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
Our Voices - Close Up
Meet the Professor and Her Robots
Arshia Khan says robots may ‘extend a good life’ for people with dementia
Feature Article
Grad Expectations
Today's grad employees teach, research, and join their unions to ensure a better future.
What Being a Union Organizer Taught Me
You can do this, too!
Feature Article
Get the Latest Read Across America Recommendations
And meet the new Read Across ambassador, former WNBA player Kelly Darling!
NEA Higher Ed Bulletin Board, October 2026
Bottom line: unionized faculty and staff get paid more. In this section, learn about salary wins for staff at an Oregon community college, plus faculty at a New Jersey community college and at a Florida HBCU. Plus, get the facts on the "union difference" at the bargaining table.
Feature Article
The Sweet Story of Beekeeping with High School Students
A popular beekeeping club has this New Jersey school buzzing.
Cover Story
Paying Up: Minimum Salaries for Educators
Minimum-salary laws are a growing strategy for raising educator pay.
The People and Places that Shaped NEA President Princess Moss
Moss grew up in rural Virginia and taught for 21 years in Louisa County
This Florida Professor Was Suspended for Posting About Charlie Kirk
Like many others, today she’s back in the classroom, having proved her right to free speech.
What’s Going on With Federal Student Loans?
Borrowers need to pay attention to big changes in repayment plans. Plus, NEA wins!
Feature Article
13 Things That Special Educators Do—And You Should Too!
All educators can borrow these special ed strategies to improve student learning and behavior.
A Day of Learning and Organizing for Power
NEA RA delegates attend workshops that will help them grow their unions and power
‘Let’s Go Back to Our Campuses and Do What We Do’
NEA’s Higher Educator of the Year urges educators in Denver to fight for academic freedom and grow their unions
10 Questions with 10 People at the NEA Representative Assembly
What are the biggest issues in public education today? And what are the favorite snacks at the NEA RA? We find out!
Meet NEA’s Newest Read Across America Ambassador
WNBA legend Helen Darling says, “Reading is my game.”
Building Power, Saving Public Education, at the 2026 NEA Representative Assembly
With public education under attack, thousands of NEA members will meet in Denver to steer the nation’s largest labor union
What It’s Like to Teach Sociology Today
In Florida, it can be scary. In most other states, sociology classrooms are a place where critical conversations about society are freely cultivated.
The Crisis in College Accreditation and Why It Matters
Proposed changes to accreditation would help politicians to dictate and censor what’s taught in college classrooms.
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