About the UEA

Why should I join the Utah Education Association?

Joining the Utah Education Association means you do not have to navigate the education profession alone.

UEA members receive workplace advocacy, due process and legal support, educator liability insurance, professional learning, leadership opportunities, member benefits and access to a statewide network of public educators.

UEA membership also builds collective strength. When more educators join together, they have a stronger voice in decisions about pay, staffing, planning time, safety, student services and the resources public schools need.

One educator can raise a concern. Thousands of educators working together can create lasting change.

What do UEA members receive?

Utah Education Association members receive support at the local, state and national levels.

Membership provides access to:

• Workplace representation and advocacy
• Due process and legal support
• Educator employment liability insurance
• Collective bargaining and organizing assistance
• Professional learning and leadership development
• Legislative and public policy advocacy
• Trusted information and educator resources
• Member discounts and financial benefits
• A statewide community of public educators

UEA is there when something goes wrong, but membership is about more than protection. Membership is also how educators work together to make their schools, communities and profession better.

Does one UEA membership really make a difference?

Yes. Every UEA member strengthens the collective voice of Utah educators.

Strong membership gives educators more influence when working with school districts, school boards, lawmakers and other decision-makers. It helps local associations advocate from a position of strength and turn educator experience into better policies, working conditions and learning environments.

Your membership strengthens your local association, UEA and the voice of public educators across Utah.

How does UEA membership benefit students?

UEA membership benefits students because educator working conditions are student learning conditions.

Competitive pay helps schools recruit and retain qualified educators. Protected planning time helps teachers prepare effective instruction. Adequate staffing gives students more individual attention and support. Safe and fair workplaces help schools keep experienced professionals.

UEA members advocate for the conditions educators need to do their best work and students need to thrive.

What is UEA’s mission?

The Utah Education Association works in partnership with educators, families and communities to advance public education, strengthen the education profession, promote quality schools for Utah’s children and support the well-being of members.

UEA’s vision is: A safe, equitable school for every child.

What are UEA’s priorities?

UEA’s work is organized around four commitments.

Quality public schools

UEA advocates for strong public schools with the staffing, funding and resources every student needs.

UEA builds partnerships that improve student outcomes while strengthening and elevating the education profession.

Organizational growth and capacity

UEA invests in members, building representatives and local leaders because a strong organization gives educators a stronger voice.

Growing membership and developing member leaders increases UEA’s ability to improve public education throughout Utah.

Professional development and support

Education should be a respected, supported and sustainable career.

UEA provides professional learning, supports aspiring and new educators and helps local associations improve pay, working conditions and student learning environments.

Social and racial justice

UEA believes every child deserves a safe and equitable public school.

UEA works with educators, parents and community partners to address educational inequities and to remove barriers that prevent students from receiving the opportunities, resources and support they need to succeed.

What professional learning does UEA provide?

The Utah Education Association provides professional learning created by educators for educators.

Members can access:

• The UEA Professional Learning Academy
• More than 175 NEA micro-credentials
• Discounted graduate courses
• Leadership development opportunities
• Statewide conferences and events
• The Summer Learning Institute
• The Listen, Learn, Lead podcast

UEA’s professional learning programs help educators develop practical skills, grow as leaders and connect with colleagues throughout Utah.

Professional learning is part of UEA’s commitment to making education a sustainable and rewarding career.

Explore UEA professional learning opportunities

Does UEA membership include discounts?

Yes. UEA and NEA members have access to discounts and programs that can help with insurance, travel, entertainment, technology, financial services and other expenses.

Member benefits and offers may change. Members should review UEA and NEA Member Benefits for current programs.

Explore current UEA member discounts and benefits

What legal and workplace support does UEA provide?

UEA’s legal support program protects members’ due process rights.

UEA members have access to advocates who understand educator employment law, school district policies and procedures, educator ethical standards and license discipline issues, and the general realities of working in public education.

