From July 3-6, approximately 7,000 educators will come together in Portland, Ore to set goals and priorities for the nation’s largest labor union at the 168th National Education Association (NEA) Annual Meeting and 104th Representative Assembly (RA).
The RA is the world’s largest democratic deliberative body and the top decision-making body for NEA’s nearly 3 million members. Every year, delegates—representing state and local affiliates, student members, and retired members—come together to draft and debate new policies, adopt a strategic plan and budget, listen to speeches from NEA leaders and other prominent educators, and elect new leaders.
The 2025 RA will be held at the Oregon Convention Center in downtown Portland.
Over the four days, RA delegates will continue to talk about higher pay, better working conditions, mental health support and racial and social justice. But this is also critical moment for millions of America’s educators and the families who depend on our public schools. The Trump Administration is trying to abolish the Department of Education and gut critical programs—to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. NEA has raised awareness of how these destructive actions, along with the proliferation of school voucher schemes, will impact the 50 million students in rural, suburban, and urban communities across the country.
With this assault far from over, building on that advocacy and mobilization and forging a path ahead will be a top priority at this year's RA.
Pre-Conference Highlights
Prior to the RA, the Annual Meeting will kick off with NEA’s Aspiring Educator (AE) Conference, held June 28-July 1. The AE Conference offers future educators the chance to connect with their colleagues, learn about their profession, and act on important education issues.
At the NEA-Retired Annual Meeting, held June 29-30, members will establish legislative and political action goals and celebrate winners of annual communications and distinguished service awards.
On June 29, NEA’s Center for Racial and Social Justice will present the Conference on Racial and Social Justice — a unique space for educators, students, and community members to address fundamental issues of equity and social justice facing public education. This year, the conference will hold special screenings of five films that move people to action and create change.
Celebrating Educators
NEA President Becky Pringle’s keynote address will open the four-day RA on July 3 at approximately 11:30 a.m. (Follow President Pringle throughout the convention at @neapresident.bsky.social.)
Over the next three days, the RA will also hear from 2024 National Teacher of the Year Ashlie Crosson, Education Support Professional (ESP) of the Year Andy Markus and Higher Educator of the Year, Theresa M. Hodge. President of the United Faculty of Florida, Hodge is an innovative Florida math professor and dedicated unionist who has served in almost every possible local and state union role.
Markus is the head custodian in Utah’s Canyons School District and is known for his fierce dedication to safe, clean, and welcoming learning environments. Markus also holds after-school counseling sessions with students and is a vocal and effective advocate for ESPs in the state legislature.
An English teacher at Mifflin County High School in Lewistown, PA, Crosson also teaches Survival Stories, an elective that explores global humanitarian crises through a youth-centered lens. Crosson also advises the journalism program and oversees the production of the school newspaper and district magazine.
Addressing Critical Issues
At every RA, the delegates take on some of the most pressing issues facing public education and will consider a host of new business items (NBIs) that will define much of NEA’s advocacy work going forward.
Follow all the latest RA news at www.nea.org/RA and #NEARA.
