Who We Are, Why We Teach
Teachers work more hours than ever--and get on average 32 minutes for lunch. Forty-two percent see more than 100 students a day. All face more testing requirements. More, more, more. Why teach? Because the rewards can be great (even if the pay often isn't).
Getting Organized
The roster for Georgia's Organization of DeKalb Educators has surged from 500 to 3,100 members in just six years. Here's how.
Spotlight
Wondering how some folks are getting it done? NEA members in New Brunswick, New Jersey, are putting a commitment to meaningful reform to the test. Watch them from the starting line.
ESP
New York support professionals bargain a powerful contract and gain "newfound respect" after extensive negotiating and strong showing of solidarity.
People
Meet Betsy Rogers, the nation's Teacher of the Year, and Idaho custodian Martin Meyer, the 2003 NEA Education Support Professional of the Year. "If you don't let the negative things build up," says Meyer, "you can enjoy the prositives--and there are a lot of positive things in education."
Last Bell
When it comes to living the educator's life, feel as though you didn't learn everything you needed to know in college? Then check out these practical insights from North Carolina veteran teacher Tina Hicks Whitten.
Health & Fitness
Want to make sure you can feel good as the stresses of the school year mount? Have we got a plan for you! Grab a couple of colleagues, get some running shoes, and check out the NEA Fitness Challenge. (There will even be prizes!)
NEAFT Report
NEA and the American Federation of Teachers team up to defeat vouchers in Missouri and defend collective bargaining rights on Florida college campuses.
Parent Involvement
NEA members work with parents to get preschoolers off to a good start and to put dads front and center in their kid's education.
Outreach to Teach
A Louisiana school got a coat of fresh paint, landscaping, and even a new staff lounge as part of the NEA Student Program's Outreach to Teach annual event. Nearly 300 NEA members--teachers, ESPs, NEA-Retired and Higher Ed members--joined in the program that offers long-term assistance to low-performing schools. And NEA Student members (preservice teachers) got hands-on experience in connecting to a community through its school.
