News & Information
Missouri NEA Weekly Legislative Update Week 4, January 31, 2025 By Otto Fajen MNEA Legislative Director CAPITOL ACTION DAYS BEGIN! Capitol Action Days are part of the Association's plan to promote...
By Otto Fajen MNEA Legislative Director LEGISLATURE CONVENES AFTER MLK HOLIDAY The legislature convened on January 21. Several Senate and House committees met this week, though meeting times were...
Presentation on Teacher Workforce Data, the Missouri Teacher Recruitment and Retention Playbook, and the Missouri Educator Job Board Dr. Paul Katnik, Assistant Commissioner in the Office of Educator...
The 2025 Missouri legislative session opened on January 8, bringing lawmakers, advocates, and education leaders to Jefferson City. With education and tax reform dominating the agenda, Missouri...
This summer, thousands of educators from across the nation will gather in Portland, Oregon, for the National Education Association (NEA) Representative Assembly (RA), scheduled for July 2–6, 2025. The...
The Missouri legislature holds a special distinction: It is home to more current and former members of the Missouri National Education Association (MNEA) and National Education Association (NEA) than...
By Otto Fajen MNEA Legislative Director LEGISLATURE TO OBSERVE MLK HOLIDAY The legislature concluded the session for the week on January 16. Both chambers will observe the Martin Luther King Holiday...
On January 5, 2025, educators and public employees across Missouri and the nation celebrated a monumental victory as President Joe Biden signed the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA) into...
Missouri NEA members have achieved a remarkable milestone: They collected 2,987 signatures statewide to nominate Amanda Perschall for the Public School and Education Employee Retirement Systems of...
SESSION BEGINS The 2025 legislative session began at noon on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Newly elected members were sworn in, and key leadership elections were held during the session. The Senate...
Don't maneuver student loan debt alone. NEA Student Debt Navigator points you in the right direction
Are you facing a mound of student loan debt? Leverage your MNEA Member Benefits by using the NEA Student Debt Navigator. It really works! The first year is offered free of charge. This easy-to-use...
The legislation will directly benefit 45,154 Missourians, including current and retired educators JEFFERSON CITY, MO — The Missouri National Education Association applauds Congress' historic vote to...
By Otto Fajen, MNEA legislative director Trustees present: Beth Knes, Chair Chuck Bryant, Vice Chair Allie Gassman Dr. Nate Moore Dr. D. Eric Park Katie Webb BUDGET AND AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING Annual...
1) Report on the Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP) 6 Annual Performance Report (APR) Release DESE delivered a report on the recent MSIP APR release for the State Board as a discussion item...
NEA Representative Assembly 2025 July 2-6, 2025 Portland Missouri’s delegate allocation will be made based on membership as of January 2025. Last year, Missouri was allowed to elect 23 state delegates...
The legislation, if enacted, will help guarantee a secure retirement for thousands of Missouri educators. JEFFERSON CITY, MO — The Missouri National Education Association applauds the U.S. House's...
By Otto Fajen, MNEA Legislative Director Trustees present: Beth Knes (Chair), Chuck Bryant (Vice Chair), Allie Gassman, Dr. Nate Moore, Dr. D. Eric Park, Katie Webb SYSTEM OPERATIONS The Board...
Consideration of Adopting a Resolution to Honor Jennifer Jones, Missouri Teacher of the Year Jennifer Jones, an English teacher at West High School in the Lee’s Summit School District, was officially...
In Part 3, Political Director Liz Zerr and MNEA Communications Director Mark Jones give an overview of the general election races and ballot issues. They also discuss what action steps you and friends...
Help protect your family—at no cost to you— Name your beneficiaries. Every member receives up to $150,000 in Life and Accident Insurance at NO COST. NEA provides complimentary life insurance with your...
Thank you for your many years of dedicated service to children and public education. As you step into this exciting new chapter of your life, we hope you take pride in the countless lives you've...
Agenda 1. State Board Meeting: DESE Application for the Innovation Assessment Design Authority (IADA) The state board heard a report from DESE on Missouri’s application for the Innovation Assessment...
Dr. Karla Eslinger is now serving as Missouri's Commissioner of Education, having stepped into the role following the retirement of Commissioner Margie Vandeven at the end of June 2024. Dr. Karla...
MNEA held Capitol Action Days from February to early May. Members from around the state sent postcards to legislators to share positive messages on key policy topics. While it can be challenging to...
Kristen Engle, a dedicated MNEA member and middle school English Language Arts teacher from Rockwood School District, has been named the 2024 Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) Educator of...
Rockwood NEA member Kristen Engle honored nationally as AMLE Educator of the Year We are pleased to announce that Rockwood NEA member Kristen Engle, an English Language Arts teacher at Rockwood South...
