NEA   1201 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20036

The National Education Association

During the 1800s, learning how to read and write was a luxury for most young people. Fortunately, in 1857, a group of teachers united to put a voice in the cause of public education. Today, the National Education Association (NEA) is the largest professional organization and largest labor union in the country. Representing public school teachers and professors at colleges and universities, the NEA has more than 3 million members with many affiliate organizations across the nation.

The NEA began with the mission to support teachers, fulfill the promise of public education for every student and advocate for better wages and working conditions. In conjunction with this mission, the NEA believes in the following core values:

• Equal opportunity
• A Just Society
• Democracy
• Professionalism
• Partnership
• Collective Action

The NEA also feels that every American child, regardless of household income or place of resident, has the right to a good education. To pursue this mission, the NEA has focused the energy and resources of its 3 million members to improving the quality of teaching, student achievement and safety of schools.