Published: October 3, 2025
First Appeared In NEA Today, October 2025
Dear NEA members,
I am honored to serve as your president.
United, we will reclaim public education as a common good and transform it into a racially and socially just system that actually prepares every student—not one, not some, but every single student—to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world. Onward!
Becky Pringle
NEA President
Quote by—Becky, addressing nearly 7,000 delegates at NEA’s 2025 Representative Assembly, in Portland, Ore.
“You are the holders of hope and the keepers of dreams. You provide love and care to our students and to each other. … Our country is depending on us, on this community, to lead the way … from dogmatism back to decency and democracy.”
——Becky, addressing nearly 7,000 delegates at NEA’s 2025 Representative Assembly, in Portland, Ore.
Face to Face with NEA members
This summer in Chicago, I joined hundreds of labor and community leaders from across the country to collaborate and build power. Our goal? To raise our collective voice for workers, not billionaires! During my time in the Windy City, I talked with state and local affiliate leaders who strategized with us, and partners, about organizing and mobilizing to fight back and fight forward in the face of unprecedented attacks on public education, workers’ rights, and our democracy. As I spoke with these dedicated members, I was so moved by their commitment to speaking out and taking action to ensure every public school is a place of dignity, opportunity, and respect.
JOIN ME
3 Things To Do For Yourself and Your Union
Be that trusted adult for a student.
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Research shows that having at least one trusted adult at school can minimize the mental health toll of bullying. Find out how you can help a bullied student at nea.org/BullyFree.
Resist!
Attacks on public education are coming fast and furious. We must take action to protect our students and schools. Find out how NEA is aligning with local and state affiliates so our members can build power together for educators, students, and public education at nea.org/Protect.
Say no to vouchers.
Voucher schemes strip desperately needed funds from public schools and direct it to unaccountable private schools instead. Much of the money goes to families with children who already attend private school, leaving our public schools with even fewer resources. We must continue to fight vouchers at the ballot box and in our communities. Learn more at nea.org/Vouchers.
In the News: Protecting Students
“Parents, educators, and community leaders won’t be silent as Trump and his allies take a wrecking ball to public schools and the futures of the 50 million students in rural, suburban, and urban communities across America. We will continue to organize, advocate, and mobilize until all students have the opportunity to attend the well-resourced public schools where they can thrive.”
—Becky, New York Times, July 15, 2025
What I’m Reading
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), on Nov. 29, and the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, on July 26. To honor these milestones, I’m learning about the disability justice movement by reading Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century, edited by Alice Wong. This inspirational must-read brings together essays from writers with disabilities, advocates, and activists, who share stories and perspectives from the disability community.
The collection highlights progress that’s been made since IDEA went into effect and encourages important conversations about inclusion in education. An informative and a compelling read, it’s on NEA’s Disability Booklist! As we mark these meaningful anniversaries, we must continue to demand that Congress fully fund IDEA for special education students. Learn more at nea.org/IDEA.
Learn More
Find out how NEA is working every day for educators, students, and public schools in “NEA in Action”
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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.