NEA Today for Aspiring Educators 2020

Benefits of Membership

What is the National Education Association?

We are the nation’s leading organization committed to advancing the cause of public education. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., NEA proudly claims 3 million members who work at every level of education—from preschool to university graduate programs. NEA affiliates are in every state and in more than 14,000 local communities nationwide.

How does the NEA function?

NEA members from across the U.S. set association policy, most notably through an annual Representative Assembly—called the “RA”—held every last week of June and/or first week of July. NEA members at the state and local levels elect 9,000 RA delegates, who then elect NEA’s top officers, debate issues, and set NEA policy.

Between RAs, NEA’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee serve as the top decision-making bodies. Staff at the local, state, and national levels carry out policies implemented by the governing bodies.

How does the NEA help aspiring educators?

Members of NEA Aspiring Educators belong to a network of nearly 50,000 students who believe in improved teacher education and support for prospective teachers. As the nation’s largest pre-professional association for future educators, NEA connects practicing teachers and fellow NEA Aspiring Educators through state and national leadership conferences, workshops, and public forums. Members can also enrich their teaching and advocacy skills by holding local, state or national o!ce, or serving as a delegate to NEA’s annual RA. Members of NEA Aspiring Educators also serve on the NEA Board of Directors and NEA Resolutions Committee, and they serve on committees that address a variety of issues, including human rights, legislation, and membership.

Through Communities Redefining Education Advocacy Through Empowerment grants, members receive funding to support chapter and/or statewide community service projects that positively promote NEA Aspiring Educators. Projects may include strategies to enhance public education, increase advocacy and outreach to communities; support for young educator involvement in the association; and support for the development of innovative approaches and engagement. Grant awards are made for projects that align with one or more core values of NEA Aspiring Educators: teacher quality (up to $3,000), community outreach (up to $3,000), and political action (up to $2,000).

Help with tuition costs is available through the Jack Kinnaman Scholarship. NEA Aspiring Educators also provides information and assistance with student-teacher certification and professional development.

NEA Aspiring Educators Receive Services and Benefits

• Subscription to NEA Today for Aspiring Educators, the magazine of NEA Aspiring Educators program members.
• Resources, job information, and links to other NEA student chapters at nea.org/aspiringeducator.
• $1 million of in-classroom liability coverage through the NEA Educators Employment Liability Program.
• National-, state-, and chapter-level opportunities to participate in outreach projects like school renovation, literacy, and food bank support.
• Discounts for members and their parents on car purchases, magazine subscriptions, shopping, and more through the NEA Member Benefits programs. Details at neamb.com.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

2019 NEA Aspiring Educators Leadership Conference—June 29 – July 2, 2019, Houston, Texas. For information about attending, please email [email protected].

National Leadership Summit—March 15 – 17, 2019— Denver, Colo. For more information, visit nea.org/leadershipdevelopment.

Improve your practice as an educator and create better outcomes for your students with NEA’s micro- credentials. Go to cgps.nea.org/micro-credentials and get started on your personalized professional learning journey.

Rebate

$20 dues rebate for every year of membership to NEA Aspiring Educators (up to four years) during the first teaching year.

Join the Community

NEA Aspiring Educators now have a new place to connect.

The NEA Aspiring Educators Facebook group is the best way to get in touch with fellow Aspiring educators, stay up to date on our Aspiring programming, and access new resources NEA is developing just for you.

Join us at: facebook.com/groups/neaaspiring