I hereby submit the name of the following individual, organization, or group in nomination for the 2025 NEA Friend of Education Award.

PURPOSE

NEA Board of Directors created the Friend of Education Award as an annual recognition of a person, organization, or group whose leadership, acts, and support have contributed to the improvement of American education on a national level. Past recipients include U.S. Presidents, a Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, a Supreme Court Justice, U.S. Senators and Representatives, Governors, educators, civil rights leaders, journalists, authors, and an athlete.

QUALIFICATIONS

The 2023-2024 NEA priorities focus on advancing Racial Justice in Education, increasing educator voice, engaging new and early career Educators, supporting professional excellence, and securing a pro-public education environment. In alignment with these goals, a duly nominated individual, organization, or group shall have significantly contributed to the advancement of public education through exhibited leadership, acts, and support of education on a national level, that establishes the nominee as a friend of education, education employees, and/or students. A nominee doesn’t have to be an American citizen but should reflect philosophies and principles that advance NEA’s mission, priorities, and strategic goals.

NOMINATIONS

Any member of the National Education Association or any local or state affiliate of NEA may nominate an individual, organization, or group to the Friend of Education Award Committee by completing a nomination form and submitting it to the NEA by January 24, 2025. Each nomination must be signed and submitted by an NEA member. Non-NEA members are not eligible as nominators.

If you have any questions, please contact Tina Paden (TPaden@nea.org). The nomination form must be received by January 24, 2025.