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Educator pensions and retirement security

Educator pensions and retirement security

Educator pensions and retirement security

At the Legislature

The decisions state legislators make affect your classroom, school and profession. State funding dictates what districts can do about class sizes, special education caseloads, even the condition of your building.

Collective Bargaining

When Can I Afford to Retire?

When Can I Afford to retire Sessions. ESI offers trainings regarding member benefits and seminars on financial planning and general pension education. We are also available to exhibit at local or regional events and attend membership or new member meetings.

MEA conference

Education Minnesota’s MEA conference is the largest one-day professional development event for educators in Minnesota. Don’t miss it!

The MEA conference and MEA Online are always free and open to Education Minnesota members only.

2025 MEA conference

7:30 a.m.-4:15 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 16
Saint Paul RiverCentre

Find more information and registration here.

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Degrees Not Debt

Degrees Not Debt

Student debt is no longer just a burden—it’s become a barrier to the American Dream.

Minnesota ranks fifth in the nation for student debt, with the average student debt load more than $35,000 for state college students.

That’s why we created our Degrees, Not Debt program. Your union wants to help relieve your debt burden and make college more affordable and accessible to all. This is particularly important for our public schools. If teaching becomes an unaffordable profession, it will become even more difficult to attract and retain high-quality educators.

We support you with our training options

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Education Minnesota Elects New Officers

Education Minnesota New Officers

In addition to union business at the Representative Convention, delegates elected a new officer team. Education Minnesota Vice President Monica Byron was elected after running unopposed for president. Marty Fridgen of United Teachers of South Washington County was elected vice president and Ryan Fiereck of Education Minnesota-St. Francis was elected secretary-treasurer.

The new officer slate will take office on July 1 and will serve three-year terms.

Find the full article here

‘I love it’: How a ‘Log-Off Lunch’ helps high schoolers break away from phones

Two Rivers Cell Pic

A stack of cell phones, headphones, and airpods are stacked on a table of students at Two Rivers High School on March 19 in Mendota Heights. who signed up to give up cell phone use during lunch in the school’s cafeteria. Tables marked by orange cones indicate the students have agreed to give up their phones. All students who participate in the Log Off Lunch Challenge are entered in a raffle to receive free pizza the following Wednesday.

Judy Griesedieck | MPR News
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Summer Leadership Conference

Enhance your personal and professional skills at Education Minnesota’s Summer Leadership Conference.

This year’s event will be held Aug. 5-6 at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud.

Summer Leadership Conference is different from our Summer Seminar of years past, with an emphasis on relationship building and shared experiences in a cohort structure. Come as an individual – or as a team – to develop or enhance your union leadership skills.

Registration opening in early May!

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MDE rejects unlawful request to sign DEI certification

Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Willie Jett sent a letter responding to the U.S. Department of Education’s request last week for all state and local education leaders to certify compliance with Title VI, a federal law that prohibits racial discrimination in schools and universities that receive federal funds. In summary, MDE has rejected the DOE’s request to sign the letter and has challenged the DOE’s authority to require it as a condition of receiving federal funds.

After noting that “MDE has been faithfully implementing federal education programs in accordance with federal law

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