed. thru 8/31/17 Position 14-ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate Region 2 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/16 4 positions, immed. thru 8/31/17 Position 3-MEA RA At-Large Delegate- Position 8-EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate 4 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17, same Representing Minority 3-1(g) 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 seats as above 3 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17 Position 9-EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/17 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/18 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same Position 4-MEA RA At-Large Alternate- Position 10-ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate seat as above Representing Minority 3-1(g) 3 positions, immed. thru 8/31/18 Position 15-ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate 4 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/18 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Position 6-EA NEA RA At-Large Alternate- 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/19 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 Representing Minority 3-1(g) Position 11-ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate Elections Chair: Jenni Lamb, 5 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 4 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 [email protected] Position 7-EA/ESP NEA RA At-Large 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 Delegate

28 OCTOBER 2016 Position 11-ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate Position 4-MEA RA At-Large Alternate- Region 3 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Representing Minority 3-1(g) Position 1-MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Position 12-EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate 5 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Delegate 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/17 Position 5-EA NEA RA At-Large Delegate- 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same Representing Minority 3-1(g) Position 2-MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA seat as above 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 Delegate-Representing Minority 3-1(g) 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 Position 6-EA NEA RA At-Large Alternate- 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 Position 13-EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate Representing Minority 3-1(g) Position 3-MEA RA At-Large Delegate- 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 5 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Representing Minority 3-1(g) Position 14-ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate Position 9-EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate 2 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17 3 positions, immed. thru 8/31/18 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 Position 4-MEA RA At-Large Alternate- 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/17 Position 11-ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate Representing Minority 3-1(g) 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 4 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 seat as above Position 12-EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate Position 5-EA NEA RA At-Large Delegate- Position 15-ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17 Representing Minority 3-1(g) 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Position 13-EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 Elections Chair: Craig Draheim, 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 Position 6-EA NEA RA At-Large Alternate- [email protected] Position 14-ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate Representing Minority 3-1(g) 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/17 6 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Region 5 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same Position 8-EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate seat as above MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 Position 1- 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/17 Delegate 4 positions, immed. thru 8/31/17 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 4 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17, same seat as above MEA RA At-Large Delegate- seats as above Position 3- 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/19 Representing Minority 3-1(g) 1position*, immed. thru 8/31/17 ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate 3 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17 Position 15- 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 MEA RA At-Large Alternate- seat as above Position 4- 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 Representing Minority 3-1(g) 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/19 : Heather Schulz, 4 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Elections Chair Position 9-EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate [email protected] 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Position 5-EA NEA RA At-Large Delegate- Representing Minority 3-1(g) Position 10-ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate Region 7 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/17 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same Position 6-EA NEA RA At-Large Alternate- Position 1-MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA seat as above Representing Minority 3-1(g) Delegate 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17 6 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/18 Position 8-EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate Position 2-MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/18 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/19 Delegate-Representing Minority 3-1(g) 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 Position 11-ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate 5 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Position 9-EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate Position 3-MEA RA At-Large Delegate- 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Representing Minority 3-1(g) 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 3 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17 Position 12-EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17 Position 10-ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate Position 4-MEA RA At-Large Alternate- 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/17 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/18 Representing Minority 3-1(g) 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 8 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 seat as above 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/17 Position 5-EA NEA RA At-Large Delegate- 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same Representing Minority 3-1(g) Position 13-EA NEA Cluster Alternate 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 seat as above 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate EA NEA RA At-Large Alternate- Position 14-ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate Position 11- Position 6- 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/17 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Representing Minority 3-1(g) 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same Position 12-EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate 5 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 seat as above 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/18 Position 7-EA/ESP NEA RA At-Large 2 positions, immed. thru 8/31/19 Delegate Position 15-ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 2 positions*, immed. thru 8/31/18 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/17 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/19 ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate Elections Chair: Margaret Thiele, Position 10- [email protected] Position 13-EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17 4 positions, immed. thru 3/31/19 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/17 Region 4 1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/19 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same Position 14-ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate seat as above Position 3-MEA RA At-Large Delegate- 3 positions, immed. thru 8/31/19 2 positions, immed. thru 8/31/18 Representing Minority 3-1(g) 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/19 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/19 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 Position 15-ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate Position 11-ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate Position 4-MEA RA At-Large Alternate- 2 positions, immed. thru 3/31/19 4 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Representing Minority 3-1(g) 1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/19 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 2 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Elections Chair: Mary Cooper, Position 14-ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate Position 6-EA NEA RA At-Large Alternate- [email protected] 4 positions, immed. thru 8/31/17 Representing Minority 3-1(g) 4 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17, same 4 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Region 6 seats as above Position 7-EA/ESP NEA RA At-Large 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate Position 1- 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/17 Delegate 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/17 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17 Position 8-EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate seat as above MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/19 Position 2- ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate Delegate-Representing Minority 3-1(g) Position 15- 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 4 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 Position 9-EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate 2 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 MEA RA At-Large Delegate- 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Position 3- : Aimee McKeever, Representing Minority 3-1(g) Elections Chair Position 10-ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate [email protected] 2 positions, immed. thru 8/31/18 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17

