Vision, Mission and Goals

To be the united voice for excellence in public education in Florida

• Advocate the right to a free, quality public education for all
• Empower and support local affiliates
• Advance professional growth, development and status of all who serve the students in Florida’s public schools, colleges, and universities
• Engage our members and communities to ensure that all students learn and succeed in a diverse world

FEA Core Values:

These core values define the enduring character of FEA. They influence everything we do:

 

Integrity

 

• Demonstrating personal and collective responsibility and accountability for our actions.

 

Respect

 

• Valuing and respecting the diversity among individuals and locals.

 

Empowerment

 

• Empowering education professionals through organization, mobilization, collective action, and solidarity.

 

Advocacy

 

• Vigorously advocating for public education and our members.

Preamble:

 

FEA Strategic Goals:

 

The FEA strategic goals are of equal organizational importance and priority. The numbering of these goals is for ease of reference only and is not intended to reflect any prioritization of these goals.

 

Goal # 1: Set the standard for excellence in public education in Florida

 

We believe that the people who work in public education in Florida are knowledgeable, experienced and professional. We are the people who do the work day-to-day and we know what works and what doesn’t. We know what the research says about teaching and learning. We know what it takes to achieve educational excellence in Florida’s education system.

 

Our goal is to educate the public and supporters of public education to build a consensus for those things we know will need to be done to set the standards for excellence in our educational system. We will advocate for these things in the public arena and in the Florida Legislature.

 

Goal # 2: Be the most influential voice in the public education policy debate

 

We are the single largest organized force supporting public education in Florida. We believe it is our responsibility to use this position carefully and thoughtfully.  It also means we have a responsibility to be outspoken and knowledgeable.

 

Our goal is to be recognized as the organization that speaks with authority on issues of public education in Florida. Our credibility and authority will be based on having established ourselves as a knowledgeable and reliable resource on educational policy issues.

 

Goal # 3: Engage supporters of public education

 

We believe there are individuals and groups that support public education that can be organized and mobilized to bring the influence necessary to assure our schools are adequately funded and supported.

 

Our goal is to educate and mobilize these supporters into formidable coalitions in order to speak with one voice to the public and political leaders of Florida.

 

Goal # 4: Change the policy-making climate

 

We believe Florida’s policy makers must fulfill the state’s constitutional responsibility of providing adequate financial support for public education, as well as the needs of all education employees.  Florida deserves an organized political leadership with the will to provide the required resources to meet the challenges schools will be facing with increased intensity in the coming decade.

 

Our goal is to engage public debate to change the policy-making climate to one that is supportive to the changing needs in one of the fastest growing and diverse states in the nation.

 

Goal # 5: Empower and engage FEA locals as advocates for our members and for public education

 

We believe strong local organizations are the key to advocating for educational excellence in local communities and in representing the needs of our members in the workplace.  Our leaders must be knowledgeable and informed about the issues of the day and our membership must be equally engaged and committed to this cause. FEA needs to provide each local the support necessary to be an organized grassroots force within the community on the issues and needs of public education and our members.

 

Our goal is to be the statewide voice and advocate for public education and education workers in Florida; FEA and its locals must have the capacity to be an equally strong voice at the local grassroots level.

 

Goal # 6:  Be a responsive, efficient, and credible organization

 

We believe that FEA must be a learning organization which continually develops its collective knowledge throughout the organization and converts this learning into action to create its desired results.    We must continue to put processes and infrastructure in place to ensure the sustainability of our organizational growth and the stewardship of our resources including fiscal responsibility. We must be a model organization that seeks data from all voices, is flexible enough to meet changing needs, is a caring employer, and is continuously evaluating itself and learning in an ever-changing world.

 

Our goal is to be an organization that continuously monitors its long-term goals, programs, services, and structure to ensure we are meeting the needs of our locals, leaders, and members and fulfilling our values, vision, mission, and goals.

 

Goal # 7: Provide quality professional and leadership development

 

We believe FEA must advance the professional growth and development of all education employees:  therefore FEA must create an organizational environment which encourages and provides opportunities for its members, leaders, and staff to continually learn and develop. 

 

Our goal is to build the capacity within the locals to advance the professional growth and development of all education employees and to sustain FEA through leadership development.

 

Goal # 8: Build a growing membership organization

 

We believe that our diverse membership is our strength.

 

Our goal is to maximize membership growth though effective internal organizing while providing essential services and programs. 

 

Goals # 9: Embrace gender, ethnic, and cultural diversity

 

We believe FEA must model inclusiveness within the membership, leadership and staff.

Our goal is to create an organization that reflects the gender, ethnic, and multi-cultural diversity of our state.