The New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) has adopted a new Strategic Purpose, Mission and Vision to guide its work in the coming years. The decision was made at the NJEA Delegate Assembly meeting on January 10, 2026, following a unanimous vote by both the Delegate Assembly and the Executive Committee.
This move replaces the previous Mission, Vision and Goals that have directed NJEA’s efforts for decades. According to NJEA officials, the change is intended to align the union’s priorities with its commitment to being a justice-centered labor organization.
NJEA President Steve Beatty said that changes in education and society prompted this update. “Our members face challenges that look very different from those of 20 or 30 years ago,” Beatty said. “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.”
Vice President Petal Robertson emphasized member involvement in shaping the plan. “This process was about listening to members and making sure their priorities shaped the outcome,” Robertson said. “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.”
Secretary-Treasurer Tina Dare noted how this framework will influence decision-making within NJEA: “NJEA members deserve a union that shares our values and is committed to our success,” Dare said. “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 new plan is organized around three pillars: Membership; Labor Rights; Solidarity and Justice. These pillars include commitments such as recruiting and retaining members, advancing economic security, ensuring professional respect, promoting academic freedom, cultivating diverse leadership structures, strengthening public schools, and engaging all voices.
The process began last spring with input gathered from members across New Jersey by a Strategic Planning Steering Committee led by facilitator Lisa Nentl-Bloom. A significant moment occurred during last July’s Summer Leadership Conference when leaders took part in planning sessions that helped shape the draft plan.
Throughout autumn 2025, revisions were made based on continued feedback until consensus was reached ahead of January’s vote.
Beatty highlighted how important it was for members’ perspectives to be central throughout: “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 noted that flexibility remains key moving forward: “This is not a document that sits on a shelf,” Beatty added. “We will use it in our planning work. 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 core statements guiding NJEA now read:
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; where every student has access to high-quality inclusive safe education; guided by diverse member-driven community advancing educational excellence equity social justice through organizing advocacy professional development community engagement.
