The NEA Foundation is proud to announce the selection of the 2026 cohort of Global Learning Fellows! The Global Learning Fellowship is The NEA Foundation’s unique professional development program for educators, centered on deepening global competency skills: tinyurl.com/y36kxh5w

“At its core, teaching is an act of creation. Every single day, educators are engaged in the work of shaping ideas, sparking curiosity, and cultivating possibilities that did not exist before.” –Science Educator Melyssa Ferro of Caldwell, Idaho Congratulations, Melyssa!

The NEA Foundation is thrilled to announce the five recipients of the 2026 Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence, one of the highest honors in public education!

“At one point, I seriously considered walking away from my childhood dream of becoming a teacher. Recognition like the Travelers Award for Teaching Excellence is a powerful affirmation of purpose.” –English Educator Daneé Pinckney of Twinsburg, Ohio Congratulations, Daneé!

When 5th-8th Grade Visual Arts, Debate, and Robotics Educator Hosea Born applied for one of the NEA Foundation’s Grants to Educators, he had a plan. The plan was to travel as a class from the small town of Hope, AR to Washington, D.C., not just to sightsee, but to be heard.

“Receiving the Travelers Award for Teaching Excellence is deeply humbling. It represents the power of persistence, representation, and the impact that educators can have when they choose to see every student’s potential.” –Bilingual Counselor Ana Báez of Milwaukee, Wisconsin Congratulations, Ana!

In the Mississippi Delta, Community Schools are creating pathways for opportunities. Discover how educators, district leaders, and community partners are coming together to bridge the gap and drive meaningful change. www.neafoundation.org/ideas-voices...

Melaney Sanchez, a Teacher Librarian from Calvert County, Maryland, was a participant in this year's Global Learning Field Study. At the end of her time in Costa Rica, she reflected on the expedition and the impact of the Global Learning Fellowship.

Our Global Learning Fellows have now started their school visits during the Costa Rica Field Study. 🌎 Let's check in with Robin McLean, a middle school agricultural science educator from Columbus, New Jersey.

With the gracious support of the Spencer Foundation, the NEA Foundation is pleased to award mini-grants to eight innovative educators who are changing the way schools center students and families in the Deep South.

Dr. Micia Mosely is the Founder & Director of the Black Teacher Project, and also the recipient of The NEA Foundation’s 2025 Equity Partner Award. Hear her perspective about the importance of a Black educator in the classroom.

The concept of the community schools model was transformative for a former police officer who turned into an educator. Learn more about Katrina Joy, a Community School Teacher Lead in Anaheim, California. www.neafoundation.org/ideas-voices...

The latest application period for the Grants to Educators grant cycle has opened! Apply for grant funding to bring your vision to life or enhance your classroom instruction. 💻 Apply Now: www.neafoundation.org/educator-gra...

In less than two weeks, our 2025 Global Learning Fellows will embark on their field study journey in Costa Rica. In 2022, FaBion Barnes took the same leap, but to South Africa. Hear about her story and how the Global Learning Fellowship has impacted her!

Reginald Ballard, our Vice President of Policy & Communications, represented the NEA Foundation at the recent State Education Association Communicators (SEAComm) Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Our Foundation staff have traveled across the country this year, and we hope to connect with you!

Impact In Action! This week, Emma Larson, our Program Officer for the Grants to Educators program, connected with Hosea Born, a recent GTE grantee and educator from Arkansas. With his Student Success grant, Hosea was able to bring his 8th-grade debate team to Washington, DC and Philadelphia, PA.

Congratulations to Michael Dunlea III and Michelle Pearson for being inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame! They both appeared alongside their induction class recently on "CBS Mornings." youtu.be/GPwu093PrCI?...

Do you know a high school educator who excels in bringing Shakespeare’s words to life? Someone who helps students understand the world better through his timeless works? The new Parr Shakespeare Teaching Prize is designed to recognize that educator! Learn More:

The NEA Foundation is pleased to award mini-grants to eight innovative educators who are changing the way schools center students and families in the Deep South.

FaBion Barnes is a music and choir educator in the small, rural town of Hamburg, Arkansas. But her teaching goes far beyond traditional music instruction, and is inspired in part by her experience with The NEA Foundation’s Global Learning Fellowship.

A great teacher changes lives—but they can’t do it alone. Your donation builds connections, provides essential resources, and supports the future they’re working hard to create. #EmpoweringEducators #TeacherAppreciationWeek Neafoundation.org/EmpowerEducators

For more than five decades, the Foundation has championed and funded educator-led initiatives and innovation, resulting in measurable and sustained improvements in public education.

Before they inspire the future, many educators are empowered by their curiosity to enter the profession and make a difference. That’s true for Sheila Peterson, a 2025 Travelers Award for Teaching Excellence recipient, who changed careers to become a teacher. neafoundation.org/EmpowerEducators

Make a gift this Teacher Appreciation Week and celebrate the educators who open doors of opportunity for students every day. neafoundation.org/EmpowerEducators

In the classroom and beyond, there’s joy in watching students grow, connect, and be inspired. Even after 25+ years in education, 2025 Travelers Award for Teaching Excellence recipient, Matt Binfield still feels that joy every day.

