Bill Farmer
Bill Farmer is a high school science teacher from Evanston, Illinois, with over two decades of classroom experience. He was elected to the NEA Executive Committee in 2025 for a three-year term.
Bill began his career teaching high school biology and chemistry in 2003 at Evanston Township High School District 202 in Evanston, Illinois. In addition to his work in the classroom, he has served as an instructional coach and a summer school director. An inspirational and admired educator, Bill was selected as a finalist for Illinois Teacher of the Year in 2018, in recognition of his innovative and inclusive instruction.
He has represented Illinois on the NEA Board of Directors for six years, served three years on the NEA Budget Committee, and chaired the NEA Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Committee for a three-year term. He also served as the chair of the IEA’s Legislative Platform Committee and was elected to three terms as the local president of the Evanston Township High School Teachers’ Council.
Bill is deeply committed to dismantling systems that perpetuate inequities in our society at the local, state, and national levels. He served on NEA’s Task Force on Safe, Just, and Equitable Schools. In addition, he has facilitated professional development sessions to promote safe and supportive school environments for LGBTQ+ students and staff.
As our public schools continue to face increasing attacks from powerful political opponents, Bill believes that unions and public schools are uniquely positioned to advance racial, social and economic justice. He is committed to advocating for a better future for his students and union colleagues and is determined to help create a world that embraces the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Bill holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in biological sciences with a concentration in neuroscience from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and a Master of Arts degree in school administration from Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois.
Gladys Fátima Márquez
Gladys Fátima Márquez is a high school bilingual English Language Learners (ELL) Teacher with over 25 years of classroom experience. She was elected to the NEA Executive Committee in 2021 for her first three-year term and in 2024 for a second 3-year term.
As the past chair of the NEA Hispanic Caucus, Gladys organized nationwide events to raise awareness about the plight of immigrants in America, including “Teach-Ins” at immigration detention centers, humanitarian missions to shelters at the border, and helped organize massive marches in protest of the national policy leading to the separation of immigrant families and the incarceration of immigrant children.
Gladys also lobbied and led efforts in support of a clean Dream Act and fought for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), advocated for Deferred Action for Parental Adjustment (DAPA), and helped facilitate countless “Know-Your-Rights” clinics to help protect immigrant communities across the nation. Her goal has always been focused on the advocacy and protection of those living in the shadows of America’s broken immigration system.
Gladys began her education career in Midlothian, Illinois in 1996 working as a parent liaison, Spanish language translator, in her sons’ elementary school. In 2000, she began her teaching career as a 7th grade bilingual/ELL student and has since taught students in grades ranging from kindergarten to adult education.
Gladys holds a bachelor’s degree in English/Language Arts Education, a Master of Arts in secondary school administration, and a Doctor of Education in multi- and interdisciplinary studies, all from Governors State University in University Park, Illinois.
Ron Duff Martin
Ron Duff Martin is a middle school social studies teacher in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, with more than two decades of experience teaching social studies at the middle level. He was elected to the National Education Association (NEA) Executive Committee in 2021 and was re-elected to a second three-year term in 2024.
Duff made history as the first Native American elected to the NEA Executive Committee as well as president of the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC), Wisconsin's largest educators' union. Throughout his career, he has championed public education, equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all students and educators.
His leadership has included service as WEAC vice president and secretary-treasurer, president of the Eau Claire Association of Educators, and a director on the NEA Board of Directors. Duff also served as the chair, vice chair and treasurer of the American Indian Alaska Native Caucus as well as serving on NEA's Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee. He has represented educators on state and national initiatives focused on school safety, restorative practices, diversity, and strengthening the educator's workforce. Duff is especially passionate about mentoring new educators, supporting educators of color and education support professionals, and building strong local unions.
GSAFE, the Gay Straight Alliance for Safe Schools, honored Duff as the Activist of the Year in 2021 for his work in creating safer, more inclusive school environments for LGBTQ+ youth. Duff is deeply committed to equity in education and his belief in empowering educators to take intentional, supportive actions — from choosing affirming language to encouraging students. He also emphasized the importance of partnerships between unions and organizations like GSAFE to foster leaders who can create safe spaces for all students.
In 2026 the American Indian Alaska Native Caucus recently bestowed on Duff the status of elder.
Beyond education, Duff serves on the Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools. He currently serves as president of the Eau Claire Patriotic Council. He earned his bachelor's degree in education from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire.
Shannon McCann
Shannon McCann is a middle school special education teacher from Seattle, Washington. She was elected to the NEA Executive Committee in 2023 for a three-year term. Delegates re-elected Shannon to a second three-year term in 2026.
As the immediate past president of the Federal Way Education Association (FWEA), Shannon proudly served ESPs and certificated and athletic coaches in one of the most diverse school districts in the nation.
As the FWEA local president, Shannon led the organizing efforts for several transformational bargains resulting in historic salary increases and increased student supports. In addition, she ignited passion among members, centering member voice and student experience to create the nation’s first multi-local Art Build.
Shannon is a founding partner in the first union-run WEA Teacher Residency Program, which removes barriers and diversifies the profession. In addition to increasing educator voice in the legislative arena, her local helped elect several pro-public education legislators.
