In our headlines today, the National Education Association (NEA) continues to influence the agenda in education. This can be seen from the hundreds of delegates they boast, the majority of whom are educators. The only state delegations that trump this significant number are those from California, Texas, and Florida. Guiding this large body is the incumbent NEA president, Rebecca “Becky” Pringle.
As for President Trump, Pringle’s perspective is quite dismissive, seeming convinced that Trump would eliminate the Department of Education if given the chance. Such a prejudiced stance could be criticized as unfairly biased and lacking perspective.
Pringle’s rise to power fuels interesting conversations about her background and her influence. Raised in Philadelphia, this career teacher earned her master’s degree in Education from Penn State University and taught physical science at a middle school in Harrisburg for 28 years. As a lifetime teacher, she climbed the NEA ranks, ultimately becoming its president in 2020.
An amusing revelation during our conversation with Pringle was her fervor for the Philadelphia Eagles. The NEA president is a die-hard Eagles fan, always thrilled to watch a game whenever possible. On the lighter side, it is also interesting to note that Pringle’s love for football does not interfere with her education advocacy. Perhaps some Democrats could learn from her capability to balance personal and professional interests.
Looking into NEA’s politics further, it is surprising to note that they recently sent a delegation to the Republican National Convention. However, closer examination of their funding reveals a different story. The NEA Advocacy Fund donates predominantly to Democratic candidates. Pringle claims that this tilt towards Democrats is due to Republicans’ alleged take on education and educators.
Pringle suggests that many Republicans subscribe to the MAGA movement, which she believes is disruptive for public education. This is clearly a simplistic take on the political landscape, as the reverse could also be asserted – the Democratic Party could be accused of seeking to dismantle traditional education structures and systems in favor of more radical ideologies.
One divisive sticking point is the topic of school vouchers. NEA stands strong against introducing school vouchers, which propose granting public funds for attendance to private institutions. Advocates say it offers opportunities for students trapped in low-performing public schools. Pringle, however, disregards vouchers as a failed experiment.
Delving into Pennsylvania’s political view on vouchers, Gov. Josh Shapiro initially supported the proposal but later compromised with Republican legislators, resulting in a $100 million voucher program for children hailing from ‘low-achieving’ districts. The Democrat-led House showed no support for such a measure, causing Shapiro to veto the program to avoid a budget stalemate.
Interestingly, Pringle views Shapiro’s decisions as beneficial for public education. Citing the education budget passed earlier this year, which directed a historical $1 billion towards public schools, she commends his understanding of the necessity for additional resources for marginalized communities. This is a view hardly surprising from NEA’s president, considering the rigid partisan lines drawn within and around the organization.
A twist of irony recently occurred when the NEA experienced an internal strike from its staff union, which consequently disrupted a planned presidential visit to Philadelphia. This led to the peculiar circumstance of President Biden – an advocate for labor rights – seeking an alternative location rather than crossing a picket line.
Amidst the simmering unrest, the NEA in retaliation locked its striking staff out of work. When questioned about these contentious events, Pringle refrained from elaborating, likely due to a gag order resulting from the tentative agreements reached at that time.
Instead, Pringle turned the conversation toward a future focus for NEA: the upcoming election, member work, their mission, and student needs. Notably, she also mentioned that teacher members would have other opportunities to interact with figures like Biden and Harris.
Despite the NEA’s firm positioning and Pringle’s unwavering leadership, it’s clear that the realm of education is rife with surrounding controversy and debate. The eagerness to prioritize political affiliation over bipartisanship starkly contrasts with the dynamic, evolving needs of today’s education landscape.