UEA may assist members with employment-related concerns involving:

• Adverse personnel actions initiated by a school district
• Termination, demotion, suspension or involuntary transfer
• Enforcement of collective bargaining agreements and board policies
• Unemployment insurance applications and appeals
• Educator licensing investigations involving the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission

In addition, through its relationship with NEA, UEA members receive Educator Employment Liability Insurance as part of their membership.

UEA members do not have to face employment concerns alone. UEA advocacy includes assistance inside the school building; access to UniServ and Regional Directors; elected governance; and the Unified Legal Services Program.

Learn about UEA legal and due process support

Does UEA membership include liability insurance?

Yes. UEA membership includes coverage through the NEA Educators Employment Liability Program.

The program provides an additional layer of protection for certain claims, lawsuits or charges connected to a member’s professional work.

Coverage is subject to certain terms, limitations and exclusions. Speak to a UniServ Director for more information regarding the EEL insurance. 

When does UEA legal and workplace support begin?

UEA legal and workplace support is available when membership begins. There is no waiting period. Educators should become members before a problem arises and contact their UniServ director at the first sign of a workplace concern.

Why does due process matter in public education?

Due process ensures employment and license discipline decisions involving public educators are fair, evidence-based, proportional and consistent.

Due process requires school districts to follow established regulations, laws, policies and negotiated agreements. It also protects educators from arbitrary discipline, retaliation and decisions made without a fair review of the facts or insufficient evidence.

A fair process does not prevent accountability. It helps ensure accountability is accurate and justified.

What should a UEA member do when there is a problem at work?

A UEA member should contact their UniServ director as soon as a workplace concern arises.

A UniServ director is an experienced UEA staff member who works with educators and local associations in a specific area of Utah. UniServ directors help members understand their rights, school district procedures, board policies and negotiated agreements.

Support may also begin with a building representative or local association leader. When additional assistance is needed, the UniServ director can connect the member with UEA’s legal services program.

All potential legal matters must first go through the member’s UniServ director.

Find your UniServ Office

Does UEA protect bad teachers?

No. The Utah Education Association protects members’ due process rights. UEA does not excuse misconduct, escape accountability or guarantee that anyone will keep a job or license regardless of their conduct.

Due process ensures an educator knows the allegations against them, has an opportunity to review and respond to the evidence and receives a decision based on facts and established regulations,laws, policies and agreements.

As licensed Educators, UEA members are held to high professional standards. UEA advocacy resources make sure members are also be protected from retaliation, inconsistent treatment and arbitrary discipline.

Accountability and due process can and should exist together.

What leadership opportunities are available?

UEA members can serve as building representatives, local association leaders, committee members, delegates and elected officers.

Members also have opportunities to participate in professional learning, advocacy, bargaining, organizing and statewide events.

Leadership opportunities allow educators to build new skills, represent their colleagues and help shape the future of their association and profession.

Better pay in Washington County

In 2026, Washington County Education Association members negotiated raises of up to $9,000 for veteran teachers and at least $4,200 for beginning teachers

The state contribution accounted for $311 of the increase. Nearly all of the remaining increase was achieved through local negotiations with school district and school board leaders.. The significant increase comes after 10 years of WCEA working with the district to support educators in one of Utah's fastest-growing counties.

More classroom support in Juab County

Juab Education Association members worked with their school district to create two permanent substitute positions serving five schools.

The change reduced the number of planning periods secondary teachers lost to cover classes. It also helped keep instructional assistants with the elementary students who needed their support.

The result was more support, less disruption and more time for educators to focus on their work.

Protecting public money for public schools

In May 2024, the UEA and other plaintiffs sued the State of Utah to challenge the Utah Fits All private school voucher program.

The lawsuit argued that the program violated the Utah Constitution by diverting public education funds to private schools that are not free, open to every student or overseen by the Utah State Board of Education.

On April 18, 2025, the Third District Court ruled that the voucher program was unconstitutional.

The state has appealed the decision to the Utah Supreme Court, and the program remains in effect while the appeal is pending. UEA continues working to protect public funds and ensure they support strong public schools that serve every Utah student.

