By Richard and Molly Jesse

Gone are the days when teachers’ unions just advocated for higher wages, better working conditions, and good health insurance. An analysis by Defending Education reveals that, since August 2015, the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) have funneled $669 million of member dues and PAC funds into left-wing political entities, far-left nonprofits, and Democratic campaign operations. Include state and local affiliates, and the total exceeds $1 billion. 

A new report sheds light on AFT and NEA spending tens of millions of dollars on electing Democratic political candidates, and prioritizing politicking over the needs and interests of their union members. The study found that of the NEA’s $450 million annual disbursement budget from fiscal year 2025, less than $46 million, or 10 percent, was spent on activities directly representing the union’s constituents.

The focus of teachers’ unions is no longer on educating our children in language arts, mathematics, sciences, civics, etc. What the NEA and AFT now value is political power and advancing a left-wing, social justice agenda. They are nothing more than a political machine focused on fomenting a political revolution.

The Association of American Educators (AAE) provides teachers with a non-union alternative. AAE is a national professional educators association in the United States. From AAE’s profile on LinkedIn, its stated mission is to “foster transformation of the teaching profession by empowering and supporting our community of professionals for the benefit of our students and the nation.” AAE’s vision is “a teaching profession that is student-oriented, well respected, and personally fulfilling.”

AAE provides teachers with the professional benefits they need – such as liability insurance and job protection – without funding partisan politics or non-education issues. It is not a union. It is not a lobbying organization. AAE is licensed as a 501 professional trade association that is funded by dues from its members.

The authors are Town of Essex residents, parents and grandparents. They are founders and directors of the non-profit Make Water Safe for the World, Inc. https://www.makewatersafe.org