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elementary students standing in front a school bus

It’s time to invest in student & educator well-being

Our students reach their fullest potential when they—and their educators—are healthy and safe in their schools.

As the nation’s largest union, the National Education Association is stepping up to ensure the protections and infrastructure our children and educators so desperately need to succeed and live healthy lives are implemented across the nation. A child who is sick cannot learn, and a sick educator cannot teach – our elected officials owe it to every parent and family in America to ensure the health and safety of future generations and those who foster them. 

We have put together a series of resources for educators, families, lawmakers, local unions, and school leaders on how to best advocate and support health and safety in our schools on the following issues.

back to school

White House Fall 2022 Health and Safety Townhall for Back-to-School

Learn how Heads of Department of Education, Health and Human Services, CDC answered questions from NEA and AFT Presidents.
Learn more
School counselor supports a young student during a group session

Mental Health

Students can’t learn if they aren’t well. Increasingly, that means our students and educators must receive the mental health support they need, and schools must have the resources, staffing, and programs necessary to effectively address the mental health challenges they face.
Find resources and advocacy tools to ensure good mental health
School custodian in HVAC room

Healthy Buildings & Systems

This resource page provides guidance on developing and implementing indoor air quality plans in schools and how to use CO2 monitors to improve indoor air quality.
Learn more Using CO2 monitors
elementary students drawing a mural of school

Gun Violence Prevention

Since 2020, the No. 1 cause of death for kids in America are guns. Educators are increasingly expected to transform from nurturers to first responders at a moment’s notice—having to decide the best ways to protect their students based on the circumstances. NEA remains committed to ending gun violence in our nation’s public schools and communities.
Resources to support students, cope with crisis, and advocate for safer schools
spray bottle and cleaning cloth on school desk

Infection Control & COVID-19

To ensure the safety and success of you and your students — during the COVID-19 pandemic, and long after — we’ve assembled helpful resources on finding and requesting tests for your school, protecting your rights and your students’ safety, and information on vaccines and boosters.
Find resources How and why to get vaccines and boosters
Educators hold up signs that read Protect Our Schools

NEA's School Crisis Guide

A step-by-step outline of what to do before, during, and after any school or community crisis.
Learn more
parents and students in sit in a circle in a group therapy session

NEA's Health and Safety Program

When unaddressed, health and safety issues undermine the health of students and educators, weaken student learning outcomes, exacerbate educator shortages, and burden school budgets.

That’s why the NEA established the Health and Safety Program—to bring focus, support, energy, and an equity lens to resolving new and long-standing health and safety issues in PreK–16 education settings.

News from NEA

bullying prevention

SEL Can Help Prevent Bullying

Educators look to social-emotional learning to build kids' social awareness and emotional intelligence.
Learn more
Edyte Parsons

Teaching While Scared

Violent student outbursts are putting educators at risk.
Learn more
karina vega coachella

Rural Schools Take on the Mental Health Crisis

With students experiencing heightened levels of anxiety and trauma, educators in rural communities are advocating for more services and programs. “If we don't give them the help they need, many are not going to make it.”
Learn more
Asian girl reading a book in a library.

Protecting Your Rights

NEA's Office of General Counsel and other experts detail your rights and protections as an educator during the pandemic.
Learn more
National Education Association

Great public schools for every student

The National Education Association (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.
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