Learn about UEA’s challenge to the Utah Fits All voucher program

Preserving collective bargaining rights

In 2025, HB 267 Public Sector Labor Union Amendments threatened to eliminate collective bargaining rights for Utah public workers.

The UEA helped lead the Protect Utah Workers coalition with 20 other unions. More than 5,000 volunteers, many of them UEA members, collected more than 320,000 signatures in 30 days through a history-making statewide referendum effort.

In December 2025, the Utah Legislature repealed the law, preserving the ability of public educators and other public workers to negotiate with their employers.

These victories happened because educators and working people came together and refused to give up their voice.

Read more Utah collective bargaining victories

What is collective bargaining?

Collective bargaining gives public educators a formal voice in decisions about their pay, benefits and working conditions.

Educator representatives and school district leaders work together to negotiate an agreement. In districts without a formal collective bargaining agreement, organized educators may use a meet-and-confer process to bring member priorities to district leaders.

Collective bargaining and meet-and-confer processes are strongest when educators participate and their local association has strong membership.

Does collective bargaining make a difference?

Yes. According to NEA’s 2026 educator pay analysis, teachers earn 24 percent more on average in states where they have collective bargaining rights.

The value goes beyond pay. Collective bargaining gives educators a way to address staffing, benefits, planning time, safety, workload and the resources students need.

Educator pay is a student issue. When qualified public educators can afford to remain in the profession, schools are more stable and students benefit from experienced teachers who know their schools and communities.

Is UEA a union?

Yes. The Utah Education Association is a member-led labor union and professional association representing Utah public educators.

UEA supports individual members while bringing educators together to improve their schools, profession and public education system.

Who runs the Utah Education Association?

The Utah Education Association is governed by elected public educators in Utah.

UEA members elect the association’s president, vice president and Board of Directors. Board members represent educators from communities throughout Utah and bring their areas' priorities into statewide decisions.

Each spring, elected delegates from local associations gather for the UEA House of Delegates. Delegates vote on UEA policies, legislative priorities and budget.

The elected Board of Directors carries out that direction and oversees the association between annual House of Delegates meetings. UEA staff provide professional expertise and carry out member decisions, but members set the direction.

Member Governance Path

Members elect local leaders → Elected delegates vote on UEA’s direction →

Board of Directors oversees the work → UEA staff carry out member decisions

Is UEA controlled by NEA?

No. The National Education Association does not control the Utah Education Association.

UEA is a state affiliate of NEA, which connects Utah members with national expertise, professional learning, liability coverage and member benefits.

UEA’s policies and priorities are determined by Utah educators through the UEA House of Delegates and elected Board of Directors. NEA does not decide UEA’s positions or direct its work in Utah. 

However, UEA delegates vote on NEA's direction, position, and leadership.

Is UEA part of NEA?

Yes. The Utah Education Association is a state affiliate of the National Education Association.

The affiliation gives UEA members access to national resources, expertise, benefits and advocacy. UEA remains separately governed by Utah educators.

How are local associations, UEA and NEA connected?

Local associations, UEA and NEA provide support at different levels. Each has its own member-led governance.

Your local association

Your local association represents educators in your school district and works on local priorities such as pay, benefits, staffing, workplace policies and working conditions.

The Utah Education Association

UEA brings educators together statewide and provides legal services, professional learning, organizing, communications and legislative advocacy.

The National Education Association

NEA connects members with national resources, expertise, liability coverage, benefits and advocacy.

This unified structure gives members support close to home, a strong voice across Utah and access to national resources while keeping UEA’s direction in the hands of Utah public educators.

When was the Utah Education Association founded?

The Utah Education Association traces its roots to 1860, when Utah educators formed the Deseret School Teachers’ Association to promote education throughout the community.

The organization was incorporated as the Utah Educational Association in 1910 and formally adopted the name Utah Education Association in 1924.

For more than 165 years, Utah public educators have worked together to strengthen their profession, improve public schools and advocate for students.

Why is UEA involved in public policy?