MEA VOICE 29 REGION ELECTIONS Region 8 Position 14-ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 5 positions, immed. thru 8/31/18 Position 10-ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate Position 1-MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/18 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/17 Delegate 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/17 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same seat as above Position 3-MEA RA At-Large Delegate- seat as above 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/18 Representing Minority 3-1(g) Position 15-ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/19 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/17 5 positions, immed. thru 3/31/18 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/18 3 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17 2 positions*, immed. thru 3/31/18 Position 11-ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate Position 4-MEA RA At-Large Alternate- Elections Chair: Michelle Munoz, 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Representing Minority 3-1(g) [email protected] 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 5 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Position 12-EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate Position 5-EA NEA RA At-Large Delegate- Region 10 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/18 Representing Minority 3-1(g) 2 positions*, immed. thru 8/31/18 MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 Position 1- EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate Delegate Position 13- Position 6-EA NEA RA At-Large Alternate- 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 Representing Minority 3-1(g) 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/17 6 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same Position 14- Position 8-EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate 3 positions, immed. thru 8/31/18 seat as above 2 positions, immed. thru 8/31/18 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/18 MEA RA At-Large Delegate- 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/18 Position 3- ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate Representing Minority 3-1(g) Position 15- Position 9-EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 2 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 MEA RA At-Large Alternate- Position 10-ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate Position 4- : Jason Ostrander, Representing Minority 3-1(g) Elections Chair 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/17 [email protected] 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same 4 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 EA NEA RA At-Large Alternate- seat as above Position 6- Region 12 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17 Representing Minority 3-1(g) 1 position, immed. 8/31/19 5 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Position 1-MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate Delegate Position 11-ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate Position 8- 5 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/18 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 2 positions, immed. thru 8/31/19 Position 4-MEA RA At-Large Alternate- EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate Representing Minority 3-1(g) Position 12-EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate Position 9- 4 positions, immed. thru 8/31/18 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 4 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/18 Position 10-ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate Position 6-EA NEA RA At-Large Alternate- 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/19 2 positions, immed. thru 8/31/17 Representing Minority 3-1(g) 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17, same 4 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Position 13-EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate 4 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 seats as above Position 7-EA/ESP NEA RA At-Large 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 Position 11-ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate Delegate 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 3 positions, immed. thru 8/31/17 Position 14-ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate 3 positions, immed. thru 8/31/18 Position 12-EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate Position 8-EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate 2 positions*, immed. thru 8/31/18 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/18 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/19 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/18 Position 9-EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate 1 position, immed. thru 3/31/18 Position 15-ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate Position 13- 5 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Position 10-ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate 2 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Position 14-ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate 2 positions, immed. thru 8/31/18 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/17 ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate Elections Chair: Lance Little, [email protected] Position 11- 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 seat as above 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 Region 9 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/19 Position12-EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate Position 4-MEA RA At-Large Alternate- Position 15-ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17 Representing Minority 3-1(g) 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/19 5 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/19 Position 6-EA NEA RA At-Large Alternate- Elections Chair: Karen Christian, Position 13-EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate Representing Minority 3-1(g) [email protected] 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 7 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Position 14-ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate Position 7-EA/ESP NEA RA At-Large Region 11 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/17 Delegate 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same MEA RA At-Large Delegate- 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/18 Position 3- seat as above Representing Minority 3-1(g) 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/16 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/18 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 Position 8-EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/18 EA RA At-Large Alternate- 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/17 Position 4- 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/19 Representing Minority 3-1(g) 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate 3 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Position 15- seat as above 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 EA NEA RA At-Large Alternate- 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/18 Position 6- 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 Representing Minority 3-1(g) Position 9-EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate : Jenny Van Duinen, 6 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Elections Chair 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 [email protected] EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate Position 10-ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate Position 8- 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 Region 13 5 positions, immed. thru 8/31/18 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/17 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/18 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same Position 3-MEA RA At-Large Delegate- seat as above Representing Minority 3-1(g) Position 11-ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/17 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/18 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same MEA RA At-Large Alternate- Position 12-EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate Position 4- 2 positions, immed. thru 8/31/18 seat as above Representing Minority 3-1(g) 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/18 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/19 3 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate EA NEA RA At-Large Alternate- Position 13-EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate Position 9- Position 6- 2 positions, immed. thru 3/31/18 5 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Representing Minority 3-1(g)

