Missy Dodge

Missy Dodge is an educator, union organizer, writer, and advocate with more than a decade of experience in public education. She currently serves as a 7th grade English Language Arts teacher, department chair, teacher leader, and forensics coach in the Troy School District in Michigan. Her educational career includes curriculum development, professional learning, student leadership, mentoring, and instructional collaboration. She founded and developed a competitive forensics program at her middle school, helping expand opportunities for students to develop public speaking, performance, research, and communication skills. She has also published poetry, short stories, and a memoir.

Alongside her work in the classroom, Dodge has developed extensive leadership experience in education labor and union organizing. She serves as Vice Chair and PAC Chair of the South Oakland District Association Coordinating Council, representing 18 local education associations, and has held leadership roles with the Troy Education Association, Michigan Education Association, and National Education Association. Her union work encompasses membership organizing and retention, collective bargaining, leadership development, communications, advocacy, campaign organizing, professional learning, grant development, and coalition building. She has served as a Year-Round Organizer Lead, NEA Campaign Lab Coach, delegate, speaker, and presenter, supporting educators and union leaders at local, state, and national levels.

Dodge holds a BS in Elementary Education from Oakland University, an MA in Educational Psychology from Eastern Michigan University, and an MFA in Writing from Lindenwood University. She is affiliated with the National Education Association, Michigan Education Association, Troy Education Association, Michigan Interscholastic Forensics Association, and the Linguistic Justice Fellowship, where she is a founding fellow. Her professional and personal interests also extend to writing, theatre, education advocacy, and animal welfare. She has volunteered with Chihuahua Rescue and Transport and Happy Days Dog and Cat Rescue and supports organizations including Make-A-Wish, Rainbow Connection, and CURED. She describes education as a calling and emphasizes passion, relationships, boundaries, and work-life balance as important foundations for a meaningful life and career.