The Forever Activists: NEA’s Retired members fight on
By Emily Bricker, Mallory Johnson, Amanda Menas, and Danielle Sklarew / lead photo courtesy of Mads Johansen
The National Education Association is a powerhouse of advocacy on issues that matter for public schools. What many don’t realize is the major role that retired educators play in amping up that advocacy.
More than 200,000 educators remain union members in retirement, to stay informed about issues affecting education and take action to stop policies that can hurt public schools.
“Why wouldn’t I want to continue to be active in the only organization that truly fights for public education, my profession, and our students?” asks retired Indiana teacher Sarah Borgman.
Borgman, the current elected president of NEA-Retired, says that staying active in advocacy efforts since ending her formal career in the classroom was “simply the right thing to do.”
Leading the fastest growing membership category of the NEA, Borgman advocates with other members on issues such as education funding, teacher and bus driver shortages, school safety, teacher pay, and the overuse of standardized tests.
“The whole gambit of theories, trial and errors, political ploys using public education…you name it, we’ve seen it!” says Borgman.
State education associations work with their Retired chapters to organize around state CONTINUE READING: The Forever Activists: NEA's Retired members fight on - Education Votes