Shannon served two three-year terms on the NEA Board of Directors and was also appointed as the chair of NEA’s Strategic Committee on Legislation and twice elected to the NEA Strategic Plan and Budget Committee. As a longtime advocate for racial and social justice, Shannon served on NEA’s Task Force on Safe, Just, and Equitable Schools. She also started the first middle school gay-straight alliance in her district, was the longtime co-president of the Washington Education Association LGBTQ+ Caucus, and the recipient of the 2018 NEA LGBTQ+ Caucus Carol Watchler award.
Shannon is known for her unapologetic and relentless advocacy and influence in the state of Washington. As a result, she was selected as a fellow to the prestigious Institute for a Democratic Future and later appointed by the lieutenant governor to the Washington State Leadership Board.
Shannon believes that an inclusive union is a strong union, and that strong locals mean a strong state, nation and democracy.
Originally from Canada, Shannon brings perspective as an immigrant and first-generation college student to the work of fulfilling the mission of the NEA. She now lives in Seattle with her wife, who is also a life-long public-school educator.
Dr. Tia T. Mills
Dr. Tia Trumaine Mills is a special education teacher from Baton Rouge, La., with more than 20 years of classroom experience. Dr. Mills was elected to the NEA Executive Committee in 2025 for a three-year term.
Dr. Mills is the immediate past president of the Louisiana Association of Educators (LAE) and the youngest person to serve in the association's history. In her capacity as president of LAE, she served as the official spokeswoman where her primary duties included leading the association's efforts at the Louisiana State Legislature and the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meetings.
She also served as local president of the East Baton Rouge Parish Association of Educators (EBRPAE) for seven years. As president, Dr. Mills led the association's efforts in the fight to enhance the salaries of district employees by convincing the school board to unfreeze educators' pay schedules. She was also instrumental in helping increase membership in the local by 30 percent during her term and led the association's push for fair standards for the state's Industrial Tax Exemption Program.
Dr. Mills' state-level activism includes her service on the LAE Board of Directors, as well as the Board of Trustees for the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana. In 2017, LAE honored Dr. Mills with the association's top honor, the LAE Teacher Image Award.
A strong and fierce advocate for students and their educators, Dr. Mills has received numerous accolades, including the NAACP’s Benjamin Hooks Keeper of the Flame Award, the NEA Foundation’s Horace Mann Award, and was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award by the Southern University Alumni Federation in July 2026.
Dr. Mills is affiliated with several professional and civic organizations, including the Southern University Alumni Federation, the NAACP, 100 Black Women of Metropolitan Baton Rouge, and is a proud member of the Tau Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Dr. Mills believes that the fight for public education and labor is inseparable from the fight for equity and racial and social justice. As an adjunct professor at Southern University in Baton Rouge, she hopes to inspire a new generation of activist leaders to uphold the NEA’s rich legacy of fighting for great public schools for every student.
Dr. Mills earned her Bachelor of Arts in history, Master of Arts in social science with a concentration in history, and an alternative certification in special education, all from Southern University and A&M College. She received her EdD in higher education and organizational leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
Cecily Myart-Cruz
Cecily Myart‑Cruz is a Los Angeles–based educator, activist, and union leader with nearly three decades of classroom experience in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).
A proud LAUSD mother and graduate of LA public schools, she completed high school at 16, earned an associate degree from community college, and received her bachelor’s degree in child development from Mount Saint Mary’s University. She also holds graduate degrees in education and in educational administration and leadership from Pepperdine University and National University.
In 2026, Myart‑Cruz was elected to a three‑year term on the NEA Executive Committee, bringing her deep experience in racial and social justice advocacy, coalition building, and organizing to a national platform. She is the Immediate Past President of United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), where she made history as the first woman of color to lead the union in its 56‑year history. Before her presidency, she served six years as UTLA/NEA Vice President, building on years of leadership within the UTLA West Area.
Throughout her career, Myart‑Cruz has championed educator‑led movements for equity, student well‑being, and community power. As an Area Chair, she partnered with school communities to remove more than 30 “bully lemon principals,” organized boycotts of excessive district assessments, and worked with parents, students, and educators to resist harmful charter co‑locations. Her leadership helped expand Ethnic Studies across LAUSD and advance policies that ended the criminalization of youth while elevating student voice.
As UTLA President, Myart‑Cruz guided the union through the early months of the COVID‑19 pandemic, organizing members and families behind some of the strongest health and safety standards in the country. Her leadership helped secure agreements that kept LAUSD one of the safest large urban districts nationwide. She oversaw the development of UTLA’s 2022 Beyond Recovery platform, a community‑driven roadmap for meeting student needs during a period of historic investment in public education.
In 2023, she stood in solidarity with SEIU Local 99 in a landmark joint action, and in 2026 helped build a powerful coalition among LAUSD’s three labor unions—SEIU Local 99, AALA Teamsters, and UTLA.
On the national stage, Myart‑Cruz has contributed her leadership to the National Education Association (NEA) in multiple capacities, including training members on bargaining and collective action, advancing Making Black Lives Matter in Schools, serving as Chair of the NEA Black Caucus, and participating as an observer on the NEA Board of Directors. Her committee work spans critical areas, including Human and Civil Rights, Community Schools, and Safe, Just, and Equitable Schools. Alongside her union leadership, she remains a committed grassroots activist and proud member of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles.
Myart‑Cruz brings to the NEA Executive Committee a lifelong commitment to racial justice, community partnership, and educator voice. “I am deeply honored to serve on the NEA Executive Committee,” she says. “I carry with me the voices of educators, students, parents, and communities who got us here. Together, we will grow our collective power, defend our profession, and fight for the freedoms our students and educators deserve.”
