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.
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
Educators are underpaid—making 80 cents on the dollar compared to other professionals.
Let’s bring real change
“Our students deserve fully funded classrooms. Our teachers and support staff need to be able to afford to do the jobs they love. Now isn’t the time to rest.”
— Betty Collins, an eighth-grade teacher, Oklahoma
Educator Pay and Student Spending in Your State
During the pandemic, many educators faced anxiety and other mental health issues that contributed to them deciding to leave the profession.
Let’s bring real change
[The new attention to staff’s health is one good thing to come out of the pandemic.] “Instead of going through the Employee Assistance Program, where you have to go through the whole approval process and then only get six sessions, you’ll have somebody in-house who will just be a phone call away. You can say, ‘hey I’m having a hard time. Can you give me some strategies now to get through the day?’”
— Vanessa Jimenez, Phoenix Union Classified Employees Association president
Learn more about how the pandemic is affecting our schools.
For years, certain elected leaders have deprived schools in communities of color and rural districts of vital resources.
Let’s bring real change
“Public education can be so much more than what it is today. We need to build more relationships with people in our community and help parents advocate to those they elect to school boards. We need to agitate elected leaders and hold their feet to the fire.”
— Karen Moore, special education teacher, Illinois
Explore the issues, join the movement, and take action
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.
Educators Call for Healthy School Meals for All Students
NEA supports a new bill to permanently provide all kids with free school meals, which would eliminate burdensome paperwork and the stigma and embarrassment of kids who qualify for free lunch.
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From education news to action alerts to member benefits-we're here to help you succeed in your career, advocate for your students, and support public education. Sign up to stay informed.
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.