Who We Are
The Maine Education Association is a member-driven professional union representing more than 23,000 educators statewide. MEA supports its members through professional growth opportunities which enhance their skills and knowledge, leading to improved student achievement. MEA also provides contract bargaining expertise to improve the financial security of members and to better the working conditions of members and the learning conditions of the students in our schools. MEA has a dedicated staff that provides expert support and advice to members throughout the state.
Powerful Voice
Professional Growth
Member Benefits
What we do
Founded in 1859, the mission of the Maine Education Association remains virtually the same: to support educators so they can inspire our students. MEA is the association that gives you a collective, powerful voice as an advocate for public schools in Maine and across the nation. MEA is here for you. From professional growth opportunities and support, to amplifying your voice in issues affecting you and your work place, to providing perks like discounted insurance and ways to stretch your paycheck, MEA has your future in mind.
Who can join?
Certified members, including teachers, nurses, school counselors, school librarians, social workers and psychologists make up the largest group of members in the Association.
(ESP)-Ed Techs, custodians, bus drivers, secretaries, cooks and other support personnel who work for a public educational institution.
Professors, Support Staff and Supervisors in higher education are represented by several units: UMPSA, ACSUM, AFUM, CCFA and CCAA.
AFUM-Associated Faculties Of The Universities Of Maine
AFUM is the only faculty organization that has a contract with the University of Maine system. All faculty committees are “advisory” and their advice may be accepted or rejected by the administration. The AFUM contract is a legally binding document that governs the behavior of both parties. It has legal standing in court and with arbitrators.
AFUM membership has many benefits for you. If you are ever called in for an investigation, you have the right to have an AFUM representative present with you at the hearing. Membership brings with it a $1,000,000 educator liability policy. Most importantly, your membership means that you support the role of the faculty in the governance of the University of Maine system.
UMPSA-Universities Of Maine Professional Staff Association
UMPSA is the collective bargaining agent for the professional staff of the Universities of Maine System. UPMSA mission and purpose includes promoting the professional welfare of the members of the University of Maine System Professional Staff by improving salaries, job security, retirement systems and other conditions of employment including those for professional research and scholarship so as to attract and retain highly qualified professional staff.
By being a member of UMPSA, you are part of a larger family of colleagues working to improve wages, benefits and job security for all our members. When you have questions or concerns, even things that may not be at a grievance level, a union representative is only an email, phone, or walk away! Being a member of UMPSA means you have a strong advocate on your side when you need it.
ACSUM– Associated COLT Staff Of The Universities Of Maine
ACSUM represents the hourly COLT (clerical, office, laboratory, technical) staff in the University of Maine System. ACSUM consists of eight local chapters and a state executive board. ACSUM is by law the sole bargaining agent for the COLT unit, and negotiates with the University to establish better workplace conditions, wages and benefits for all COLT employees.
CCFA-Community College Faculty Association
The Community College Faculty Association (CCFA) represents the full-time faculty at the seven campuses of the Maine Community College System. The faculty prepare Maine’s youth for rewarding careers and transfer opportunities for baccalaureate degrees. The faculty also assist returning students, who have work experience, update skills and find new career paths. The role of the CCFA is to make it possible for the membership to do their jobs in a way that meets the needs of the students we are committed to and maintains a proper work-life balance. The focus of the CCFA is to protect faculty academic freedom and workplace security so they can create programs to meet the aspirations of the students and achieve the end goal of fulfilling Maine’s workforce needs. Membership benefits range from local to national programs and services as well as the NEA Educators Employment Liability Insurance.
CCAA- Community College Administrator Association
CCAA represents the supervisors within the community college system.
Student membership shall be open to any student enrolled in or preparing for a program of study in an accredited institution of higher learning that qualifies that student for a career in education.
MEA News
Stay up to date with your Association!
Conferences & Trainings
The MEA advocates for access to high-quality professional development and increased collaboration time so you can improve your practice. As a member, you have access to the best training on a range of issues from teacher leadership to bully free schools. Make the most of your membership and access the professional development available to you for free.
Maine Educator Online!
The Maine Educator is the nationally recognized award-winning official bi-monthly publication mailed to the households of approximately 25,000 Maine Education Association members. The Maine Educator is published six times a year (September, November, December, February, April, June).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is my uniserv director? (MEA Field Representative)
Please contact us here and we can direct you to your UniServ Director.
Where can I access the salary scale for my district?
What conferences/training are available to members?
What does MEA/NEA membership do for me?
Educators work hard to shape Maine’s youth, they deserve an organization that works just as hard for them-through support in your day to day work, pay and benefit negotiations, advocacy at the State House, securing discounts that help save you money, and so much more. MEA has your back-it works to advance public education by advocating for the profession and supporting Maine’s educators so they can focus on what they do best. Learn more how MEA supports members here.
Where is the school employee retirement system info?
On the MEA Retired website, https://mearetired.org/, you can find information including the MainePers benefit schedule and information about disability. For those who have not yet retired, MEA offers, free to members, pre-retirement seminars. If you would like to speak to someone regarding your retirement, or future retirement please contact Lisa Collins in our MEA Caribou office at 207-622-4418 + 2400 or fill out our contact form.