LANSING- -The Austin for Michigan campaign today announced the endorsement of the Michigan Education Association (MEA) and the American Federation of Teachers Michigan (AFT Michigan), collectively representing 175,000 of Michigan’s front line K-12 and higher education teachers, faculty and staff.  
“I am honored to have the support of the men and women doing the most important and difficult work there is, inspiring and equipping the people of Michigan with the skills they need to realize their full potential,” Austin said in accepting the endorsement.
Austin, President of the State Board of Education, pushed for greater investment in K-12 schools and higher education in the FY 2017 budget, helping protect a $60-$120 increase in per-student spending. 

“John Austin’s reelection to the State Board of Education is essential,” said Steve Cook, MEA President.  “At a time when too many seek to tear public education down, and attack Michigan’s hard-working teachers, John provides leadership that puts children and their learning first, and he lifts up our school employees.  He understands they are the key drivers of increased student achievement and higher education attainment that Michigan so urgently needs.”

Austin, appointed to Governor Snyder’s  21st Century Education Commission in May, has pledged to push the 25-member group to provide public educators the support and tools they need to help all children in Michigan get the education they deserve and realize the promise of a higher education.​

"'John Austin is championing the right solutions to rebuild our education system” said David Hecker, AFT Michigan President. “His leadership is critical in fighting for the resources, academic standards and support for educators needed to provide every child in Detroit and across Michigan the quality education they deserve."
Today’s announcement adds Michigan’s front-line educators to the broad coalition of business, labor, education, higher education and civic leaders endorsing Austin’s forward looking and bridge-building leadership. For a full listing of Austin supporters, visit http://www.austinformichigan.com/news/-what-other-leaders-are-saying-about-john-austin

“John provides thoughtful  and effective leadership to help our young people succeed in school, and access and achieve the dream of higher education.”
Brandy Johnson, Executive Director, Michigan College Access Network (MCAN)
 
“John Austin has been the leader of Michigan’s efforts to make sure all citizens young and old, get an essential higher education degree or credential, and have a shot at a good job in today’s economy.”
Dr. James Jacobs, Community College Leader
 
"John Austin provides strong leadership to ensure all our young people get a great education, and to make the promise of higher education -- essential in today's economy -- a reality for many more Michigan citizens."
Paul Liebenau, Michigan Elementary Principals Association
 
"John is totally focused on how we meet the learning needs and create the shot at a better life provided by great education, for the children of our state who most need it--the children in Detroit elsewhere in Michigan who have the greatest needs and the furthest to travel. We must have John on the State Board of Education to make sure all our children are attended to, whatever zip code, whatever skin color, whatever sexual orientation."
Dan Varner,  Executive Director, Excellent Schools Detroit
 
“John Austin works hard to understand the  needs of our school and students, then brings people together from all sides and gets them to work together to make sure our children get the great education and higher education they deserve.”
Janice M. Brown, Trustee, the Kalamazoo Promise
 
“John Austin cares deeply and passionately about the right of every child to engage in an outstanding public education. He fights tirelessly for equitable access to excellent opportunities for all. John believes that public education is the cornerstone of our democracy and seeks to preserve and protect dynamic public schools throughout Michigan.”
Rick Joseph, Michigan Teacher of the Year 2016
 
"I wholeheartedly support John Austin for reelection to the State Board of Education. He provides leadership that puts children and their learning first, and he understands that well-trained and well supported teachers and educators are the most powerful drivers and most important contributors to increased student achievement.”
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan
 
"'John Austin is championing the right solutions to rebuild our education system. His leadership is critical in fighting for the resources, academic standards and support for educators needed to provide every child in Detroit and across Michigan the quality education they deserve."
David Hecker, President, American Federation of Teachers (AFT)  Michigan
 
"John Austin has been a an indispensable leader in  advancing our collective work to improve education and learning outcomes for children in Detroit and around the state.”
Tonya Allen, Detroit Education Leader
 
"John Austin provides strong leadership to ensure all our young people get a great education, and to make the promise of higher education -- essential in today's economy -- a reality for many more Michigan citizens." 
Allan Gilmour, retired President of Wayne State University, CFO of Ford Motor
 
"John Austin is a leader to works tirelessly to make education work for the total community, in Detroit and around the state."
Angela Reyes, Detroit Community Leader
 
"John Austin brings people together from business,  labor, education, higher education and the community around the policies and practices that can improve education for all children, and make higher education available for all."  
Shirley Stancato, Detroit Business, Education and Community Leader
 
“John Austin is an invaluable partner to our community, working tirelessly to make Michigan a more welcoming state for Muslim Americans and immigrants by ensuring educational opportunity, fighting for equal rights and creating a stronger economy for all.”
Rashida Tlaib, Former state representative and Detroit Community Leader
 
"John Austin has provided strong and innovative leadership in the work to rebuild Michigan's economy, helping to improve our educational system at all levels and provide Michigan citizens the educational opportunities they need to succeed.” 
Congressman Sander Levin
 
“John Austin provides essential leadership to make sure all our school children get a great education and make sure the pathway to a higher education is open for all Michiganders.”
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell