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Black educator working with black teen in school library

We’re here to make sure that 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.
NEA member Jordann Lankford
“I am incredibly lucky to energetically pursue purposeful work as a high school teacher and school leader and advocate for indigenous people, specifically working to raise awareness in schools nationwide about Native American history and culture and the challenges we face today.”
Quote by: Jordann Lankford, Immersion Teacher and Indian Education for All Facilitator, Great Falls, Montana

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.
Elementary student with friends

Be a voice for each and every student.

Students have a right to a safe, welcoming, and affirming learning environment in a school that respects and values them and is free of bias. Learn about issues affecting our students and how you can help students succeed.
NEA member Enrique Ferrara

Advocate for your rights & working conditions.

Those who serve our students and communities need the support, resources, and working conditions to excel in their work. The power and influence of the NEA community are here to help you understand your rights and improve your working conditions.
Teaching engineering to girl students

Achieve professional excellence and become a leader in your profession.

Being an education professional requires passion, dedication, confidence, and resilience. Our community helps educators at all stages in their career become leaders in their profession, in their union, and in their communities. Explore how you can achieve professional excellence and mentor others through leadership development.
NEA Vice President Becky Pringle speaks to the crowd a social justice rally

Advance justice with us.

Institutional racism prevents students from getting the opportunities they deserve. See how you can bring racial and social justice into our schools and transform our communities.

Are you an affiliate?

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

Our journey began more than a century ago. Yours starts now.

We’ve spent decades working for students and educators—but, there’s still more to do. Like our progress during the civil rights and women’s rights movements, we need to dig in and speak up for the students and educators who are still facing inequality every day.

Let’s get real

Let’s bring real change

Let’s get real

Implicit bias is embedded in our culture. Research shows it starts at a young age.

Let’s bring real change

Preya Krishna-Kennedy
“I’m always interested to find that educators, who generally mean well and want to improve society, find they have their own implicit biases that affect the way they interact with their students and each other. It can be very subtle — often unintentional — but part of a web of preconceived ideas we have about people that cause us to treat them unfairly.”
— Preya Krishna-Kennedy, social studies teacher, New York
How to address implicit bias

Thirty-two states are spending less on public colleges and universities than they did in 2008.

Let’s bring real change

Aruna Krishnamurthy
“In our latest contract, we bargained for a new advocacy committee, which will unite administrators and faculty members to advocate for increased funding. We also have hosted numerous advocacy days at the state legislature. We take our students with us where they speak their stories and struggles directly to the legislators. The work of the union is to speak. We don’t win every fight, but we’re in every fight!”
— Aruna Krishnamurthy, English professor, Fitchburg State University, Massachusetts
Learn more about the state of higher education funding

Education support professionals earn less than they did 10 years ago, when adjusted for inflation.

Let’s bring real change

saul ramos
“I think we finally have a single document that says, ‘here are the things that are most critical to us — and here is why it is important for districts to recognize them. That’s something we’ve badly needed.”
— Saul Ramos, paraeducator, Massachusetts
ESPs campaign for a Bill of Rights

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.
later school start times

Later School Start Times More Popular, But What Are the Drawbacks?

Middle and high school students need more sleep to be prepared for school. Although later school start times can help, districts should be careful in how they implement this major change to student and family schedules.
National Education Association

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.