NEA: Democracy in Action

You are the NEA! For 147 years, through boom and bust, war and peace, and one education craze after another, the National Education Association has supported the teachers and education support professionals who are in America’s classrooms and workplaces, so that you can focus on democracy’s greatest promise—providing a free, quality, public education to all children. We have served as your national voice for public schools.

Photo by Sandy Schaeffer

How have we managed through all these years to not only survive, but thrive?

I believe that democracy has been the key.

Our headquarters are in Washington, D.C., but we derive all of our power and influence from our members—2.7 million teachers, education support professionals, college faculty, and student and retired educators located in every state of the union. It is our members and our democratic process that keep us strong and relevant.

NEA's budget, dues structure, and strategic plan are all a part of our democratic process. Policy positions and legislative programs are voted on by democratically elected representatives of our 2.7 million members during our annual meeting—the NEA Representative Assembly. Candidate recommendations for the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate are approved by NEA's PAC Council, which comprises democratically elected presidents of our state Associations. An NEA recommendation for a United States presidential candidate is approved by both the NEA PAC Council and the Representative Assembly. And, among NEA's strongest testaments to its democratic process, is the secret ballot vote for NEA officers.

I remind you of our processes because I believe that you must be prepared when NEA detractors try to separate you from your Association. NEA's commitment to democracy enables every NEA member to say—"I am the NEA"—and know it is true. You must always be mindful of this—especially now, when you are under attack.

For whatever ideological reason, this Administration put NEA in their crosshairs and made a conscious decision to exclude you from the education reform table—yet expects you to reform education. And, despite our continual efforts to engage and work with the Administration, we remain absent from their education table and targets of their wrath.

The so-called No Child Left Behind law (NCLB)—as it is currently crafted—will leave millions of children behind and do immeasurable harm to public education and public school educators. The fact that NEA has a laser focus on fixing and funding NCLB does not make us terrorists. And, because we have always stood fast for that which enhances educational opportunities for all children and students does not make us obstructionist, or segregationist, or a coalition of the whining.

Fortunately, since sounding the alarm about the pitfalls in the implementation and funding of this law, we have received a groundswell of support in our efforts.

NEA has worked to bring about common sense flexibility to the implementation of this law—such as the recent changes in regulations that affect special education students and students with limited English—and we expect to accomplish more positive results in the future. We appreciate all of the hard work of our NEA friends and colleagues who are committed to enlightening the Administration to the needs of children, students, and public education.

NEA's leadership answers to NEA's membership—and when I speak, I am the collective voice of teachers and educators who are in America's classrooms, focused on teaching America's children. Our members are in countries all around the world, teaching the children of America's servicemen and women. And, lest we forget, our members are members of the armed forces, fighting for the rights and privileges that we all share!

Thanks for being a member of Team NEA, and please know that I appreciate you for who you are and for what you do. This year will be a challenging one for all NEA members because there is so much at stake in this election and beyond. Energize, organize, and mobilize for children, students, and public education! You are the NEA!

NEA President Reg Weaver