Association of American Educators Announces Record National Membership Growth

Mission Viejo, CA – The Association of American Educators (AAE), a national, nonunion, professional association serving educators in all fifty states, is pleased to announce the largest membership increase in its history. In just the last four months, 4,000 educators joined the organization, despite AAE’s team of membership recruiters throughout the country were still greatly limited by school COVID-19 policies about staff gatherings, in-person events, and visitors. This growth is a 45 percent increase over the organization’s previous best recruiting season in 2019, a significant upward trend. The organization experienced some of its most significant membership growth in its newest state chapters including California and Nebraska, where hundreds of new members flocked to the organization.

“This wave of new members is confirmation that educators are realizing they have options and that AAE meets their professional association needs,” said AAE’s Executive Director Colin Sharkey. “In addition to our member benefits and outstanding legal services, our non-partisan mission, our focus on advancing the teaching profession, our respect for individuals, and prioritizing student-focused decision making are clearly resonating with today’s professional educators.”

The 2018 Janus v. AFSCME U.S. Supreme Court decision permits all educators to choose the professional association that best suits their budget, values, needs, and career goals; however, barriers to exercising association choice remain in many states. “Far too many educators are still unable to freely exercise their Janus rights, which leaves them paying involuntary dues, and waiting for narrow opt-out windows and inconvenient deadlines,” notes Sharkey. “We respect the right of every educator to make an active, informed, and voluntary decision about professional association membership.”

Although AAE has been in operation since the 1990s and has been serving members since that time, national direct recruiting efforts only began in earnest in the past decade. “We are grateful for the opportunity to serve these new members, who join tens of thousands of members throughout the country, in all fifty states and serving in all school types,” added Sharkey. “We celebrate what this membership growth means for the teaching profession and our nation’s students, and we look forward to continuing this momentum to reach and support many more classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, student teachers, and university professors in 2022 and beyond.”

The Association of American Educators (AAE) is the largest national, nonunion, professional educator organization, advancing the profession by offering a modern approach to educator empowerment and advocacy—promoting professionalism, collaboration, and excellence without a partisan agenda. AAE is committed to a teaching profession that is student oriented, well respected, and personally fulfilling. AAE serves members in all fifty states and welcomes professionals from all education entities. Membership is $16.50 per month and includes $2 million professional liability insurance, employment rights coverage, professional resources, and many other benefits. Classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, student teachers, university professors, and supporters can learn more at aaeteachers.org.