On Aug. 29, 2024, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced the finalist for the 2025 Missouri Teacher of the Year award. MNEA member Lauren Hurst is among the seven superb...
TOGETHER. A STRONGER VOICE. As an educator, you are the expert on what is best for schools and students. That’s why educators, not politicians and policymakers, should be making decisions about...
By Otto Fajen, MNEA Legislative Director Trustees present: Jason Steliga (Chair), Chuck Bryant, Allie Gassman, Beth Knes (Vice-Chair), Dr. D. Eric Park, Katie Webb BUDGET AND AUDIT AND ACTUARIAL The...
By Samantha Hayes, Professional Practice Director Board Agenda August 2024 2023 Success Ready Student Network Innovation Waiver Update and 2024 Waiver Approved Innovation Waivers for schools were...
Join MNEA-Retired before Sept. 1, and rest assured that you will be covered by $4 million liability protection and the 3 million member NEA while working in the public schools post-retirement. Did you...
Beginning of a New Era Dr. Thomas Prater of Springfield and Dr. Tawni Farrarini of St. Charles took their oath of office at the State Board of Education June 2024 meeting. They are interim positions...
By Otto Fajen, MNEA Legislative Director Trustees present: Jason Steliga (Chair), Chuck Bryant, Allie Gassman, Beth Knes (Vice-Chair), Dr. D. Eric Park, Katie Webb BUDGET AND AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING...
Jim Seibert MNEA Executive Director 1979-1984 Former Missouri NEA Executive Director Jim Seibert passed away on May 6, 2024. A lifelong educator and NEA leader, Jim Seibert served as MNEA Executive...
2024 REGULAR SESSION WRAP-UP SESSION ENDS ON FINAL DAY The 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly ended on May 17. The House convened on the final day of session and approved eleven Senate bills...
MNEA President 1977-1978 Former MNEA President Clarence Siebert passed away on May 17, 2024. A life-long educator, Clarence Siebert served as MNEA President from 1977-1978. During his presidency, MNEA...
By Otto Fajen, MNEA Legislative Director Trustees present: Jason Steliga (Chair), Chuck Bryant, Allie Gassman, Beth Knes (Vice-Chair), Dr. D. Eric Park, Katie Webb The Board met on April 14 to review...
By Samantha Hayes, MNEA Professional Practice Director Changing Landscape of the State Board of Education The seats of Donald Claycomb (Linn, Missouri) and Peter Herschend (Branson, Missouri) were...
GOVERNOR SIGNS VOUCHER/CHARTER EXPANSION BILL INTO LAW Governor Parson signed SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (Andrew Koenig) into law on May 7. The Association opposed the bill and appreciates the many Association...
By Otto Fajen, MNEA Legislative Director CAPITOL ACTION DAYS Capitol Action Days are part of the Association's plan to promote positive policy for public education. MNEA's Capitol Action Days...
By Otto Fajen, MNEA Legislative Director BUDGET The Senate Appropriations Committee completed proposed revisions to the House versions of the state budget bills for the next fiscal year on April 24...
CAPITOL ACTION DAYS Capitol Action Days are part of the Association's plan to promote positive policy for public education. MNEA's Capitol Action Days continued April 17 when members from Governance...
SENATE VOUCHER/CHARTER EXPANSION BILL The House Fiscal Review Committee approved SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (Andrew Koenig) on April 11. The bill is now on the House calendar and likely to be taken up for debate...
Update on MSIP 6 APR Release The MSIP 6 program has new updates based on the release of the 2023 APR Release in December 2023. The new updates include the following: Achievement Growth : Replace...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Missouri National Education Association Joins Coalition Urging General Assembly to Reconsider SB 727 SB 727 jeopardizes the education and well-being of countless Missouri...
ACTION ALERT SENATE VOUCHER/CHARTER EXPANSION BILL The House Special Committee on Education Reform voted to approve SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (Andrew Koenig) on April 2. The bill is scheduled to be heard in the...
Union-endorsed candidates achieve an 83 percent success rate in Missouri school board elections. JEFFERSON CITY, MO – The Missouri National Education Association (MNEA) extends its appreciation and...
By Otto Fajen, MNEA Legislative Director Trustees present Jason Steliga, Chair Chuck Bryant Allie Gassman Beth Knes, Vice-Chair Dr. D. Eric Park Katie Webb SYSTEM OPERATIONS The Board meeting started...
LEGISLATURE ADJOURNS FOR EASTER BREAK Both the House and Senate will be out for a three-day weekend break and return in session on Tuesday, April 1. The legislature has seven weeks remaining before...
During the MNEA Representative Assembly April 20-21 at the Lodge of the Four Seasons, delegates will vote to fill the NEA Director vacancy. Two candidates are running for the open position— DeNaé Bush...