Speak Out for Michigan’s Students

Written By Jordan Greubel

What’s Happening:
Across the country, students are being denied access to honest education. Book bans, curriculum censorship, and proposed rollbacks in Native education support are threatening academic freedom and silencing marginalized voices. At the same time, many schools in Michigan are facing the loss of critical federal funding from COVID-relief programs, jeopardizing infrastructure upgrades and support services in already under-resourced communities.

Why This Matters in Michigan:
Michigan students deserve to learn in classrooms that reflect the truth of our shared history and honor the diversity of our communities. This includes Black, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+, and immigrant students who have long faced exclusion and underrepresentation in public education. Censorship and funding cuts only widen these gaps and strip teachers of the ability to teach with integrity.

Take Action Now:

1. Defend Inclusive Curriculum and Stop Book Bans

Call on state leaders to oppose censorship, support diverse literature, and ensure students learn the full story of our nation, including Black and LGBTQ+ history.

2. Support the Teach MI History Bills (SB 1145–1147)

Urge legislators to pass these bills, which would require schools to include the contributions of Indigenous, Black, Latino, and other communities of color in Michigan’s K–12 curriculum.

3. Restore Federal COVID-Relief Funds for Schools

Demand that Congress and the U.S. Department of Education reverse their decision to halt relief funding that many Michigan schools were already relying on for critical upgrades and support.

4. Support Educational Equity for Native Students

Encourage Michigan officials to reaffirm commitments to Native students and advocate for culturally responsive curriculum, resources, and tribal collaboration in education planning.

🔗 Resources:

General Educational Equity Letters:

These letters focus on equity in Michigan's public education system, including fair access to resources, inclusive learning environments, and support for underserved communities. Because public education policy, funding distribution, and curriculum guidelines are primarily handled at the state level, these letters should be directed to your Michigan State Representative and State Senator.

Send to:
Rep. Mike McFall
Sen. Mallory McMorrow

Physical Letter Template:

Your Name
City, Zip Code
Email or Phone
Date

To: The Honorable Mike McFall
Michigan House of Representatives
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514

OR

To: The Honorable Mallory McMorrow
Michigan Senate
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536

Subject: Protect Inclusive Education and Defend the Right to Learn in Michigan

Dear [Senator or Representative Last Name],

I am writing to urge you to take a strong stand in support of inclusive, fact-based education in Michigan. Across the country, we are witnessing coordinated efforts to censor school curricula, ban books, erase the experiences of marginalized communities, and limit what students are allowed to learn. These attacks are not isolated. They are part of a broader movement to silence Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, and other underrepresented voices in our classrooms.

Here in Michigan, students are already impacted. Books and teaching materials are being challenged, histories are being distorted, and federal rollbacks are removing crucial protections for Native students. At the same time, we are facing the loss of millions in federal education funding due to administrative decisions that punish schools serving vulnerable communities.

I ask you to stand up for every Michigan student by supporting inclusive curriculum, speaking out against censorship, and ensuring schools are resourced to serve all learners with dignity and truth. Every child deserves to learn their full history and see themselves represented in the classroom.

Thank you for your leadership and your commitment to Michigan’s future.

Sincerely,

Email Template:

Subject: Protect Inclusive Education and Defend the Right to Learn in Michigan

Dear [Senator or Representative Last Name],

I am writing to urge you to take a strong stand in support of inclusive, fact-based education in Michigan. Across the country, we are witnessing coordinated efforts to censor school curricula, ban books, erase the experiences of marginalized communities, and limit what students are allowed to learn. These attacks are not isolated. They are part of a broader movement to silence Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, and other underrepresented voices in our classrooms.

Here in Michigan, students are already impacted. Books and teaching materials are being challenged, histories are being distorted, and federal rollbacks are removing crucial protections for Native students. At the same time, we are facing the loss of millions in federal education funding due to administrative decisions that punish schools serving vulnerable communities.