30 OCTOBER 2016 1 position*, immed. thru 3/31/19 Region 14 MAHE EA RA Cluster Delegate 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 3 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 Position 6-EA NEA RA At-Large Alternate- Position 8-EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate Region 14 MAHE EA RA Cluster Alternate Representing Minority 3-1(g) 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/19 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 2 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/18 Elections Chair: Position 9-EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate Position 9-EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 4 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Region 15 Position 10-ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17 MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate Position 1- ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate Position 10- Delegate Position 11- 2 positions, immed. thru 8/31/18 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/18 EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate MEA RA At-Large Delegate- Position 12- ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate Position 3- 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17 Position 11- Representing Minority 3-1(g) 4 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/18 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/19 MEA RA At-Large Alternate- EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate Position 4- 1 position*, immed thru 8/31/19 Position 12- Representing Minority 3-1(g) 3 positions, immed. thru 8/31/18 EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate 1 position*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Position 13- 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/19 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 EA NEA RA At-Large Alternate- EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate Position 6- 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 Position 13- Representing Minority 3-1(g) 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate 2 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Position 14- 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17 EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate Position 8- 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 Position 14- 2 positions, immed. thru 8/31/18 2 positions, immed. thru 8/31/18 ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate Position 15- 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/19 Position 9- 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/17 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same Position 10- : Theresa Hruska, 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 Elections Chair seat as above [email protected] 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/17 ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate Position 15- 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 seat as above Region 18 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 1 position, immed thru 8/31/19 MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA : Jim Webber, Position 1- Elections Chair ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate Delegate [email protected] Position 11- 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/17 Position 12-EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 Region 14 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/17 Position 3-MEA RA At-Large Delegate- Position 3-MEA RA At-Large Delegate- 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same Representing Minority 3-1(g) Representing Minority 3-1(g) seat as above 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/18 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/17 Position 13-EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate Position 4-MEA RA At-Large Alternate- 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Representing Minority 3-1(g) seat as above 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 Position 4-MEA RA At-Large Alternate- Position 14-ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate Position 6-EA NEA RA At-Large Alternate- Representing Minority 3-1(g) 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17 Representing Minority 3-1(g) 2 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Position 15-ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate 2 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Position 6-EA NEA RA At-Large Alternate- 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Position 9-EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate Representing Minority 3-1(g) 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 2 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Elections Chair: Harvey Miller, Position 10-ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate Position 8-EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate [email protected] 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17 Position 11-ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate Position 9-EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate Region 16 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate MEA RA At-Large Delegate- Position 12- ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate Position 3- 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/17 Position 10- Representing Minority 3-1(g) 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/17 seat as above MEA RA At-Large Alternate- 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same Position 4- 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 Representing Minority 3-1(g) seat as above 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/19 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/19 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/19 EA NEA RA At-Large Alternate- ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate Position 6- EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate Position 11- Representing Minority 3-1(g) Position 13- 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 Position 12- EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 Position 9- ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Position 15- 1 position*, immed. thru 8/31/17 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same Position 10- MAHE Cluster Delegate 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 Region 18 seat as above 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/17 ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/18 Position 11- 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/19 seat as above EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate Position 12- MAHE Cluster Alternate Position 13- 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 Region 18 3 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 Position 13- : Steve Elenich, 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 Elections Chair ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate [email protected] Position 14- ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 Position 14- 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17 1 position, immed. thru 8/31/17 ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate Region 50 1 position, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same Position 15- 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 ESP NEA RA At-Large Delegate seat as above Region 50- : Al Beamish, 4 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17 1 position* immed. thru 8/31/17 Elections Chair [email protected] ESP NEA RA At-Large Delegate- 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 9/1/17, same Region 50- Representing Minority 3-1(g) seat as above 2 positions*, 3 yr. terms begin 9/1/17  Position 15-ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate Region 17 2 positions, 3 yr. terms begin 4/1/17 Position 4-MEA RA At-Large Alternate- 1 position*, 3 yr. term begins 4/1/17 Representing Minority 3-1(g)

