Skip Navigation
We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience, provide ads, analyze site traffic, and personalize content. If you continue to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies.
male teacher with students in international classroom

We advocate for the Global Community of Educators and Students

Learn more about our work advocating for the education profession globally and ensuring every student — at home and abroad — has access to a free, quality public education that prepares them to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world.

Humanitarian Aid for Educators and Students in Gaza

The impact of the armed conflict between Israel and Hamas has caused loss of human life in both Israel and Gaza and has left education communities and the whole world in shock. NEA extends its unwavering support to all students and educators in the region, and we are committed to advocating for a peaceful resolution, the protection of schools, universities, and educational personnel, and the prioritization of education in relief efforts.

NEA is working with Education International (EI) and EI affiliates in the West Bank to help provide support to meet the most urgent needs of educators and students in Gaza. This includes the distribution of food and blankets, as well as books and toys for children.

While EI affiliates primarily operate in the West Bank where their members actively engage in advocating for the rights and well-being of educators, they have forged connections with teachers in Gaza. These EI affiliates are collecting and will distribute resources.

All donations will benefit Education International’s Solidarity Fund for Gaza.

Donate now

If you would prefer to donate by check, please make checks payable to:
NEA Member Benefits
ATTN: Cecilia Evans
900 Clopper Road, Suite 300
Gaithersburg, MD 20878

In the memo or reference field, please specify “NEA Solidarity Fund for Gaza”

Section with embed

Conflict in the Middle East: Resources for Educators

Educators can use these resources and guidance to help address the ongoing crisis and support students in the classroom.
atlast map of israel and gaza

How to Talk About the Israel-Hamas War

Education Week curated resources to help help students understand historical context, process current events, and use media literacy skills to analyze news coverage.
6th grade boy listening to lesson in classroom

Processing Attacks in Israel and the Outbreak of War in the Region

Facing History and Ourselves has a mini lesson to help students in grades 6-12 process violence, terror, and the loss of life in the wake of attacks in Israel and Israel's declaration of war against Hamas.
Mother and daughter sit on swings in the park and talk

Talking to Children About the Violence in Israel and Gaza

NPR talked to several experts about how parents can approach the current conflict with children. Read the transcript or listen to the original broadcast.
father and son sit outside talking about serious topic

How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime, and War

Common Sense Media gathers tips and conversation starters to help you talk to kids of different ages about the toughest topics.
father and son sitting on a couch and discussing a serious topic

Resilience in a Time of War: Tips for Parents and Teachers of Teens

This article from the American Psychological Association can help adults guide their adolescent children beyond fear and to resilience.
upset Asian girl student sitting on school steps

National Child Traumatic Stress Network

NCTSN provides resources that can be filtered by topic or keyword and by audience with a focus on how adults can identify traumatic responses in young people and how to support them.

Traveling with the NEA President

Becky Pringle and Simone Clark-Cooper on Smile Jamaica
Smile Jamaica host Simone Clark-Cooper interviews NEA President Becky Pringle.

International Women's Day in Jamaica

President Pringle represented NEA and women educators all over the world powerfully in March when she appeared as an international guest speaker at the Jamaica Teachers Association conference celebrating International Women’s Day. JTA is the Caribbean’s largest union. “When women win, everybody wins,” Pringle's told conference attendees. “I don’t need to tell the people in this room that educators lack the dignity and respect and the pay that reflects the important work we do.”

Pringle's visit was featured in The Gleaner, one of Jamaica’s largest national newspapers. She also attended a dinner with the Education Minister and appeared on “Smile Jamaica,” the country’s most popular morning show.

NEA President Becky Pringle and Hanan Al Hroub stand together holding a sign that says Teachers Matter
NEA President Becky Pringle meets Hanan Al Hroub, a GUPT member and the second winner of the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize

A Visit to Israel and Palestine

In January 2023, President Pringle accepted Education International's invitation to participate in a mission to Israel and Palestine to meet with educators, students, union leaders, UN agencies and government officials.

Follow her three-day journey to learn about the work of education unions in the region.

NEA International Relations' Work

Education is a fundamental human right, and though achievable, this right has yet to be realized. In our diverse and interdependent world, dismantling the barriers to universal quality education requires engagement and advocacy at all levels. Through strategic partnerships, campaigns, and advocacy, NEA supports students and educators in our global community to fulfill the promise of quality public education for every student. 

NEA International Relations works to protect students, elevate educator voices, secure human and workers’ rights, and promote strong inclusive public education systems. In addition to policy and advocacy efforts, NEA provides support and resources to U.S. educators on global education. Find more information about the principles and structures that guide NEA International Relations.  

