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Top Ten Reasons to Join NEA

Joining NEA means you'll be part of an unstoppable movement bringing better learning and working conditions for students, educators, and communities.
Published: June 2020

Joining NEA is about ensuring that you have the working conditions you need, your students get the schools they deserve, and your community becomes more just and equitable place–for all of us.

No matter your passion, position, or location, NEA will help you:

1. Have a voice at the table

NEA Members rally Red For Ed at the RA

There’s power in numbers. Joining the association gives you greater influence over the decisions that affect your classroom and career. Whether you advocate for changes in your school; speak at school board meetings; advocate for increased school funding at the state and local level; or lobby your state legislators and city/county board members; your local will support you.

2. Earn increased pay and benefits

As part of your local association, you can fight for professional pay, health care, and retirement security so a career in education is a viable profession.

3. Grow in your professional practice

Your local association helps you advocate for access to high-quality professional learning and increased collaboration time so you can improve your practice. Your association (and that means you and your co-workers!) can work with the school district to develop mentoring and other support from more experienced colleagues.

4. Be supported by a nation-wide community of educators

teacher and paraeducator with students

When you are a member of your local association, you are also a member of your state affiliate and the national NEA. The association is your way to connect with like minded colleagues across the district, state, and nation who are working to better students’ lives.

5. Carry out a commitment to social justice

As a member of the association, you join forces with fellow educators to make a difference in the social justice issues that matter most to you. The association works to achieve equity in schools and can provide training to members to develop new strategies.

ethnic studies now sign

6. See improved working and student learning conditions at your worksite

Local associations empower educators to advocate for smaller class size, less standardized testing, input into curriculum, and safe buildings, just to name a few. These working conditions mean a better learning environment for your students.

7. Create positive change in your workplace

The association can work with the administration as a partner and collaborate with the PTA and other community organizations to resolve issues in your school. As an educator who works with the children, you can work with the administration to solve problems together.

8. Get enhanced rights

A collective bargaining agreement is an enforceable legal document that protects your rights. It contains a formal procedure for advancing grievances with support of an expert (UniServ staff). Even if your state doesn’t allow collective bargaining agreements, your association will be there for you to offer guidance, advice, and legal representation if necessary.

9. Get liability insurance

Because the liability potential can be so serious (and your employer doesn’t always have your back) for individuals employed by schools and other educational units, NEA provides all eligible association members with professional liability insurance through the NEA Educators Employment Liability (EEL) Program.

10. Save money with NEA Member Benefits

Improve your buying power and save money with NEA’s Member Benefits program that offers extensive benefits and discounts.

Librarian leans over seated students at the library who are reading a book

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National Education Association

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.