MNEA Organizing Academy

MNEA seeks current members who are passionate about their union and reliable with their work to become an Organizing Fellow. This is an opportunity to “earn while you learn” to be an effective organizer.  Fellows will learn effective strategies to engage existing and potential members in deeper involvement with the union.

Organizing Fellows will commit up to 5 hours per week, outside of school hours, to help strengthen their union by recruiting new members, identifying emerging leaders, and supporting local association efforts. Some of the activities might include 1-to-1 conversations, small group meetings, phone calls, and attendance at local association events.

The Fellows will be paid $30 per hour plus mileage between April 1 and August 31, 2026.  An extension to the full 2026-2027 school year may be possible, but depends on outside grant funding.  A limited number of positions will be available during each grant cycle.  Individuals must apply and be accepted for each grant cycle.

To apply:

Applications will be accepted until April 3, 2026.
Applicants will be notified via email on or before April 17, 2026.

For more information, contact Shannon Weber (shannon.weber@mnea.org). 

MNEA Organizing Academy 

Organizing Fellow Application

Deadline: April 3, 2026

Thank you for your interest in being an Organizing Fellow and growing MNEA’s capacity to build power and to affect change.

This form MUST be completed and submitted by the end of the day, Friday, April 3, 2026.

Each application will be scored using an objective rubric, as well as feedback from local leaders and MNEA staff.  

Organizing Fellows will commit up to 5 hours per week, outside of school hours, to help strengthen their union by recruiting new members, identifying emerging leaders, and supporting local association efforts.  Some of the activities might include 1-to-1 conversations, small group meetings, phone calls, and attendance at local association events.
 

Participant Information

Race or Ethnicity

Check all that apply. 
Work Experience

How many total years have you worked in a school in any position?  (does not need to be consecutive year of service)
Member Experience

How many total years have you held a position as a member of Missouri NEA? (includes serving as a delegate, on a local or state committee, local chair, association/building rep, local officer, board member, etc.)
School District/Local Association
  • If Retired, please indicate which district you worked in the most years.
  • If Aspiring Educator, please indicate your college or university.
(teacher, nurse, counselor, paraprofessionals, bus driver, etc.)

What position, if any, do you currently hold in your local? 

Organizing Fellows may not hold a fellowship and an elected leadership position within their local union at the same time. If selected as an Organizing Fellow, the elected leadership position must be relinquished.
 

Review
Review 
Phone Skills
How comfortable are you in speaking with people on the phone?
Not at all
Extremely
People Skills
How comfortable are you in speaking with new, unfamiliar people in person or otherwise?
Not at all
Extremely