Formerly a Florida news reporter, Mary Ellen has written for NEA for 21 years, covering everything from the need for guaranteed bathroom breaks for teachers to the plight of students with undocumented parents to the need for more recess in schools.
Her current beat is higher education, union power, and anything that educators are talking about. She's recently extended her talents to audio journalism and training NEA staff and members on the art of storytelling.
The Latest from Mary Ellen Flannery
5 Things to Know with NEA's Read Across America Author Dan Gill
Dan Gill, an NEA member for 55 years, is the author of "No More Chairs."
Who is Sara Lopez Garcia to her Professors?
The talented New York college student was abducted by ICE last month.
The 2025 Higher Educator of the Year: ‘Light a Path’
Teresa M. Hodge, Ph.D., an associate professor of math at Broward College in Florida, is NEA's Higher Educator of the Year. Recently, she addressed the nearly 7,000 delegates and guests at the NEA Representative Assembly.
Nine People You Might See, Hear or Meet at the NEA Representative Assembly
With nearly 7,000 delegates and guests at the 2025 NEA Representative Assembly, it would be impossible to meet everyone! Here are a few of the educators—and artists—in Portland, Ore., this week.
The Idaho Teacher Who Refused to Back Down
The poster said, “Everyone is Welcome Here.” School officials told Sarah Inama to take it down.
Trump Cancels Federal Research Grants. What Are the Consequences?
While more than $1.5 billion in federal grant money has been terminated by the Trump administration, the consequences at state universities and community colleges are particularly dire.
Five Things to Know About the 2025 NEA Higher Educator of the Year
For her innovative, student-focused approach as an educator, plus her warmth and fierce advocacy as a union leader, Florida’s Teresa M. Hodge is this year’s honoree.
Feature Article
Therapy Dogs: Educator's Best Friend?
These bushy-tailed, canine “co-teachers” help student mental health—but that’s not all.
May Day! May Day! Celebrating the Power of Solidarity
During this national day of action, more than 1,300 events, involving thousands of NEA members, were held in all 50 states—plus Washington, D.C.
Feature Article
The Best Shoes for Educators
We want to find the best, most supportive shoes for educators—to save your knees, ankles, and spine. Can you help?
Eight Charts that Tell You Everything About Faculty Pay
The 2025 NEA Faculty Pay Report shows a small uptick in faculty purchasing power, but it still hasn’t recovered to pre-pandemic levels.
Scientific Research is Getting Cut—and That Should Scare All Americans
The Trump administration’s cuts to federally funded STEM research is devastating current and future innovations by NEA Higher Ed members.
NEA President Becky Pringle: “Unions Exist For Moments Like This.”
Even as the Trump administration works furiously to attack public schools and threaten families, NEA members are mobilizing and speaking up.
Cover Story
Dear Educators: You're Still Not Paid Enough
Too many educators aren't paid enough to cover the basics, like fruit and vegetables.
Your union can help.
Pay, Planning Time & More: What Collective Bargaining Means in Virginia
For the first time in a half century, Old Dominion educators are sitting down—and winning—at the bargaining table.
Revealing Campus Debt: How Colleges are Borrowing Away the Future
Campus debt is driving increases to student tuition, as well as faculty and staff cutbacks. A new book details how to organize against it—and for a better vision of public higher education.
The Union Boom in Higher Education!
A new study shows how faculty and graduate-student employees are choosing to unionize, making higher education one of the fastest growing sectors of organized labor.
Teacher Strikes Lead to Higher Pay, Lower Class Sizes, More State Funds
A first-of-its-kind study on teacher strikes shows they bring new money into districts, increasing student spending and all educator pay.
Cover Story
The Time Crunch
Too much work, too little time. How can educators win their race against the clock?
Cooking with Fire in a High School Culinary Class
With incredible poise and delicious food, five teenage chefs from New Jersey recently won a statewide competition. Listen to our audio story to hear them prepare for nationals—and a world beyond the kitchen.
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