Troy NEA Newsletter

Homecoming is September 26th! 🎉
Troy NEA will be walking in the parade during Homecoming—showing pride in our schools, our students, and our profession. Look for us in the parade and stop by to say hello!

If you’re walking in the parade with us, you’ll receive your T-shirt early (pick up is the 30th otherwise) so you can wear it proudly!

We Want to Hear From YOU 📝
Your voice matters. If you’ve had issues with shortened lunch times, tiered schedules, after-school expectations, or anything else that impacts your work, share it through our Concerns Form. The more input we collect, the stronger our case when we push for solutions.

First District-Wide NEA Meeting 📅
📍 Lincoln County Health Department
📆 Monday, September 30th
⏰ 3:00 PM & 4:30 PM

Come for:

• Door prizes 🎁

• Raffles 🎟️

• Updates on bargaining, member concerns, and building our power together

T-shirts will be distributed at this meeting. If you can’t make it, we’ll send yours through interoffice mail—just let us know. Sweatshirts (if you ordered one) are $18.

Missed the chance to order a T-shirt? You can still grab one here: Order Link

It PAYS to be NEA! 👕📸
Wear your NEA gear on paydays to show our community a united front.

📸 Snap a photo of yourself or your team and send it in—we’d love to feature our members showing their pride!

September Highlights
✅ We are just a handful of members away from beginning the bargaining process!
✅ New members are joining every week—welcome aboard!
✅ NEA gear is in—watch for distribution soon!

Get Involved This Month:

• Walk with us in the Homecoming Parade—families welcome!

• Wear your NEA shirt on Fridays & send us your photos

• Invite a colleague to our September 30th meeting

Our Union. Our Profession. 💪

Our quarterly Troy NEA meetings are coming up and will be held at the Lincoln County Health Department. We’ll be hosting tiered meetings to better serve everyone:

• Secondary Staff: 3:00 PM

• Elementary Staff: 4:30 PM

Can’t make it in person? No problem – Zoom options will be available for both sessions.

These meetings are your opportunity to share your thoughts before we meet with Central Office. While we’ll continue sending out surveys, this is your chance to speak directly, learn more about what NEA is working on, and find ways to get involved.

Your attendance really makes a difference – we hope to see you there!

Alesha goes above and beyond for her colleagues—advocating for those in her building, getting answers for their concerns, and recruiting new members. Her dedication and leadership make a real difference in our schools and our union.

We are so lucky to have her on our team—thank you, Alesha!

Policy & Contract Review
We’re taking a deep dive into board policies, teacher contracts, and the district handbook so every educator understands how district decisions affect YOU. Knowledge is power — and NEA makes sure you have it.

Building Toward Bargaining
Troy NEA, together with Missouri NEA, has a clear plan: we only need about 5 more members to hit 30% membership — the threshold to trigger a State Board of Mediation election.

Getting 30 more members would solidify that 30% for us and give Troy educators an even stronger bargaining position. This is real power for your workplace, and every new member brings us closer. If you want more info on this process, please reach out.

Board of Education: Preparing for 2026 Elections

Three seats on the Lincoln County R-III Board of Education will be up for re-election in 2026, and this is our chance to make our voices heard. The decisions the Board makes impact your classroom, your students, and our schools.

Troy NEA is working to elect pro-public education candidates to ensure our schools stay strong, educators are supported, and students get the resources they deserve. If we stay silent, those who don’t prioritize public education could fill these seats.

How You Can Help:

• Stay Informed: Watch for announcements about candidates and their positions.

• Engage Early: Encourage colleagues and community members to learn about the candidates.

• Show NEA Pride: Attend board meetings, participate in events, and help build a culture of advocacy.

• Spread the Word: Start conversations about why strong public schools matter and why supporting the right candidates is crucial.

Thanks to growing membership, more issues are being brought to the forefront — from shortened lunches to after-school expectations — and NEA has been able to step in, advocate, and push for solutions. Every new member strengthens our voice, and every concern documented gives us more leverage with Central Office and the Board of Education.

We’re building momentum, making NEA more visible and more effective every day, and this is just the beginning. The more we engage, the stronger we get — and the more impact we can have on the policies that shape our classrooms and careers.

New Troy NEA t-shirts are here!

• Pick-up: September 30th at our district-wide meeting

• Parade Early Pickup: If you’re walking in the Homecoming Parade, we’ll get your shirt to you sooner

• Can’t Attend? We’ll send your shirt through interoffice mail—just let us know

• Sweatshirts: If you ordered one, they are $18

• Missed the order? You can still grab a t-shirt here: [Order Link]

Why wear it? Every shirt worn on pay day, at meetings, and around the district is a visible reminder: NEA is strong, united, and active. Snap a photo of yourself or your team in your gear and send it in — we want to feature your pride!

Every shirt worn, every meeting attended, and every colleague invited to join makes our voice stronger. If you stay on the sidelines, you’re letting opportunities slip — not because you don’t care, but because MSTA can look like they have power when they don’t.

Administration may notice our visibility — and that’s okay. If they have a problem, tell them to take it up with the executive team. You join NEA for the protection and collective strength that only a union can provide.

We can’t reach fence-sitters or “eh, I don’t really care” educators if we stay idle. Every member who steps up builds momentum, strengthens bargaining power, and shows our community we’re united.

NEA is the union that can give you a real seat at the table with Central Office and the Board of Education. If you want your voice heard, your rights protected, and your profession respected — stand proud, and get involved.