MEA VOICE 31 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

MEA member Amelia Leighton Gamel is an assistant professor at Jackson College, presenter, teacher trainer and the author of Help! My College Students Can’t Read: Teaching Vital Reading Strategies in the Content Areas, and an accompanying student workbook, published by Rowman & Littlefield.

Your first book focuses on helping struggling readers in college, and the new book you’re finishing up now targets disadvantaged populations. What interests you about working with students who’ve historically been underserved?

I was a first-generation college student from a single-parent, low-income home, and I understand firsthand the experiences, thoughts, and beliefs of underserved students that foster their success or failure. I know what it’s like to lack the social, educational, and economic capital that’s required to navigate higher education with ease. And I know what it’s like to believe college is for others. By far, my greatest professional joy is assisting, inspiring and motivating underserved students and preparing them for their successes that lie ahead. It is so rewarding to actually witness their transformations as they become the people they were meant to be.

What do you do to connect with under-privileged students who arrive at college lacking in confidence? And what kinds of transformations have you seen?

I get to know the students as people. I know my students’ names by the end of the second week. I write a letter to students telling about myself and invite them to write back. I spend a significant amount of time building a community in my classes. I often show motivating video clips, share inspiring quotes and share my own life stories of challenge and triumph. I remind them, all the time, of the value of staying in school and sometimes even write messages on the whiteboard in really large print: “If you’re thinking about quitting, DON’T. Come talk to me first.” One of the most important things I do is to respect my students all the time, even during the hard times. I assume the students have positive intent and are doing the best they can. I’ve had the privilege of seeing amazing transformation among my students. I have had students tell me the first book they ever read, cover to cover, was in my class. I’ve seen students who might not have had the best attendance in high school, come every single day and not miss one class during the semester. I even had one student last fall who I remind students, all the time, of the had surgery but used FaceTime in the recovery room so he wouldn’t miss be- value of staying in school and sometimes ing a part of class. I’ve seen tentative students grow to confident young men even write messages on the whiteboard in and women who know they can be suc- really large print: cessful. I’ve watched with shining pride and teary eyes as my students walk across the stage to become the first person in “If you’re thinking about quitting, their family to receive a college diploma. DON’T. Come talk to me first.” What’s better than that?

