Mission, Vision, History

Mission Statement

"To serve as the united voice to promote, advance, and protect public education and to advocate for the rights and interests of students and our members."

Vision

"To keep the promise of a quality public education through a great public school for every child."

Values

Democracy, professionalism, partnerships, collective action and advocacy, fairness-a just society, equity, dignity, and respect for all.

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.

Download the 45th Anniversary brochure for a timeline of special milestones, a list of founding members and charter locals, as well as a list of state officers since 1973.