Your presence at Board of Education meetings matters — it’s how we show the district that Troy NEA members are engaged, informed, and united.

Next BOE Meeting:
📆 Tuesday, September 17th
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 LCR3 Board Room at Central Office

Why Attend:

• Hear updates on district policies and decisions that affect your work

• Share concerns and questions directly with board members

• Show support for your colleagues and your union

• Strengthen NEA’s voice and influence at every level

Even if you don’t speak, your presence sends a message: NEA members are active, informed, and united.

• Community & Visibility – NEA is present at events, social media campaigns, and school activities.

• Investing in YOU – Dues fund advocacy, legal support, organizing, and member resources.

MSTA

Your building representative (rep) is more than just a support during disciplinary actions. They are a vital resource whenever you face:

• Investigations or disciplinary meetings that could affect your employment

• Interactions with law enforcement or CPS—especially when you're asked to give statements, comply, or participate in an inquiry

• Mandatory reporting situations involving suspected child abuse or neglect

• Legal consultations, court summons, or serious administrative meetings

• Any context that feels unclear, escalates, or involves administrative pressure

You have the right to request union representation in these circumstances. Don’t hesitate to contact your building rep—immediately—whenever you find yourself in such a situation. Their presence ensures your rights are protected, proper procedures are followed, and you’re never navigating these complex scenarios alone.

If you’re ever unsure about whether to call your rep, it’s always better to ask. Your union is here to support you—especially when it matters most.

Missouri NEA understands the challenges educators and support professionals face when it comes to furthering their education. That's why, thanks to funding from Reliant Financial Services, your MNEA membership makes you eligible for a $500 tuition grant toward the cost of a three-hour course. This grant supports your academic growth and helps you become the best educator you can be.

Who Can Apply:

• Probationary Teachers: In the first five years of teaching, working toward a Master's degree.

• Education Support Professionals (ESP): Taking a course to advance your career in education.

Important Details:

• Only one grant per member per year.

• The course must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better before funds are disbursed.

• Grants cover classes taken January–December 2025.

• Winners are selected by random drawing.

• MNEA membership must be active at the time of application and disbursement.

Deadline:

• Applications must be received or postmarked by Jan. 31, 2026.

• Drawing will be held on Feb. 8, 2026.

💡 Take advantage of this opportunity to grow your skills, expand your knowledge, and get $500 toward your next course!

Apply Now

Dates: November 21–23, 2025

Location: Chesterfield, MO

Missouri NEA members are invited to a member-led conference focused on practical strategies, collaboration, and professional growth. With 30+ sessions led by talented educators and association leaders, this conference is designed to inspire, equip, and connect educators across the state.

Conference Highlights:

• Professional Practice Advocacy: Workshops on classroom and school best practices.

• Leading in K–12 Spaces: Strategies for effective leadership, from the classroom to administrative roles.

• National & State Opportunities: Discover initiatives, resources, and networks to grow your professional impact.

This is your chance to learn, grow, and network with peers while shaping the future of education in Missouri.

Over the past decade, The NEA Foundation has invested more than $8 million to support 5,000+ educators nationwide. Grants help you bring innovative ideas into your classroom and enhance student learning.

Grant Opportunities:

• Student Success Grants – Fund initiatives to improve academic achievement.

• Learning and Leadership Grants – Support high-quality professional development activities.

• Envision Equity Grants – Test creative ideas that showcase exemplary teaching and learning.

Who Can Apply: NEA members who are teachers, education support professionals, or specialized instructional support personnel. Current NEA Foundation grantees are not eligible.

Funding: $1,500 or $5,000 per grant, chosen by a team of experienced educators based on quality and potential impact.

Deadlines:

• Winter: Dec. 1 – Feb. 1

• Spring: March 1 – April 28

• Summer: June 15 – Sept. 15

Learn more and apply at The NEA Foundation website, and check out past Missouri NEA members’ projects in their Grantee Archive.

Your NEA membership isn’t just a card—it’s real action and real impact for Missouri educators. Here’s what your support is funding right now:

📄 Lawsuit Over $51M School Vouchers

MNEA is taking a stand against a law that diverts $51 million in public funds to private school vouchers—a move that would hurt Missouri’s public schools, especially in rural communities.

Our union was the only one with the courage to take this fight to court, and we’re not backing down. This is more than a legal battle—it’s a fight for the heart of our communities. When you weaken public schools, you weaken the towns they serve.

Your dues are directly funding this fight, protecting the schools that educate our children and support our communities. NEA members like you are the reason we can take a stand and defend Missouri’s public education.

📱 New Student Cell Phone Law

Missouri now requires districts to adopt policies limiting student cell phone use during the school day. NEA is actively monitoring implementation and keeping members informed. Your membership ensures you know how laws affect your classroom.

👩‍🏫 Retired Teachers Can Sub Longer
Thanks to new legislation extending this option through 2030, retired educators can substitute teach without losing retirement benefits. NEA advocated for this change to support our retired members staying involved in classrooms.

💰 Teacher Pay Proposal
Lawmakers are considering raising the minimum teacher salary from $25,000 to $40,000, with adjustments for experience and inflation. NEA is at the table lobbying for fair pay and working to make sure every Missouri teacher benefits.

🗣 Get Involved with MNEA
From Capitol Action Days to statewide committees, there are many ways to make your voice heard. Your dues fund this work—and give YOU a seat at the table. Learn more at mnea.org.