32 OCTOBER 2016 Those powerful emotional connections You take those ideas a step further in Lately you’ve been presenting you create lay the groundwork for your role as lead faculty—training trainings across Michigan, and next everything else, right? The students other instructors—and in your first February you’ll speak at a national you teach are not reading at college book, Help! My College Students conference in San Francisco. Who are level, and the literacy work you do Can’t Read. You ask content area your audiences, and what sorts of key in the classroom asks them to try instructors—science, social studies, ideas do you offer them? new things and take risks to become math faculty—to explicitly teach I present to a range of audiences, skillful readers. That requires them reading, offering effective strategies to trust—both you and themselves. for them to use. Why should non- from college faculty and administra- Can you talk about what you do in reading teachers embed these tors, to K-12 teachers and adminis- the classroom to help students develop strategies in their instruction? trators, and school social workers. My into strong readers? workshops offer insight into the ways Instructors are the expert readers poverty, inequity, and racism impact That’s exactly right. I lay the of their content texts. If instructors student engagement and success, and groundwork by building commu- take just 5-10 minutes at the begin- I offer concrete, culturally respon- nity in the classroom so students ning of each class during the first sive approaches for responding. For are receptive to following my lead. couple weeks of the term to model example, I teach methods for un- Research shows that having the how to read texts in their discipline, derstanding students’ backgrounds, ability to read well is one of the big- the payoffs are HUGE. Students histories, thoughts, and beliefs. And I gest indicators of college success, appreciate an instructor who will ac- show instructors they have the means so I work ardently to make sure my tually show them how to approach a to reduce or prevent class disruptions students are solid, strategic academic text in their content area, how to de- by developing relationships with and readers. Most of my students are able termine what’s important, the value among students. I believe strongly in to read the words on the page. Their of reading the chapter summary first, Josh McDowell’s statement: “Rules struggles come from not being able how to bullet key points while read- without relationships lead to rebel- to understand, remember and use ing and how to use that information lion.” Relationships truly are the keys the information. I provide strategies for review before an assessment. to the kingdom. that allow them to do that. The first The few minutes that instructors thing I teach students is to not read lose taking the time to model good, Amelia Leighton Gamel’s next book is everything, not every chapter, page strategic content-area reading will tentatively scheduled for publication in or even paragraph. I teach them come back later in the form of better, 2017. You can read more and view videos to read only what’s important and more effective readers who know how about her work and her presentations at relevant to what they need to know. to glean necessary information from AmeliaGamel.com.  I also teach students not to use high- texts and are able to recall and use it. lighters but instead to read actively, with a pen in hand, annotating their texts with their ideas, connections, summaries, and so on. I teach stu- dents how to read with a purpose (to be aware of what they’re looking for so their brains can find it), to make connections so when they encounter new information they’re able to hook it to something they already know. I give students ways to remember the information they read so they are able to recall it while writing papers, engaging in discussions or electronic posts, or while taking quizzes. The reading strategies I teach students will help them in all content areas.

MEA VOICE 33

MESSA taking on rising drug prices

By Ross Wilson, MESSA Executive Director

MESSA staff are working hard to EpiPen, announced in May it was bring new plan options to market once again raising the price of the and lower the amount of money life-saving epinephrine-injection that’s taken from education employ- device. The price for a two-pack of tions for arthritis, high cholesterol, ees’ paychecks for health insurance. EpiPens has increased 500 percent asthma and other common problems, This is especially important at a time over the last 10 years, according to Reuters reported. when health care costs are rising a recent article in Time Magazine— We at MESSA are committed to across the nation. from $100 in 2007 to over $600 in helping our members with rising The sharp increase in the cost of August of this year. pharmaceutical costs as much as specialty drugs has played a signifi- This situation is not unique to possible, and we are researching new cant role in the nationwide increase Mylan. In the past five years, the prescription drug plans and riders in health insurance premiums, as prices of four of the most popular that would save members money. health plans and their members are prescription drugs have increased by MESSA members and nonmem- being forced to pay more and more more than 100 percent, according to bers alike with questions about new for prescriptions. an analysis by Reuters. Consumers plan options can call their area’s field Mylan, the manufacturer of the have paid billions more for medica- representative at 800.292.4910. 

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