1
INCREASED PAY AND BENEFITS
Your local association fights for your professional pay, health care and retirement security so a career in education is a viable profession.
2
IMPROVED PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Your local association advocates for access to high-quality professional development and increased collaboration time so you can improve your practice. Your association works with the school district to develop mentoring and other support from more experienced colleagues.
3
MORE POWER
Your local supports you and other members in various situations, including speaking at school board meetings, advocating for increased school funding at the state and local level, lobbying your state legislators and city/county board members, and meeting with your administration. You can join in and make the association stronger.
4
NATION-WIDE COMMUNITY OF EDUCATORS
When you are a member of your local association, you are also a member of your state affiliate and the national NEA. You can be a part of a group of like-minded colleagues working to better students’ lives.
5
IMPROVED WORKING AND STUDENT LEARNING CONDITIONS AT YOUR WORK-SITE
Local associations advocate for smaller class size, less standardized testing, input into curriculum, and safe buildings, just to name a few. These working conditions mean a better learning environment for your students.
6
POSITIVE CHANGE IN YOUR WORKPLACE
The association can work with the administration as a partner and collaborate with the PTA and other community organizations to resolve issues in your school. As an educator who works with the children, you can work with the administration to solve problems together. There is always power in numbers.
7
ENHANCED RIGHTS
A collective bargaining agreement is an enforceable legal document that protects your rights. It contains a formal procedure for advancing grievances with support of an expert (UniServ staff). Even if your state doesn’t allow collective bargaining agreements, your association will be there for you offer guidance, advice and, if necessary, legal representation.
8
COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL JUSTICE
You will be part of an association that is working hard to achieve social justice in education/equity in schools and can provide training to members to develop new strategies.
9
LIABILITY INSURANCE
Because the liability potential can be so serious (and your employer doesn’t always have your back) for individuals employed by schools and other educational units. NEA provides all eligible association members with professional liability insurance through the NEA Educators Employment Liability (EEL) Program.
10
MEA MEMBER BENEFITS
MEA’s Member Benefits program is an extensive benefits and discounts program that improves your buying power and serves you money.
