NEA President Princess Moss begins term leading nation’s largest labor union

WASHINGTON - Princess R. Moss begins her term today as president of the National Education Association (NEA), leading the nation's largest labor union and representing nearly 3 million educators and education support professionals in every state and territory. Moss was elected at the NEA's 105^th Representative Assembly in July.

An elementary school music teacher and longtime advocate for students, educators, and public schools, Moss previously served as NEA vice president and secretary-treasurer. She is a former president of the Virginia Education Association, where she helped advance collective bargaining rights and greater investment in public education. Moss has served on numerous education and nonprofit boards and was appointed by two Virginia governors to statewide education leadership positions. She holds a bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Mary Washington and a master's degree in educational administration and supervision from the University of Virginia.

"I am deeply honored to serve as the president of the National Education Association, and I carry the trust educators have placed in me with both gratitude and humility," said Moss. "I came to this work as a classroom teacher, and that will always be at the heart of how I lead. I want every educator to know that I see you, I hear you, and I understand the responsibility you carry every day for your students. And I want every student, no matter their race, background, ZIP code or circumstances, to have a public school where they are supported, challenged, celebrated, and given every opportunity to thrive.

As president, Moss will focus on moving NEA from resistance to renaissance by giving a voice to every member and ensuring that they are engaged every day, not just during the big moments. Central to that vision is a commitment to continuous organizing and leadership rooted in the experiences of educators themselves. Moss believes NEA's local and state affiliates are its most important eyes and ears, and she intends to ensure that the voices of members on the ground help shape the union's national direction. Her priorities also include elevating educator expertise in policymaking, organizing around the issues that unite people across political lines, and making the case for greater federal and state investment in public education.

"We have spent years standing up against efforts to weaken public education, and we will never stop defending our students," said Moss. "But this moment also calls us to build. I want us to imagine what becomes possible when the people closest to our students help set our direction, and when we use our collective voice not only to respond to decisions but to shape them. That is how we move from resistance to renaissance."

Moss's commitment to public education is deeply personal. Both of her parents were school bus drivers who believed in the power of a good public school to expand what was possible for a student. As a young teacher, Moss experienced firsthand the power of organizing when she joined with parents to successfully fight to save a school band program she had helped establish. Those experiences shaped a leadership philosophy grounded in truth, love, and justice.

Last week, Moss embarked on a nationwide back-to-school tour, traveling to communities across the country to hear directly from educators, students, parents, and community members about what they need to thrive. The tour includes stops in Virginia, California, Washington, Idaho, Ohio, Iowa, and Michigan, highlighting the experiences of those on the front lines of public education and reinforcing NEA's commitment to listening to and amplifying their voices.

"This tour has reminded me that the most important lessons are often learned by showing up, listening, and learning from the people who know their schools and communities best," said Moss. "Every conversation has deepened my understanding of what our students, educators, and families need-and what is possible when we build solutions together."

Moss will serve a three-year term alongside Vice President Noel Candelaria, a special education teacher from Texas who previously served as secretary-treasurer, and Secretary-Treasurer Robert Varela Rodriguez, a special education teacher from California and a former member of the NEA Executive Committee.

Follow us on Bluesky at https://bsky.app/profile/neapresident.bsky.social & https://bsky.app/profile/neatoday.bsky.social

###

The National Education Association is the nation's largest labor union, representing nearly 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org.