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WASHINGTON ― Nearly 8,000 educator delegates from every state will come together virtually to address the pressing issues facing schools, students and educators during the National Education Association’s 100th Representative Assembly (RA) on June 30–July 3. The RA will be conducted remotely out of an abundance of caution as communities across America continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Lifelong disability rights activist Judith Heumann will receive NEA’s highest honor — NEA’s Friend of Education Award — in a virtual chat with NEA President Becky Pringle. Additional distinguished guests will be announced.
The RA is the top decision-making body for the more than 3 million-member NEA and sets Association policy for the coming year. NEA’s RA is the world’s largest democratic deliberative body. Delegates will complete an agenda that will include adoption of a budget, election of executive committee members, and will again address new business items. Results of elections will be announced in August, due to voting being conducted by mail.
The 2021 RA is open and accessible to delegates only, with the exception of speeches from NEA officers and visiting dignitaries. No visitors or media access will be granted to other portions of the RA program. NEA will make available remarks and video from speakers as available. All live streamed events and other information for credentialed press will be contained on the RA press site located here.
Requests for press credentials for the virtual RA can be submitted here.
Delegates will conduct the following business during the virtual RA, with times subject to change:
Wednesday, June 30, 2021:
- Keynote address from NEA President Becky Pringle
Thursday, July 1, 2021:
- Remarks from Kimberly Scott-Hayden, 2021 Education Support Professional of the Year
- Remarks from Julius Thomas, 2021 Higher Educator of the Year
- Remarks from NEA Executive Director Kim Anderson
Friday, July 2, 2021:
- Remarks from Juliana Urtubey, 2021 National Teacher of the Year
- Presentation of NEA’s 2021 Friend of Education award to disability rights activist Judith Heumann
More resources are available at www.nea.org/ra
Follow on Twitter at @BeckyPringle and @NEAToday
Keep up with the conversation on social media at #NEARA2021
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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 and public and healthcare employees. Learn more at www.nea.org.
