Richie Neal endorsed by National Education Association, Massachusetts Teachers Association
Contact: Kate Norton, 617-838-6083, press@nealforcongress.com
SPRINGFIELD – Chairman Richie Neal has received the endorsements of the National Education Association (NEA) and the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) in his re-election effort to represent the First Congressional District. Congressman Neal is a lifelong educator and has been a member of the Massachusetts Society of Professors, a local of MTA and NEA, for over 20 years.
“We are proud to endorse Chairman Richie Neal for reelection, knowing he will continue to be a champion for Massachusetts’s students and public schools. Chairman Neal understands that it’s critical to ensure every student in the Bay State and across the country has access to quality public schools. He has deep respect for educators and is committed to paying educators like the professionals that they are so communities are able to attract and retain the quality educators that our students deserve. Chairman Neal appreciates that educators – those who know the names of the students in the classroom - must have a seat at the table when making education policy. And he understands that students will need more support than ever coming out of this COVID crisis, which is why he helped lead the efforts to pass the Heroes Act to prevent educator layoffs and ensure our schools have the resources they need,” said National Education Association President Lily Eskelsen García.
“U.S. Representative Richard Neal has always been a strong advocate for public education,” said Massachusetts Teachers Association President Merrie Najimy. “As a chief architect of the HEROES Act, he is leading the fight in Congress to bring critically needed federal resources to Massachusetts public schools and colleges. He understands from his personal experience as an educator and MTA member that a fully funded and fully staffed public education system is vital to the Commonwealth’s recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. We can rely on Richard Neal to continue to be a strong voice for Massachusetts educators and students.”
"Public education is the backbone of our nation and our district," said Congressman Neal. "The lessons learned in the classroom carry over to real life, and the impact of teachers on young students molds a new generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. We need to strengthen and expand our public schools, understanding the vast importance that such an education can bring. As a lifelong educator myself, I am particularly honored to have earned the support of my peers, colleagues and friends in the school community."
The NEA, the nation's largest professional employee organization, is committed to advancing the cause of public education. NEA's 3 million members work at every level of education—from pre-school to university graduate programs. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.
The MTA represents 110,000 members in close to 400 local associations throughout Massachusetts. Their membership includes teachers, faculty, professional staff and education support professionals working at public schools, colleges and universities across Massachusetts.