On July 5, almost 6,000 delegates elected a slate of officers, during NEA’s Representative Assembly (RA) in Denver—ushering in a new era of leaders as the association looks to build on its priorities and meet the challenges ahead.
With the votes counted, delegates elected Princess Moss, an elementary school music teacher from Virginia, as president, Noel Candelaria as vice president, and Robert Valera Rodriguez, as secretary-treasurer through NEA’s democratic election process, reflecting the collective voice of nearly 3 million educators and education support professionals across the country.
The newly elected officers will assume office on September 1 and will lead the union’s work to strengthen public education, ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed, and champion the educators and education support professionals who make that possible every day.
“It is an honor to serve as president of the National Education Association. I step into this role inspired by the dedication of the millions of educators who show up every day for their students and communities,” said President-elect Moss in a news release.
Quote byPrincess Moss, NEA President-Elect
The People Powering the Next Chapter
The elected officers take the helm at a time of uncertainty for public education, as the Trump administration pursues sweeping changes, including efforts to move responsibility for special education programs out of the U.S. Department of Education, expand access to federally supported voucher programs, and roll back protections for LGBTQ+ students.
Moss’s vision is to transform the union from an organization that mobilizes in response to threats into one that organizes continuously, building year-round member engagement and advocacy to meet these challenges and more.
As a skilled organizer and an outspoken ally of students, educators, and families—especially those from historically marginalized communities—Moss has consistently worked to build collective power and elevate educators’ voices. As president, she plans to build on that work by strengthening educators’ professional authority and ensuring their voices continue to shape decisions affecting students and public education.
Who is the Next NEA Vice President?
Candelaria is a proud high school special education teacher from El Paso, Texas, who began his career as a teacher’s aide. He is the first-generation son of Mexican immigrants who instilled within him the value of a quality public education. As a result, he learned firsthand about the transformative power of public education, how the influence of one educator knows no limits, and that when woven together, the two form a direct pathway toward the American dream.
For more than two decades, he has organized alongside members to build collective and political power to advance racial, social, and economic justice for students, educators, and communities. As a former local president, state president, and current NEA Secretary-Treasurer, Candelaria understands that NEA’s strength begins with strong locals and engaged members.
His vision during his term as vice president will be rooted in organizing, including investing in leadership, growing the union, and building the power needed to protect public education.
Who is the Next Secretary-Treasurer?
Robert Valera Rodriguez is a special education teacher in California’s San Bernardino City Unified School District and previously served on NEA’s Executive Committee. A teacher for nearly 20 years, Rodriguez has taught in special education classrooms at elementary and middle schools. He also has taught special day classes and served as a resource specialist.
A leader in education reform and a champion for diversity and LGBTQ+ rights in schools, Rodriguez believes real and lasting change for educators, students, and public education can only be realized through organizing and collective action.
As the secretary-treasurer-elect, his vision is powerfully simple: “Ensure a strategic budget that is transparent, accountable, and driven by the real voices and needs of our members,” he says, adding that the NEA budget is a moral document that drives the work of NEA.
Ready to Serve
Two NEA Executive Committee members were also elected at this year’s RA. Cecily Myart-Cruz, an elementary and middle school teacher from Los Angeles and president of the United Teachers Los Angeles, and Shannon McCann, a middle school special education teacher from Seattle, Washington, will both serve three-year terms.
Beginning her career as an education support professionals, Myart-Cruz has spent the last 30 years advocating for students and her colleagues. She has a long track record of standing up for academic freedom and LGBTQ+ rights, as well as building the organizing power to advance policies that support students, educators, and strong public schools.
“I am deeply honored to serve on the NEA Executive Committee, and I carry with me the voices of educators, students, parents, and communities who got us here,” said Myart-Cruz. “I look forward to serving the three million members of NEA in this new capacity using my skillset of coalition building, organizing, leadership, relationship building and more to this role.
McCann was first elected to the NEA Executive Committee in 2023 for a three-year term. In her first term, McCann ignited passion among members, centering member voice and student experience to create the nation’s first multi-local art build. Returning to the committee, McCann will focus on securing full funding for public education, increasing wages, strengthening union membership, and defending democracy.
“I will continue to bring my experience in organizing, bargaining, and coalition building to this role, fighting for the pay, respect, and support every educator deserves and every student needs," said McCann. "I believe an inclusive union is a strong union, and that strong locals mean a strong state, a strong nation, and a strong democracy. Together, we will keep organizing, keep advocating, and keep building a public education system worthy of all our students.”
The Executive Committee consists of nine members—three executive officers and six members. The six Executive Committee members are elected at-large by the Representative Assembly. The Executive Committee is responsible for general policy and interests of NEA and acts for the NEA Board of Directors between its regularly scheduled meetings.
