PORTLAND, Ore. — At NEA’s annual Representative Assembly (RA), educators took an unprecedented step to respond to the demands of the time and sustain their momentum—disrupting business as usual by boldly embracing a transformative shift to strengthen the movement for public education that has been growing in every district and state since January.
In an unprecedented move, delegates to the NEA RA voted to spend nearly one day of their meeting training and empowering thousands of members with the knowledge, strategies, and tools they need to build campaigns and organize effectively to protect and strengthen public education in communities nationwide. Nearly 7,000 educators will return home ready to advocate for their students and colleagues—at the bargaining table, in school board meetings, at state legislatures, and at the ballot box.
“We must use our power to take action that leads, action that liberates, action that lasts,” said NEA President Becky Pringle in her address to delegates. “We are going to Educate. Communicate. Organize. Mobilize. Litigate. Legislate. Elect.”
Demonstrating their unwavering commitment to reversing harmful education cuts, advancing equity and inclusion for every student and educator—regardless of ZIP code, race, or identity—and renewing the promise of democracy, delegates participated in intensive training sessions designed to equip them with the skills and strategies needed to lead effective advocacy efforts in their communities and across every district and state nationwide.
The trainings covered a range of topics, including effective advocacy, fighting vouchers and privatization, promoting inclusive and just schools, protecting immigrant students and building power for the common good. Delegates were quick to sign up, with most sessions reaching capacity within hours of registration opening.
In the wake of unprecedented attacks from state legislatures and with the current administration and outside interests more focused on providing tax breaks for billionaires than protecting children, NEA has been leading the charge for education and racial justice. Since January, union members, family and friends have flocked to NEA’s advocacy channels, sending hundreds of thousands of messages to Congress that demand our lawmakers protect public education and embrace diversity. In fact, some 30% of the messages sent to Congress were sent from people new to NEA’s activist universe. That energy and enthusiasm has been on display at walk-ins, rallies, and marches across the country and, no doubt, played a role in NEA being poised to finish the year with a net increase in membership.
“We cannot simply fight against,” added Pringle. “We must also fight forward: for our vision of a public school system where every student—every one—attends a school that is safe, welcoming, and plentiful in resources; a school where every student is celebrated for who they know themselves to be; a school that is steeped in excellence and care; where education justice is recognized as a birthright; where educators—you—are valued as the professionals you are.”
On the final day, delegates from across the nation came together with focus and determination—dedicating their time to learning, strategizing, and organizing campaigns designed to build enduring power in their communities. Fueled by the momentum they’ve created throughout the gathering, they left equipped with the tools, knowledge, and resources needed not just to sustain that energy, but to amplify it.
“Our educators will leave energized and prepared to carry their learnings back to every corner of the country—ready to engage with school boards, town halls, state legislatures, and even Congress,” said Pringle. “United in purpose, they are ready to keep advocating for their students, schools, and communities—facing the challenges to public education head-on with renewed strength and solidarity.”
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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org.
