The NEA Representative Assembly met in Chicago, July 3-6, 2022. More than 6,000 NEA members from around the country, including a delegation from Missouri, met in person for the first time since 2019.
"We will prevail!" NEA President Becky Pringle promised the delegates at the keynote address. “You have found a way to resist, even as you hold onto joy. Courageous and creative," she said. "Prepared and persistent. You stand in the power of NEA—and NEA stands in the power that is you!”
During the four-day business meeting, delegates were inspired by speeches from Vice President Kamala Harris, NEA Executive Director Kim Anderson, National Teacher of the Year Kurt Russell, National ESP of the Year Debra Ward-Mitchell, National Higher Ed Educator of the Year Bonniejean Alford, and musician, education advocate, and founder of the Imagination Library Dolly Parton. The delegates reviewed new business items and voted to continue critical work on safety, equity, and justice.