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.
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.
Advocate for your rights & working conditions.
Achieve professional excellence and become a leader in your profession.
Advance justice with us.
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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
In 2022, politicians introduced more than 250 anti-LGBTQ+ bills into state legislatures.
Let’s bring real change
“My identity is not political, and the fact that these things have been [blown out of proportion], involving our government, and threatening the rights of a community of people … is such a dystopian idea to me. To have something removed from your classroom that represents your belonging there and the community you identify with … is disheartening.”
— Rachel Fretard, high school senior, Connecticut
Read how a community worked together to reinstate pride flags in a Connecticut school
The higher education system has become increasingly dependent on temporary labor: nearly 70% of U.S. faculty members held a contingent position in fall 2021.
Let’s bring real change
“Every faculty member who works [in higher education] should have an adequate wage. They should have health insurance and more resources so they can be the wonderful professor that every student deserves. If I had to have an extended stay in a hospital, I could be wiped out financially.”
— Walter Harper, adjunct professor, Massachusetts
Read: Life as a Contingent Faculty Member
Politicians across the U.S. are banning books, censoring curricula, and passing state laws that limit classroom lessons on race and gender.
Let’s bring real change
“Our school libraries cannot be battlegrounds, because ultimately the ones who lose are the kids, and especially our most vulnerable kids. Denying students material about the history of race and racism in America and the lives of LGBTQ people, or books with characters who survive sexual assault, does them a huge disservice.”
— Kathleen Daniels, school librarian, Florida
How librarians serve our school communities
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.
- Bullying
- Collective Bargaining
- College Affordability
- COVID-19
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Education Funding
- English Language Learning
- Federal Legislation
- Gun Violence
- Immigration
- Mental Health
- Politics & Campaigns
- Privatization
- Racial & Social Justice
- School Climate
- Trauma
- Voting Rights
- Workplace Conditions
Teaching Juneteenth and the Meaning of Freedom
Although Juneteenth is commemorated when most K-12 schools are on summer break, it remains a valuable part of our nation's history and an essential reminder of slavery's legacy in the United States. To help educators include it in their curricular materials, we've compiled background reading, lessons, and recommended book lists.
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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.