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The NEA Foundation @theneafoundation.bsky.social · 19d

“At its core, teaching is an act of creation. Every single day, educators are engaged in the work of shaping ideas, sparking curiosity, and cultivating possibilities that did not exist before.” –Science Educator Melyssa Ferro of Caldwell, Idaho

Congratulations, Melyssa!

NEA Foundation Honors Five Public School Educators with National Award - NEA Foundation

The NEA Foundation @theneafoundation.bsky.social · 22d

The NEA Foundation is thrilled to announce the five recipients of the 2026 Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence, one of the highest honors in public education!

The NEA Foundation announces the names of five public school educators receiving the coveted 2026 Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence.

From Debate to Democracy: How a Group of Eighth Grade Students from Arkansas Took Their Advocacy to the Nation’s Capital - NEA Foundation

The NEA Foundation @theneafoundation.bsky.social · Sep 23

“At one point, I seriously considered walking away from my childhood dream of becoming a teacher. Recognition like the Travelers Award for Teaching Excellence is a powerful affirmation of purpose.” –English Educator Daneé Pinckney of Twinsburg, Ohio

Congratulations, Daneé!

The NEA Foundation @theneafoundation.bsky.social · Sep 18

When 5th-8th Grade Visual Arts, Debate, and Robotics Educator Hosea Born applied for one of the NEA Foundation’s Grants to Educators, he had a plan. The plan was to travel as a class from the small town of Hope, AR to Washington, D.C., not just to sightsee, but to be heard.

When 5th-8th Grade Visual Arts, Debate, and Robotics Educator Hosea Born applied for one of the NEA Foundation’s Grants to Educators, he had a plan. His proposed grant project would broaden his…

How Community Schools Are Building Pathways to Opportunity in the Mississippi Delta - NEA Foundation

The NEA Foundation @theneafoundation.bsky.social · Sep 17

“Receiving the Travelers Award for Teaching Excellence is deeply humbling. It represents the power of persistence, representation, and the impact that educators can have when they choose to see every student’s potential.” –Bilingual Counselor Ana Báez of Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Congratulations, Ana!

The NEA Foundation @theneafoundation.bsky.social · Jul 30

In the Mississippi Delta, Community Schools are creating pathways for opportunities.

Discover how educators, district leaders, and community partners are coming together to bridge the gap and drive meaningful change.

www.neafoundation.org/ideas-voices...

The Mississippi Delta region, rich in history and culture, turns to community engagement and partnerships to increase opportunities for all.

The NEA Foundation @theneafoundation.bsky.social · Jul 15

Melaney Sanchez, a Teacher Librarian from Calvert County, Maryland, was a participant in this year's Global Learning Field Study.

At the end of her time in Costa Rica, she reflected on the expedition and the impact of the Global Learning Fellowship.

The NEA Foundation @theneafoundation.bsky.social · Jun 26

Our Global Learning Fellows have now started their school visits during the Costa Rica Field Study. 🌎

Let's check in with Robin McLean, a middle school agricultural science educator from Columbus, New Jersey.

The NEA Foundation Supports Educator-Led Projects in Community Schools with “Mini-Grants” - NEA Foundation

The NEA Foundation @theneafoundation.bsky.social · Jun 20

With the gracious support of the Spencer Foundation, the NEA Foundation is pleased to award mini-grants to eight innovative educators who are changing the way schools center students and families in the Deep South.

The NEA Foundation is pleased to award mini-grants to eight innovative educators who are changing the way schools center students and families in the Deep South.

Every Child Deserves a Black Teacher - NEA Foundation

The NEA Foundation @theneafoundation.bsky.social · Jun 19

Dr. Micia Mosely is the Founder & Director of the Black Teacher Project, and also the recipient of The NEA Foundation’s 2025 Equity Partner Award.

Hear her perspective about the importance of a Black educator in the classroom.

Dr. Micia Mosely, founder of the Black Teacher Project, explains why every child deserves a Black teacher and to advocate for Black educators

From Patrol to Possibility: How the Community Schools Model Transformed My Purpose - NEA Foundation

The NEA Foundation @theneafoundation.bsky.social · Jun 18

The concept of the community schools model was transformative for a former police officer who turned into an educator.