Educator Voice & The Role of Unions

world esp day

Global ESPs United to Increase Respect and Wages

Education Support Professionals (ESPs) from around the world gathered at Education International's World ESP Conference to raise awareness, status and pay.
African female teacher with student in classroom

International Summit on the Teaching Profession

In May, NEA joined education ministers and education union leaders from around the world at the International Summit on the Teaching profession. Convened by OECD, Education International, and the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training of Spain, this forum examined how governments and unions can work together to ensure no student is left behind as we move forward through the pandemic.
An empty classroom

CERD Update

This year the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), charged with ensuring compliance with the Convention of the same name, reviewed U.S. progress in eliminating racial discrimination from laws and practice. NEA submitted a shadow report on racial discrimination in the U.S. education system to the Committee to elevate education as a primary issue in this review.
Panel members at the UN 2022 Transforming Education Summit

Educator Voices Elevated at U.N. Summit

NEA President Becky Pringle joined educator leaders to advocate for their profession before world leaders at the United Nations' Transforming Education Summit.
NEA President Becky Pringle testifies before a Congressional Committee on Gun Violence
“During the pandemic, the light was shining on the inequities in every one of our systems. Teachers are the ones who stood in those gaps. We must ensure they have respect, agency, support. That we lift them up and thank them.”
Quote by: Becky Pringle, NEA President

Human Rights & Democracy

child holding teddy bear behind their back and walking away

Supporting and Educating Migrant Refugee Children

Unaccompanied children who come to the United States often risked their lives to get an education and escape poverty. These educational resources can help educators support and educate those children.
illustration with a print of a hand that says stop human trafficking

Combating Human Trafficking

Human trafficking has no borders and affects students of all demographics. Schools are uniquely positioned to identify and report suspected cases and connect affected students to critical resources. Find ways to join the fight to end human trafficking through these resources and organizations.

Global & Inclusive Education

female high school graduate in cap and gown

No Time to Lose: How to Build a World-Class Education System State by State

Most U.S. state education systems increasingly lag behind the rest of the world, but we have the ability to turn things around and retain our country’s global competitiveness. The National Conference of State Legislatures released a report examining common elements present in world-class education systems that offers insight and recommendations for the immediate improvements our students deserve.
empty classroom from the back of the room

Reimagining our Futures Together: A New Social Contract for Education

This global report from UNESCO's International Commission on the Futures of Education asks what role education can play in shaping our common world and shared future as we look to 2050 and beyond.
Education at a Glance 2022 cover

Education at a Glance 2022

This annual report is the authoritative source for data on the state of education around the world, providing information on the structure, finances, and performance of education systems across OECD countries and partner economies. This year's update focuses on tertiary education while also analyzing the impact of Covid-19 on education policies in 2021 and 2022.
close up of diverse hands stacked on top of each other

Palestinian Students Thrive When They Feel Welcomed in Schools

A Palestinian educator shares her experience and the value of inclusive classrooms.
Terri Butts in stands outside the presidential palace in Peru

NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellowships

Through this one year fellowship, public school educators can develop the knowledge and skills to integrate global competency into their instruction, advocate for global competency in their schools and districts, and help students to thrive in our increasingly interconnected world.
High school student wearing a mask in school

Principles for Effective and Equitable Educational Recovery from COVID

A joint collaboration between Education International and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)- outlines 10 principles for teaching through the pandemic and for a recovery toward effective and equitable education.

Climate Justice

Two young girls protest climate change denying policies

Teach for the Planet

This Education International campaign aims to ensure that climate education, based on science and with a civic action focus, becomes as fundamental as teaching reading and writing.
kid drawing of earth and a separate drawing of fire

Educators on a Heating Planet: Shaping Education Unions’ Vision for a Just Transition

How is climate change altering the education landscape and profession? This study collates the experiences of educators in the face of worsening climate change and aims to encourage dialogue among educators who recognize that climate protection is integral to the future welfare and progress of education unions.
elementary age boy and teacher look over boat engineering project

OECD Investigates Student Readiness to Take on Environmental Challenges

OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) recently released a new report that explores policy solutions and practices that can help students build an environmentally sustainable future.
climate change protest sign that reads Time is Up with image of burning planet

COP 27 Update & Report Out

NEA partner, Education International, shares updates and next steps from the 27th UN climate change conference.

Teaching in Ukraine After a Year of War

As the war on Ukraine continues, only 25 percent of schools across the country are open, but that hasn't stopped Ukraine's educators in finding new ways to educate their students in the war-torn country and help students cope with trauma.

Read more

Global Education Unions Solidarity with Ukraine

Education unions from around the world stand in solidarity. See their messages of support and read Education International and its European Trade Union Committee for Education's joint statement demanding an end to the military aggression and sovereign peace for Ukraine.

Learn More

Sign Up for More

Stay on top of education trends, best practices, and news on the state of public education in the U.S. and abroad but singing up for NEA Today, NEA's biweekly email newsletter.

Section with embed

Federal Education Association Delegates at the 2022 RA

NEA Members Teaching Overseas

The Federal Education Association (FEA) represents thousands of Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) employees in Europe, Asia, the United States and its territories. Our members include teachers and certified staff, education support professionals and retirees. FEA advocates for the rights and benefits of its members, so they can educate and inspire the children of military families throughout the world of DoDEA.
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.