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Hi there,
Every Sunday when I was a kid, we had family dinner at Nana and Papa’s house. The meal always started with pasta and iceberg lettuce that Nana oversalted, adding oil, vinegar, and tomatoes—never croutons, because those were “too American.”
The conversation around the table was LOUD. In my Italian American household being heard was something you fought for—not just as a girl, or a kid taught to be seen and not heard, but as someone learning to speak up in the first place.
Because of that, I didn’t grow up marching or protesting; getting anyone to listen to me at home was its own kind of activism. That changed when I became a mom, and our school board tried to change school start times. I spoke up, started a petition, got others involved, and we reversed the decision. That’s when I understood the power of collective action.
Now more than ever, we need unions—and loud united voices to advocate for our students, educators, and our communities. That’s why we made “Union Strong” the cover of NEA Today. Union members are everywhere—you just need to know where to look.
The spring issue dives into collective action, the impact of federal funding cuts, therapy dogs supporting students, and a profile of the 2025 NEA ESP of the Year. Read the full issue here.
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And there’s more: our new shoe council will help your tired toes after working a long day. Want to be on the council and get FREE shoes? Step in and help us out!
Helping others is important, but remember, you must learn to help yourself. For me, that comes from the lesson I learned during those Sunday dinners—being heard takes courage, persistence, and sometimes a little salt and vinegar. So go out and make some noise!
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In solidarity,
Giovanna Bechard
Editor-in-Chief
NEA Today |
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About one in three U.S. union members belongs to NEA. But have you met the other two-thirds yet? Our NEA Today cover story features a game that tests your ability to spot your union allies.
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