The New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) has adopted a new Strategic Purpose, Mission and Vision to guide its future work. The decision was made during the NJEA Delegate Assembly meeting on January 10, 2026, following approval by the Executive Committee the previous evening. This new framework replaces the association’s longstanding Mission, Vision and Goals.
According to NJEA leadership, this change comes in response to shifts in both education and society. NJEA President Steve Beatty stated, “Our members face challenges that look very different from those of 20 or 30 years ago. We need a clear statement of our values that will help us identify shared objectives and develop effective strategies. Adopting this new framework ensures that every part of NJEA is working toward the same goals.”
NJEA Vice President Petal Robertson emphasized member involvement in shaping the document: “This process was about listening to members and making sure their priorities shaped the outcome. The new Strategic Purpose, Mission and Vision reflects the values we stand for and the union we are striving to become. It gives us a clear path to strengthen our union and fight for equity, justice and respect in our union and our school communities.”
NJEA Secretary-Treasurer Tina Dare said, “NJEA members deserve a union that shares our values and is committed to our success. This framework helps ensure we can become that union. It elevates our shared priorities and clearly states our purpose. It’s a tool we will use in all of our important decision making, beginning with the development of our budget in the coming weeks.”
The updated plan is organized around three main pillars: Membership; Labor Rights; Solidarity and Justice. Under these pillars are commitments such as advancing economic security, ensuring professional respect, championing academic freedom, cultivating diverse leadership structures, strengthening public schools, engaging all voices within the community, recruiting new members, organizing peer-to-peer engagement among members, leveraging collective power for advocacy efforts as well as campaigns focused on fair compensation.
The development process lasted over a year under guidance from the Strategic Planning Steering Committee with facilitator Lisa Nentl-Bloom gathering input statewide from both leaders and rank-and-file members. A significant milestone occurred at last July’s Summer Leadership Conference where leaders participated in extended planning sessions.
Throughout autumn 2025 committee members refined their draft based on ongoing feedback until it reflected broad consensus across NJEA membership by January 2026.
Beatty noted continued focus on member engagement: “We wanted a plan that every local, every committee and every staff team could use,” he said. “When our work is aligned, we can deliver more for our members and for public education.” He also stressed adaptability: “This is not a document that sits on a shelf… If necessary we will review and refine it as conditions change. Most importantly we will keep member voices at the center of that process.”
The association’s newly adopted statements are:
Purpose: The New Jersey Education Association is a member-led, justice-centered labor union that champions the rights, dignity and working/learning conditions of public educators.
Mission: The New Jersey Education Association is dedicated to advocating for and protecting the rights, benefits, and interests of our members while promoting a high-quality equitable system of public education for all students.
Vision: We envision a New Jersey where public educators are respected supported equipped to thrive—and where every student has access to high-quality inclusive safe education. Guided by our diverse member-driven community NJEA advances educational excellence equity social justice through organizing advocacy professional development community engagement.