I ask you to stand up for every Michigan student by supporting inclusive curriculum, speaking out against censorship, and ensuring schools are resourced to serve all learners with dignity and truth. Every child deserves to learn their full history and see themselves represented in the classroom.

Thank you for your leadership.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[City, ZIP Code]

Support the Teach MI History Bills:

This letter supports Michigan legislation that ensures public schools teach a full, accurate, and inclusive history of our state. The Teach MI History initiative is entirely state-led and would update state curriculum standards. These decisions fall under the responsibility of Michigan's state legislature, so this letter should go to your state-level officials in Lansing.

Send to:
Rep. Mike McFall
Sen. Mallory McMorrow

Physical Letter Template:

Your Name
City, Zip Code
Email or Phone
Date

To: The Honorable Mike McFall
Michigan House of Representatives
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514

OR

To: The Honorable Mallory McMorrow
Michigan Senate
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536

Subject: Please Support the Teach MI History Bills (SB 1145 to 1147)

Dear [Senator or Representative Last Name],

As your constituent, I am writing to voice my strong support for the Teach MI History bills, Senate Bills 1145 through 1147. These bills will ensure that Michigan students learn a full and accurate account of our state's and nation's history, including the stories and contributions of Indigenous, Black, Latino, and other communities of color.

Efforts to erase these histories from classrooms are deeply harmful. Students deserve to learn the truth, and educators deserve the freedom to teach it. Inclusive, culturally responsive education helps build understanding, reduce prejudice, and prepare young people to engage in a diverse world.

I urge you to co-sponsor, vote for, and publicly support this legislation. Help ensure that Michigan classrooms remain spaces where every student’s story matters.

Thank you for your time and leadership.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[City, ZIP Code]

Email Template:

Subject: Please Support the Teach MI History Bills (SB 1145–1147)

Dear [Senator or Representative Last Name],

As your constituent, I am writing to voice my strong support for the Teach MI History bills, Senate Bills 1145 through 1147. These bills will ensure that Michigan students learn a full and accurate account of our state's and nation's history, including the stories and contributions of Indigenous, Black, Latino, and other communities of color.

Efforts to erase these histories from classrooms are deeply harmful. Students deserve to learn the truth, and educators deserve the freedom to teach it. Inclusive, culturally responsive education helps build understanding, reduce prejudice, and prepare young people to engage in a diverse world.

I urge you to co-sponsor, vote for, and publicly support this legislation. Help ensure that Michigan classrooms remain spaces where every student’s story matters.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[City, ZIP Code]

Restore Federal Education Funding to Vulnerable Schools:

This letter urges Congress to restore or increase federal funding for Title I schools and other critical programs that support students in underserved communities. Because these funding decisions are made through the federal budget process, and managed by the U.S. Department of Education, this issue falls under federal jurisdiction. Contact your U.S. Representative and Senators.

Send to:
Rep. Haley Stevens
Sen. Elissa Slotkin
Sen. Gary Peters

Physical Letter Template:

Your Name
City, Zip Code
Email or Phone
Date

To: Representative Haley Stevens, Senator Elissa Slotkin, or Senator Gary Peters
Michigan State Legislature
State, City Zip

Subject: Restore Federal Education Relief for Michigan Schools

Dear [Senator or Representative Last Name],

I am writing to express serious concern about the recent decision to halt federal education relief funds, which has left Michigan schools scrambling to cover vital infrastructure and health-related upgrades.

These funds were promised as part of COVID-19 relief and had already been included in local budgets to improve ventilation, replace outdated systems, and make school buildings safer for students and staff. Now, because of a technical funding lapse, many districts are facing millions of dollars in shortfalls. This disproportionately affects schools in under-resourced communities that do not have the ability to absorb the financial burden.

I urge you to work with your colleagues in Congress and the Department of Education to restore this funding immediately. Michigan students should not suffer because of an administrative error. Our schools need support, not setbacks.