The Utah Education Association is involved in public policy because decisions made by elected officials directly affect Utah classrooms.

Lawmakers and other public officials make decisions about school funding, educator pay, staffing, student services, professional rights, curriculum requirements and working conditions.

UEA brings the experience of public educators into those conversations. Legislative advocacy is one part of UEA’s broader work to support educators, strengthen public schools and help students succeed.

Is UEA affiliated with one political party?

No. The Utah Education Association is not affiliated with or guided by one political party.

UEA’s work is guided by its commitment to students, public schools and the education profession.

UEA works with policymakers across the political spectrum. UEA policies and priorities are determined by Utah educators through the association’s member-led governing process.

UEA-PAC, the political arm of UEA, is funded by voluntary donations and not political dues. It comprises bipartisan teams of educators to evaluate candidates based on their records, responses, and support for public education, regardless of party affiliation.

Are UEA member dues used to support political parties or candidates?

No. UEA member dues are never used to fund political parties or candidate campaigns.

Member dues may support legislative advocacy and public policy work, including Educator Day on the Hill and UEA Policy Ambassadors.

Candidate support is funded through separate, voluntary contributions to UEA-PAC.

UEA member dues are never used to fund political parties or candidates.

What is UEA-PAC?

UEA-PAC is the Utah Education Association Political Action Committee.

UEA-PAC was founded in 1964 and is directed by educator members from throughout Utah. It gives people who choose to participate a way to support candidates who share their commitment to strong public schools.

UEA-PAC collaborates with candidates and policymakers from both major political parties. Its recommendations are based on candidates’ support for public education, not their political affiliation.

Learn more about UEA-PAC

Do UEA members have to contribute to UEA-PAC?

No. Contributions to UEA-PAC are completely voluntary and separate from UEA membership dues.

Members decide whether they want to contribute. Choosing not to contribute does not affect UEA membership or member benefits.

Donate to UEA-PAC

How does UEA-PAC recommend candidates?

UEA-PAC uses an educator-led, bipartisan candidate recommendation process focused on public education.

Candidates generally complete a questionnaire and participate in an interview. Local educator teams interview legislative candidates and submit recommendations to UEA-PAC.

UEA-PAC directly considers candidates for statewide offices and the Utah State Board of Education.

Recommendations are based on candidates’ records, responses and commitment to public education, not their political party.

UEA-PAC does not to oppose candidates.

Learn how UEA-PAC recommends candidates

Do UEA members have to agree with every UEA position?

No large member organization speaks for every member on every issue.

UEA’s positions are established through a democratic, member-led process. Members elect leaders, select delegates and have opportunities to help shape UEA policies and priorities.

Membership gives educators a voice in that process.

Who can join the Utah Education Association?

Active UEA membership is available to eligible full- and part-time Utah public school educators who hold or are pursuing an appropriate teaching license. Active membership also includes qualifying technical-trades educators.

UEA offers additional membership options for:

• Aspiring educators enrolled in qualifying teacher-preparation programs
• Certain former members
• Educators on an approved leave of absence
• Qualifying teaching interns and graduate students
• Retired educators
• Eligible UEA and affiliate professional staff

Membership eligibility depends on a person’s employment and career status. Anyone who is unsure which category applies should contact UEA or their local association.

Review Utah Education Association membership categories

How much does UEA membership cost?

UEA membership dues vary by local association, so there is not one statewide dues amount.

Total membership dues include local, state and national association portions. A local association, building representative or UniServ office can provide the exact amount that applies to an individual educator.

Where your dues dollars go

What do UEA membership dues support?

UEA membership dues support both the services individual members receive and the work educators do together.

Membership dues help provide:

• Workplace representation and advocacy
• Due process and legal services
• Educator employment liability insurance
• Local advocacy and collective bargaining support
• Organizing support for local associations
• Professional learning and leadership development
• Trusted communications and educator resources
• Legislative advocacy for public schools
• Research and member benefits
• Collective strength to improve pay, working conditions and learning environments

UEA member dues are never used to fund political parties or candidate campaigns.