Florida Education Association

Florida Education Association

The new Florida Education Association was formed in the year 2000, following the merger of two education associations, Florida Teaching Profession-NEA and FEA/United. Our collective history goes back to 1886 with the formation of the first professional educators' organization in the state. It was the original Florida Education Association. This organization later became known as the teachers' union. It is the legacy of Florida's teachers.

In 1886 when FEA was first formed, most Florida teachers had only a sixth-grade education and no formal training in teaching. Teachers' monthly wages ranged from $20 in Gadsden County to a high of $77.50 in Polk County. A little more than $150 was spent to build a school house, at that time.  At a meeting in Defuniak Springs that was originally set up to be a teachers’ training institute called the Florida Chautauqua, the deplorable conditions of Florida’s public education became the top issues of debate for teachers. The key concerns forced about 700 educators to take steps that resulted in a new page in history. The first professional teachers association, the Florida Education Association (FEA) was founded.

The founders of FEA recognized the value of a standardized, statewide public education system - one that would guarantee every citizen the opportunity to learn and to achieve his or her highest potential, - one that fulfills the promise of a quality education. Today the Constitution of the State of Florida defines public education as the paramount duty of the state. This is language in our state constitution that FEA was instrumental in gaining for all students.

            Since 1886, FEA has continued to set the standard for excellence in Florida’s schools. FEA and its members are always working to chieve higher and professional standards and academic excellence for school employees and the students that they serve.

            Florida Education Association represents more than 250,000 teachers and education staff professional in Florida’s 67 school districts. For over a century, the Florida Education Association has been the leading advocate of raising the quality of Florida’s public schools and of increasing the dignity and status of all teachers and education staff professionals.

·           WE are the most powerful education advocacy group, the largest professional organization and educators association in the state. WE use our united strength to improve the conditions of teaching and learning in public schools across the state for our members and our students.
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