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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 President Becky Pringle
“Our educators are underpaid and disrespected. The question is—what is the nation, what are we, going to do to honor, diversify and respect this profession?”
Quote by: Becky Pringle, NEA President

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

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

A profile view of Walter Harper wearing a suit, sitting on a bench.
“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

kathleen daniels
“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

Native students studying Native languages have better attendance rate, are more likely to graduate, and have better mental health.

Let’s bring real change

Cody Van
“My biggest fear is to see the Cherokee language die. I want to grab [students] by the shoulders and say, it’s dying. Your identity is in the midst of its death. Wake up! Do something about it.”
— Cody Vann, Cherokee language and culture teacher, Tahlequah High School, Oklahoma
Learn how educators are working to preserve Native languages

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.
Graphic of tropical plants and the words "Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month"

Teaching Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage

To help celebrate and educate about the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and their culture and history, check out our curated list of lessons, activities, videos, and more.
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.