When you make a gift to The NEA Foundation this Teacher Appreciation Week, you help celebrate the educators who create meaningful learning experiences for students every day. neafoundation.org/EmpowerEducators

Torin Peterson is our Program Officer for the Global Learning Fellowship. Before he helped give educators opportunities to increase their global competencies, an educator sparked Torin’s curiosity! Fuel the Future of Learning: neafoundation.org/EmpowerEducators youtu.be/nw6vQEtWRz0

An educator’s voice has the power to open doors, spark curiosity, and connect communities. Hear from Allison Slone, a 2025 Travelers Award for Teaching Excellence recipient from Kentucky, as she shares why amplifying educator voices is essential to inspiring the next generation.

Happy first day of Teacher Appreciation Week! Make a gift to our Empowering Educators, Inspiring Futures campaign in honor of your favorite teacher. Make A Gift: neafoundation.org/EmpowerEducators #InspiringFutures #TeacherAppreciationWeek

Every week, millions of educators inspire their students through lessons, projects, and meaningful experiences. Hear from Matt Hamilton, the 2025 NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence recipient, about the role that an educator plays in inspiring the next generation.

Empowered educators nationwide help to inspire the future leaders of tomorrow. As we kick off Teacher Appreciation Week, support The NEA Foundation’s programs as we strive to empower educators across the country. #EmpoweringEducators #TeacherAppreciationWeek

Do you know a high school educator who excels in bringing Shakespeare’s words to life? The Parr Shakespeare Teaching Prize is designed to recognize that educator! Learn More: www.parrshakespeare.org

At Taylorsville High School in Utah, competitive track and field was once a dream beyond reach for many students. With the help of a Student Success, coach Chad Farnes was able to change that reality for his track and field team.

NEA Foundation staff and partners are attending the Southern Roots: Growing University-Assisted Community School Partnerships conference this week in Durham, North Carolina. We look forward to the collaboration and meaningful connections that await!

Are you a public school educator with a big idea for your classroom or professional growth? Apply for grant funding to bring your vision to life through the Grants To Educators program. 🗓️ Deadline: May 1, 2025 💻 Learn More: www.neafoundation.org/educator-gra...

At Lincoln Elementary School in Canton, Illinois— Amy Evans is making science come to life for students throughout the school. With the help of an NEA Foundation Student Success grant, students are gaining experience through hands-on learning experiences.

The NEA Foundation's Global Learning EdCamp is today! This is an excellent opportunity to share your ideas and connect with NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellowship alumni, current fellows, and guests.

The NEA Foundation's Global Learning Ed Camp is next week! Learn more about our Global Learning Fellowship and connect with like-minded individuals to explore the impact of global learning. Sign Up: events.ringcentral.com/events/2025_...

The NEA Foundation was represented at the recent NEA National Leadership Summit in Detroit, MI. Emma Larson (Program Officer) and David Dwyer (Senior Program Associate) were on site promoting our initiatives and highlighting our programs!

Stay up to date with the latest from the NEA Foundation! Dive into EdVentures, our official newsletter, for inspiring stories, updates, and more.

The NEA Foundation's Global Learning EdCamp returns next month. Click to learn more about our free upcoming online professional learning and collaboration opportunity!

The NEA Foundation has started 2025 with great momentum! Click to read the latest edition of EdVentures, the official newsletter of the NEA Foundation. buff.ly/SO3BFCQ

Join us for the 2025 NEA Foundation Global Learning EdCamp, a free virtual "unconference" for educators invested in global learning! Connect with like-minded professionals and explore innovative approaches to global learning! 💻 Register Today: buff.ly/rT6ZUFH

Are you a public school educator looking for grant funding? Applications are now open for the latest Grants to Educators cycle! Grant Application Categories: - Student Success - Envision Equity - Learning and Leadership 🚨 Application Deadline: Thursday, May 1, 2025 💻 Apply Now: buff.ly/43dEsr4

Congratulations to Cassie Owens Moore for being a part of the 2025 Travelers Award for Teaching Excellence cohort. Cassie is also a 2024 alum of the Global Learning Fellowship! Apply to the Global Learning fellowship by April 7th! 💻 Learn More: https://buff.ly/4i6HJN9

This past Friday, we celebrated this year's cohort of Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence recipients! Visit our YouTube channel to learn more about our awardees through their mini-documentaries! 💻 https://buff.ly/3Qhm09h

Congratulations to Matthew Hamilton, who was named the 2025 NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence recipient, one of public education's top honors! 📰 Read More: https://buff.ly/3WYc6Nx

Congratulations to Laura Jeanne Penrod of @neasn.bsky.social, for being recognized as the Nevada recipient of the 2025 Travelers Award for Teaching Excellence.

The power of public education was celebrated at the 2025 Salute To Excellence In Education Gala! The NEA Foundation sincerely thanks our attendees, sponsors, awardees, and everyone who joined us virtually for making this a truly historic occasion. #NEAFGala

Matthew Hamilton is the recipient of the 2025 NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence, one of public education’s top honors!