Mission, Vision, History
Mission Statement
"To unite, organize, and empower education professionals to ensure the success of every student. Through our collective voice and action, our union protects and defends the rights of education professionals and advances equity and excellence in public education."
Vision
"An excellent, equitable public education system where every student succeeds, powered by the collective voice and strength of our union."
Values
We, the members of the Missouri NEA, stand resolute in our commitment to:
- Serve as the state voice for quality and visionary public education.
- Advance the cause of education for all individuals.
- Promote the health and welfare of students.
- Promote professional excellence among education employees.
- Gain recognition of the importance of public education employees in the learning process.
- Protect the rights of public education employees and advance their interests and welfare.
- Secure professional autonomy.
- Unite education professionals for effective citizenship.
- Promote and protect human and civil rights.
- Obtain for our members the benefits of an independent, united education profession.
- Shape a future where public education is the cornerstone of a just, equitable, and thriving society.
History
In 1973, a group of concerned educators began the process of creating a new NEA affiliate in the event that the Missouri State Teachers Association was disaffiliated from the National Education Association. MSTA was disaffiliated from the National Education Association, and Missouri NEA became the new NEA affiliate. In the Declaration of Independence, the founders wrote the theme of the association, which still exists today...Something Better.
...A new day has arrived for Missouri teachers. From all areas of the state, we are declaring our independence from our old futility, from groups dominated by people who did not believe in the collective insistence of teachers on better schools, better salaries and better protection of teacher rights.
...We are sustained on this journey by our collective belief that something better is possible in Missouri, something better for teachers, something better for parents, and, most important, something better for students.