Recent Stories

Passing the Torch on Michigan Teacher of the Year May 18, 2015 Exactly one year ago, Melody Arabo's life completely changed. Within moments at a surprise assembly, she went from being a third-grade teacher to being the Michigan Teacher of the Year. While that day was incredible and overwhelming and emotional, it couldn’t even begin to prepare her for the wonder and awe she would experience through this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. ... Topic: Community, MTOY, Travel

Ignite the Flame in Education March 17, 2015 Michigan Teacher of the Year Melody Arabo was invited to speak at the Governor’s Economic and Education Summit at the Renaissance Center in Detroit. Her speech seemed to cause quite a stir, and several people reached out and asked her to publish it. She shares it here. Topic: Community, MTOY, Teaching

Nice Kids Can Be Mean, Too February 9, 2015 Michigan Teacher of the Year Melody Arabo discusses how even the brightest, nicest kids can show bullying behavior. But with a slight change in language, children are more willing to accept their behavior and take responsibility for it. ... Topic: Community, MTOY, Teaching

Keep Your Packages Safe December 10, 2014 If you don’t want to sit at work or on vacation worrying if your packages will be there when you get home, here are a few steps you can take. ... Topic: Safety, Community

OU Leadership Celebration Honors Pinos November 17, 2014 Since 2006, John and Marie Pino, owners of the Pino Insurance Agency, have honored John’s father with a scholarship in his name at the Oakland University School of Education and Human Services, and now Oakland University (OU) is honoring the Pinos and several other donors at its Leadership Celebration. Topic: Community, Insurance

Let's Get Connected November 5, 2014 Twitter was new for me last year. I opened a personal account years ago, but just didn’t see what all the buzz was about. Once my district started encouraging teachers to build their PLN’s, I reluctantly created a professional account. I was a little skeptical that it would be more of a distraction and less of a genuine resource, but I’m officially convinced otherwise. ... Topic: Community, MTOY, Teaching, Social Media

The Student Teacher Wish List October 9, 2014 I recently attended a DARTEP (Directors and Representatives of Teacher Education Programs) meeting with the Michigan Department of Education at Saginaw Valley State University. The purpose was to discuss pertinent information about teacher preparation programs across the state of Michigan. Topic: MTOY, Teaching

Other People Make Promises — Meemic Delivers October 3, 2014 The skies were so dark, Jim Vollmers remembered. Jim and wife Lisa had just picked up their 16-year-old son Spencer from baseball practice. (Daughter Olivia, age 18, was at high school soccer practice.) That’s when the family heard the sirens. Soon, they’d see the tornado. Later, they’d test the Meemic insurance they’d had for over 20 years — but that’s later in the story. ... Topic: Home, Safety, Insurance

Melody Arabo: Michigan Teacher of the Year September 15, 2014 Melody Arabo was selected as the Michigan Teacher of the Year (MTOY) for the 2014-2015 school year. Meemic partners with the Michigan Department of Education in the MTOY program, so we were able to get in touch with Melody for an exclusive interview. Below is the full account of our exchange: ... Topic: Community, MTOY, Teaching

Over 60 Years of Trust September 8, 2014 Teaching runs in the Anderson Family. Gene Anderson is a retired assistant principal and adjunct professor. Wife Joyce, whose grandmother was an elementary school teacher, is a retired kindergarten teacher. The second generation of Andersons includes their three children, each of whom became educators. Generation three counts five educators. And, for over six decades, the couple and members of their extended family have trusted Meemic for protection.  Topic: Home, Auto, Community, Teaching, Insurance