Thank you for your urgent attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Email Template:

Subject: Restore Federal Education Relief for Michigan Schools

Dear [Senator or Representative Last Name],

I am writing to express serious concern about the recent decision to halt federal education relief funds, which has left Michigan schools scrambling to cover vital infrastructure and health-related upgrades.

These funds were promised as part of COVID-19 relief and have already been allocated in budgets to improve ventilation, replace aging facilities, and make schools safer for students and staff. Now, because of a technical funding lapse, many districts are facing millions in shortfalls. This disproportionately affects schools in under-resourced communities that cannot afford to absorb these costs.

I urge you to work with your colleagues in Congress and the Department of Education to restore this funding as quickly as possible. Michigan students should not be penalized for a federal oversight.

Thank you for your urgent attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[City, ZIP Code]

Protect Native Students and Educational Equity:

This letter addresses the systemic barriers Indigenous students face in education, including funding, culturally responsive curricula, and federal protections for tribal sovereignty. Because these concerns intersect with both federal responsibilities (such as through the Bureau of Indian Education and ESSA) and state-level decisions (curriculum, representation, and local support), we recommend sending this letter to both state and federal representatives to ensure broad and informed support.

Send to:
State: Rep. Mike McFall, Sen. Mallory McMorrow
Federal: Rep. Haley Stevens, Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Sen. Gary Peters

Physical Letter Template:

Your Name
City, Zip Code
Email or Phone
Date

To: Michigan State Representative or Senator (Send to all 5)
Michigan State Legislature
State, City Zip

Subject: Defend Educational Equity and Restore Commitments to Native Students

Dear [Senator or Representative Last Name],

I am writing to express concern about the recent rollback of federal commitments that were designed to address longstanding disparities in Native education. At a time when we should be advancing culturally responsive teaching and equitable support services, the Department of Education has withdrawn agreements that helped improve outcomes for Native students.

In Michigan, Native youth already face educational gaps, underrepresentation in curriculum, and limited access to culturally relevant support. Reversing this progress deepens systemic inequities and sends a message that their needs and identities are not a priority.

I respectfully urge you to advocate for the restoration of these commitments and to support policies that uplift Native students and tribal communities across Michigan. Every student deserves to see themselves represented in their education and to receive the support they need to thrive.

Thank you for your leadership and service.

Sincerely,

Email Template:

Subject: Defend Educational Equity and Restore Commitments to Native Students

Dear [Senator or Representative Last Name],

I am writing to raise concern about the recent rollback of federal commitments to address disparities in Native education. At a time when we should be expanding access to culturally relevant learning and support services, the Department of Education has withdrawn agreements that helped improve outcomes for Native students.

In Michigan, Native youth already face educational gaps and underrepresentation. Reversing this progress sends the wrong message and deepens systemic inequities. I ask that you advocate for the restoration of these agreements and support policies that uplift Native students across the state.

Please work to ensure that all students, regardless of their background, receive a meaningful, inclusive education that honors their identity and history.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[City, ZIP Code]

State Representative Mike McFall (D – 14th District)

State Senator Mallory McMorrow (D – 8th District)

U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D – 11th Congressional District)

  • Washington, D.C. Office:
    The Honorable Haley Stevens
    2411 Rayburn House Office Building
    Washington, DC 20515

  • Phone: (202) 225-8171

  • Email Contact Form: stevens.house.gov/contact​

U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D – Junior Senator)

  • Washington, D.C. Office:
    The Honorable Elissa Slotkin
    825B Hart Senate Office Building
    Washington, DC 20510

  • Phone: (202) 224-4822

  • Email Contact Form: slotkin.senate.gov/contact​

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D – Senior Senator)

  • Washington, D.C. Office:
    The Honorable Gary Peters
    724 Hart Senate Office Building
    Washington, DC 20510

  • Phone: (202) 224-6221

  • Email Contact Form: peters.senate.gov/contact/email-gary​

Not sure who to contact or what to say? Our Raise Your Voice with Impact guide breaks it all down. Learn who does what, when to reach out, and how to make it count.

Jordan Greubel
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