From July 4-7, approximately 7,000 educators will come together in Philadelphia, PA to set goals and priorities for the nation’s largest labor union at the National Education Association (NEA) Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly (RA).
The RA is the world’s largest democratic deliberative body and the top decision-making body for NEA’s nearly 3 million members. Every year, delegates—representing state and local affiliates, student members, and retired members—come together to draft and debate new policies, adopt a strategic plan and budget, listen to speeches from NEA leaders and other prominent educators, and elect new leaders.
The 2024 RA will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in downtown Philadelphia, the site of the first meeting and founding of NEA on August 26, 1857.
Over the four days, the RA’s work will reflect and touch upon the many victories NEA members have won over the past year, but also acknowledge and prepare for ongoing challenges — advocating for higher pay, better working conditions, mental health support and racial and social justice.
This is a critical moment for millions of America’s educators and the families who depend on our public schools. Anti-public education forces are organizing to siphon off precious funding from public school and censor what teachers can and cannot teach in their classrooms.
Educators across the country have been organizing on the ground, building coalitions and supporting pro-public education candidates and initiatives on your ballot this election year—most notably, making sure President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris are re-elected in November. For leading the most pro-public education and pro-union administration in modern history, the NEA has recommended Biden and Harris as the Democratic nominees or re-election.
Pre-Conference Highlights
Prior to the RA, the Annual Meeting will kick off with NEA’s Aspiring Educator (AE) Conference, held June 29-July 2. The AE Conference offers future educators the chance to connect with their colleagues, learn about their profession, and act on important education issues.
At the NEA-Retired Annual Meeting, held June 29-July 1, members will establish legislative and political action goals and celebrate winners of annual communications and distinguished service awards.
On June 29, NEA’s Center for Racial and Social Justice will present the Conference on Racial and Social Justice — a unique space for educators, students, and community members to address fundamental issues of equity and social justice facing public education.
Education Leaders in the Spotlight
NEA President Becky Pringle’s keynote address will open the four-day RA on July 3 at approximately 11:30 a.m. (Follow President Pringle throughout the convention at @BeckyPringle.)
Over the next three days, the RA will also hear from 2024 National Teacher of the Year Missy Testerman, Education Support Professional of the Year Jen Bramson, and Higher Educator of the Year, Susan Williams Brown. Williams Brown, the president of the Alabama Education Association, in addition to being a pioneer in online instruction, is a tireless advocate for educators and students.
An early childhood educator in Park City, Utah, Bramson is a union leader, activist, and skilled lobbyist who has spent countless days raising awareness among elected leaders about ESP needs and contributions. Testerman, an English as a second language (ESL) teacher
at Rogersville City School in Rogersville, Tenn., is a mentor for new teachers and a passionate advocate for newcomer students and their families.
Addressing Critical Issues
At every RA, the delegates take on some of the most pressing issues facing public education and will consider a host of new business items (NBIs) that will define much of NEA’s advocacy work going forward.
RA delegates will also weigh NEA’s new policy statement on artificial intelligence (AI) in education. Since the fall of 2023, a task force of NEA members, led by NEA Secretary-Treasurer Noel Candelaria, has been meeting and talking with other educators and experts. Their 5-page, proposed policy statement was reviewed at an open hearing of RA delegates on June 24, and will be voted on during the RA.
“Where AI once seemed like something coming in the future, it’s clear the future is now,” said Candelaria, at this week’s hearing. “For NEA, we need to be at the forefront of how this technology is regulated and used.”
Follow all the latest RA news at www.nea.org/RA and #NEARA.
