When lawmakers don't fully fund our schools, the burden gets put on educators. And it's just wrong. https://bsky.app/profile/neatoday.bsky.social/post/3lzoia2qyfm2f

We have lost a dedicated leader in Al Llorens. Even before his presidency at @ieanea.bsky.social, Al dedicated his life to improving students' lives and strengthening public education. His leadership was rooted in compassion, vision, and an unwavering belief in the power of education to transform.

It is past time for Republicans, who control both Congress and the White House, to sit down with Democrats and work out a common-sense agreement. One that avoids a government shutdown AND protects health care for millions of working people and families.

Honored to join the @blackinfonet.bsky.social today to talk about all the crises facing education in this moment—SNAP cuts, educator intimidation, and more. Thank you, Vanessa Tyler, for this essential conversation in this critical moment.

We grieve with the families of those lost in the tragic shooting at the Dallas ICE facility. Violence has no place in our schools, communities, or our democracy. Let's reject the vitriol that divides us and build together a country where we can all live free from violence and fear.

In 2024, teachers earned 73 cents for every dollar their similarly educated peers made, on average. A record low. In 1996, the gap was much smaller: 94 cents to the dollar. We can fix this—by investing in public education. The full report from @epi.org lays bare the challenge—and the solution.

We will continue to fight for a country that provides high-quality public education, exemplary health care, living wages, and basic dignity and respect for everyone—no exceptions.

Neither political violence nor aggression and intimidation have a place in our country or democracy. When threats and attacks target educators, they don't just endanger individuals—they undermine the foundation of public education and democracy. Using mob tactics against educators is unacceptable.

Feed the babies. @neapresident.bsky.social reminded us: hungry kids can't learn, and that's not politics, that's reality. #AtOurTable

It was an honor to speak on a Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute panel this week, to discuss student success and educational excellence in the current landscape.

Today is Constitution Day—a time to affirm the rights and liberties afforded to all of us in our founding documents. Now is the time to protect our democracy, and continue to work towards liberty and justice for all.

I have always said it, and will continue to say it: public education is the foundation of democracy. Thank you, @jaimeharrison.bsky.social, for this critically important discussion.

My conversation with @staceyabrams.com felt critically urgent, because it is—not a single student should go hungry because of cruel politicians. But that is our reality today.

Every year, I take a back-to-school tour to hear directly from educators and students and families across the country. Without a doubt, the best part of my job is these moments in classrooms and communities. Schools are the heart of every neighborhood.

On my back-to-school tour, I saw the best of this country: our public schools. In CA, I toured a school food pantry. In IA, I joined educators to hand out books at the Labor Day Parade. In AZ, I visited a district resource center for families in need. Above all, I talked to educators & students.

A school should be the safest place in any community—instead, today the Evergreen High School community joins too many others in mourning. The epidemic of gun violence in our country is intolerable. It is long past time for our lawmakers to take bold action to end it.

Violence in all forms is wrong. Political violence is unacceptable—it endangers our democracy and inflames fear, trauma, and division. Everyone deserves safety and security—period.

NJEA’s 125-member PAC Operating Committee unanimously endorsed Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill for NJ governor! 🎉 Sherrill met earlier this week with a screening committee to share her vision for public education, working families and NJ's future. Read the statement from NJEA's officers ⬇️ #WEareNJEA

Every worker deserves a union. For MSU faculty, this win was years in the making—and now, with UTSF, they’ll have a strong voice for academic freedom, fair workloads, and the future of their students. Welcome to the NEA union family.

We all want to live in a country defined by freedom and justice—not hatred and bias. But SCOTUS' decision allows rampant discrimination, letting the government seize people off the street based on how they look, their language or their job. Anyone who believes in liberty cannot abide this ruling.

Across this country, so many students don't have what they need—including food. And any educator knows that a student can't learn on an empty stomach. That's why, this time last week, I joined ISEA's president to present a donation to the Food Bank of Iowa. No student deserves to go hungry.

On Tuesday, our union was proud to welcome @neapresident.bsky.social to talk about bilingual ed, safe schools, & the pain of federal cuts. President Pringle surprised our members with a big gift—a $25,000 donation to help food pantries in the Creighton & Roosevelt districts serve their communities.

As I reflect on my back-to-school tour, I return again and again to the educators who stand in the gaps. The ones managing resource centers in Arizona, running school food banks in California, or mobilizing against anti-public education policies in Iowa. Educators truly do it all. Because we must.

Today marks the last state on my back-to-school tour, in New Jersey! I am thrilled to cap off this impactful week alongside @teamnjea.bsky.social‬ educators.

