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Happy Education Support Professionals Day!

School support staff keep our schools running and our students safe, healthy, and ready to learn every day. Learn more about ESPs and join us in advocating for the rights and respect of these valuable members of the education team.
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We’re here to make sure every student & educator succeeds.

The National Education Association (NEA) is more than 3 million people—educators, students, activists, workers, parents, neighbors, friends—who believe in opportunity for all students and in the power of public education to transform lives and create a more just and inclusive society.

We are Speaking Up For

Educators Find Meaningful Election Wins for Public Education
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nea voter survey

Educators Find Meaningful Election Wins for Public Education

Though many pro-public education candidates lost their races, there were notable victories. And when education issues were on the ballot, voters chose to protect and strengthen their public schools.
Is This the End of the High-Stakes High School Graduation Exam?
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Is This the End of the High-Stakes High School Graduation Exam?

Massachusetts educators and parents put the latest nail in the coffin of the high-stakes, standardized graduation test.
Privatization is No Answer to Bus Driver Shortage
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school bus driver shortage
Say Goodbye to Teacher Guilt
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darshanpreet gill

Say Goodbye to Teacher Guilt

The feeling of not doing enough for students is common among educators. Learning how to redirect it is critical for a healthier mindset.
The Unsung Hero Behind Paid Family Leave
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Jo Carol LaFleur

The Unsung Hero Behind Paid Family Leave

Fifty years ago, teacher Jo Carol LaFleur was the plaintiff in an historic Supreme Court case that struck down the common requirement that pregnant teachers leave their classrooms.
Native educators say Thanksgiving lessons can be accurate, respectful, and still fun—here’s how
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Dr. Star Yellowfish with Junior Miss Seminole Nation, an Oklahoma City high school student in the Native American Student Services program

Native educators say Thanksgiving lessons can be accurate, respectful, and still fun—here’s how

Whether you’re teaching tots or teenagers, celebrate your best Thanksgiving lesson ever by teaching an accurate history of the holiday.

Our best hope for student success is you.

Your passion and commitment are crucial to helping all students—of all colors and backgrounds—learn, grow, and fulfill their potential. Here’s how you can get started.
Anita Gibson
“I am confident we’re going to get this done. Our years of advocacy will finally fix [these unfair Social Security penalties], not only for our current retirees, but for future generations of educators.”
Quote by: Anita Gibson, President, NEA-Retired

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Jump to updates, opportunities, and resources for NEA state and local affiliates.

Let’s get real

Let’s bring real change

Let’s get real

Between 2012 and 2024, the number of unionized faculty grew by 7.5% and the number of grad-student employees in unions grew by 133%.

Let’s bring real change

Photo of Patricia MacGregor-Mandoza
“[Salary] is one of the things that hinders us in being able to attract and keep new faculty members. They say, ‘okay, New Mexico State is lovely. You’ve got great mountains. You’ve got great weather,’ but we can get paid $20,000 more at another institution with a lower teaching load.”
— Patricia MacGregor-Mendoza, professor of Spanish and linguistics
Read: The Union Boom in Higher Education

Strikes cause teacher pay to rise by 8%, or roughly $10,000 per teacher, five years post-strike.

Let’s bring real change

Photo of Angela Bonilla with microphone
“It makes sense that these educators who choose to do something radically different—who choose these students—are the same people saying we can and have to use our power as unionized educators to make something different happen!...In the end, we’re doing this because we care about our communities. We care about our students and families. And we care about each other.”
— Angela Bonilla, president of Oregon’s Portland Association of Teachers
Learn more about the effects of teacher strikes

Nine out of 10 educators married to someone who earns Social Security will lose all of their benefits because of the Government Pension Offset.

Let’s bring real change

Teacher in Repeal the Steal T-shirt
“When people ask me, ‘If you knew earlier that your retirement would be affected like this, would you make different choices?’ I can honestly answer no. But it is still devastating to see how serving as a public employee negatively affected my finances in retirement.”
— Susan Strader, retired teacher, Connecticut
Tell your Senator to repeal GPO

What’s on Your Mind?

We’re here to help. Our community comes to us seeking tools (guides, reports, trainings, and more) to help answer everyday questions. We’re here to support you in whatever you need.
We Are Water Protectors

Celebrate Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month

We have lesson plans, activities, resources, and recommended books to help students explore and celebrate Native American culture.
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Great public schools for every student

The National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization, is committed to advancing the cause of public education. NEA's 3 million members work at every level of education—from pre-school to university graduate programs. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.