Learn more about Katrina Joy, a Community School Teacher Lead in Anaheim, California.

www.neafoundation.org/ideas-voices...

Katrina Joy shares her powerful story of transitioning from a career in law enforcement to serving as a teacher lead in a community school.

Grants for Educators - The NEA Foundation

The NEA Foundation @theneafoundation.bsky.social · Jun 16

The latest application period for the Grants to Educators grant cycle has opened! Apply for grant funding to bring your vision to life or enhance your classroom instruction.

💻 Apply Now: www.neafoundation.org/educator-gra...

The NEA Foundation supports public schools through grants for educators and a unique year-long global fellowship.

From Arkansas to South Africa: How a Global Learning Fellow Is Bridging Cultures through Music - NEA Foundation

The NEA Foundation @theneafoundation.bsky.social · Jun 13

In less than two weeks, our 2025 Global Learning Fellows will embark on their field study journey in Costa Rica.

In 2022, FaBion Barnes took the same leap, but to South Africa. Hear about her story and how the Global Learning Fellowship has impacted her!

Arkansas music educator FaBion Barnes shares how the Global Learning Fellowship transformed her teaching and perspective.

The NEA Foundation @theneafoundation.bsky.social · Jun 7

Reginald Ballard, our Vice President of Policy & Communications, represented the NEA Foundation at the recent State Education Association Communicators (SEAComm) Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Our Foundation staff have traveled across the country this year, and we hope to connect with you!

The NEA Foundation @theneafoundation.bsky.social · Jun 6

After competing in the National Speech and Debate Association's Congressional Debate over the academic year, his students will have the opportunity to experience advocacy and civics firsthand.

The NEA Foundation @theneafoundation.bsky.social · Jun 6

Impact In Action!

This week, Emma Larson, our Program Officer for the Grants to Educators program, connected with Hosea Born, a recent GTE grantee and educator from Arkansas.

With his Student Success grant, Hosea was able to bring his 8th-grade debate team to Washington, DC and Philadelphia, PA.

National Teachers Hall of Fame Inductees get big surprise on “CBS Mornings”

The NEA Foundation @theneafoundation.bsky.social · May 30

Michael Dunlea III is an NEA Foundation grantee and a 2020 Global Learning Fellow. Michelle Pearson is a 2012 NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence recipient and Global Learning Fellow.

The NEA Foundation @theneafoundation.bsky.social · May 30

Congratulations to Michael Dunlea III and Michelle Pearson for being inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame!

They both appeared alongside their induction class recently on "CBS Mornings."
youtu.be/GPwu093PrCI?...

YouTube video by CBS Mornings

youtu.be

The NEA Foundation @theneafoundation.bsky.social · May 24

Do you know a high school educator who excels in bringing Shakespeare’s words to life? Someone who helps students understand the world better through his timeless works?

The new Parr Shakespeare Teaching Prize is designed to recognize that educator!

Learn More:

Parr Shakespeare

www.parrshakespeare.org

The NEA Foundation Supports Educator-Led Projects in Community Schools with “Mini-Grants” - NEA Foundation

The NEA Foundation @theneafoundation.bsky.social · May 23

The NEA Foundation is pleased to award mini-grants to eight innovative educators who are changing the way schools center students and families in the Deep South.

The NEA Foundation is pleased to award mini-grants to eight innovative educators who are changing the way schools center students and families in the Deep South.

From Arkansas to South Africa: How a Global Learning Fellow Is Bridging Cultures through Music - NEA Foundation

The NEA Foundation @theneafoundation.bsky.social · May 22

FaBion Barnes is a music and choir educator in the small, rural town of Hamburg, Arkansas.

But her teaching goes far beyond traditional music instruction, and is inspired in part by her experience with The NEA Foundation’s Global Learning Fellowship.

Arkansas music educator FaBion Barnes shares how the Global Learning Fellowship transformed her teaching and perspective.