Louisiana teacher elected to NEA Executive Committee

PORTLAND, Ore.—A dedicated Louisiana educator has been elected to the executive committee of the National Education Association, the nation’s largest labor union. Dr. Tia T. Mills was chosen by thousands of fellow educators at the NEA’s Representative Assembly. 

Mills—a special education teacher from Baton Rouge and the current president of the Louisiana Association of Educators—brings nearly two decades of experience, a bold commitment to social justice, and a proven history of mobilizing public support for public schools. She will now contribute her invaluable expertise and inexhaustible energy to NEA’s mission to ensure every student has access to a quality public education, regardless of their ZIP codes. Her leadership comes at a time when communities nationwide are gathering to confront rising challenges and unprecedented opportunities for our public schools.

“Dr. Tia Mills has been an inspirational leader in Louisiana, and I am confident she will bring that same commitment to NEA’s national efforts advocating for equity and racial and social justice in public education,” said NEA President Becky Pringle. “She leads with passion and purpose and understands what it means to build power from the ground up. Tia’s voice will be an extraordinary asset to the Executive Committee as we continue to work for the public schools all our students deserve and the respect all educators have earned.”

A strong and tireless advocate for students and their educators, Mills has received numerous accolades, including the NAACP’s Benjamin Hooks Keeper of the Flame Award, the NEA Foundation’s Horace Mann Award, and recognition as one of Southern University’s 40 Under 40. Her leadership extends beyond the classroom, serving on the board of Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana, the U.S. Advisory Commission on Civil Rights for Louisiana, and the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus Foundation. Mills’ courageous advocacy will be a driving force as NEA continues its pursuit of equity, excellence, and a flourishing democracy in classrooms and on campuses nationwide.

“It’s been such a joy to be gathered with my union siblings from across the country,” said Mills. “I saw a room filled with people with passion and dedication for our association. I’m so eager to bring their voices and their values with me into my service on the Executive Committee.”

Nearly 7,000 educators are in Portland, Oregon, for the 168th Annual Meeting and 104th RA, the organization’s top decision-making body, which sets Association policy for the coming year. Delegates will complete an agenda, which includes adopting a budget, a legislative agenda for the next year, electing executive committee members, and addressing new business items.

For more information on NEA’s Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly, go to www.nea.org/ra

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 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.