Our immigrant students need our support and love now more than ever—and that is exactly what these incredible Dream Centers in Alhambra do. @wearecta.bsky.social members are helping these students live into their brilliance, despite this incredible challenges they are facing.

On Labor Day, Becky Pringle, president of @neatoday.bsky.social, joined state and local education association leaders at Callanan Middle School, dropping off supplies for the school's pantry and donating $25,000 to our partners at Food Bank of Iowa. See more: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCsEZN

My favorite moments throughout the year are when I get to visit schools and talk to students. Thank you to the Alhambra school district for the opportunity to meet some incredibly special immigrant students.

I was lucky to witness the work of Creighton District's Family Resource Center today. They provide food, clothes, baby supplies, pre-K classes, adult education, and more, all for free—including "community baby showers" where expectant parents receive handmade blankets, toys, and some joy.

Students can't learn when they are afraid to attend school. I was incredibly moved to hear from leaders in Roosevelt School District about keeping students and families safe and secure in the face of ICE abductions. Their care and courage are a model for communities facing this across the country.

As I begin my back-to-school tour today, I'm reflecting on my time in Chile, addressing the @UNESCOSantiago World Summit on Teaching. The foundation of a quality education system for all students is high quality teachers who are prepared, respected, and supported as professionals.

No better way to spend my Labor Day than walking in the Des Moines parade—and then breaking bread with Iowa educators.

Happy Labor Day from Des Moines, Iowa's parade! My first stop on my back-to-school tour, and I am celebrating the working families that keep our schools—and our countries—running.

I am getting ready to head out on my back-to-school tour this week—I am so looking forward to connecting with members, students and families across the country. See you soon, @iowasea.bsky.social‬, @arizonaea.bsky.social‬, @wearecta.bsky.social‬, @wearencae.bsky.social‬ AND @teamnjea.bsky.social‬!

Students shouldn’t fear for their lives at school. This is intolerable. More needs to be done to end the epidemic of gun violence in our schools and communities.

It's back-to-school time around my neighborhood, and like every parent I know, I wish for every student and family to be safe and happy. The fear-mongering military presence in our nation's capital must end.

Education justice is economic justice. Economic justice is racial justice. Racial justice is education justice. We are all fighting for the same future.

No matter where they were born or the language they speak, all students—all students—are welcome in our public schools.

Welcome to all our new educators across the country! Whether you've already started or are looking ahead at your first back-to-school, know that your union is here to help you succeed. Educators always have each other's backs.

Submitting an RFP for #NEASummit2026? Join our Office Hours tomorrow for support with your proposal! 🕓 4:00–5:30 PM EST 🔗 Register for Session 1: buff.ly/PbvJ47f 🕖 7:00–8:30 PM EST 🔗 Register for Session 2: buff.ly/1kVNNxa

Educators are taking money out of their own pockets to furnish classrooms—while also trying to stretch their own family’s budget. When lawmakers underfund our schools, educators AND students AND parents suffer.

What a joy it was to talk to DJ Lily Jade at the convening of the National Association of Black Journalists last week! This young journalist has a sparkling future ahead of her 💜

Threatening children and making families afraid to drive around their own city endangers DC families and the freedoms and futures of us all. Real public safety looks like fully-funded schools and public services—not President Trump’s hostile takeover of the U.S. capital.

100% agree, @NEAPresident.bsky.social. As educators, we're fighting for safe, welcoming, inclusive & engaging schools where every student has the nutrition and resources they need to thrive. time.com/7308619/trum...

As I said in my op-ed, Trump’s newly-signed tax bill, which Republicans overwhelmingly voted for, slashes food assistance by ~$186 billion—the largest cut in American history. 18 million children will lose free school meals. We must hold these lawmakers accountable.

The power of solidarity never ceases to inspire me! Congratulations to the members of @spfelocal28.bsky.social on your tentative agreements.

Yesterday, I joined @momsrising.org and @civilrightsorg.bsky.social at #NABJ50 to highlight how parents, educators, and community leaders are speaking out for all students—and against the attacks on public schools.

Back-to-school season shouldn't rob our educators of hundreds of dollars every year, when they dig into their own pockets to buy pencils and tissues and notebooks for their classrooms. Our public schools need to be fully funded.

We're well into back-to-school season, and I am sending strength and energy to parents and teachers and students who are navigating all the excitement (and chaos!) 💜

Educators already have enough workplace challenges on their hands. Increasing equity in the profession will help recruit and retain educators—and go a long way to addressing our dire shortage.

When educators, parents, and elected leaders work together, students win. Thanks to community advocacy and pressure from @budzinski.house.gov, critical education funding is finally being released after an unlawful delay by the Trump administration.