How did the National Education Association try to advance the teaching profession after its founding in 1857?

Founded in 1857 as the National Teachers Association, the National Education Association (NEA) was established with the explicit mission to elevate the character and advance the interests of the teaching profession.1

While the organization initially had limited influence, it began to grow and prosper significantly following its 1870 merger with the National Association of School Superintendents and the American Normal School Association. To advance the profession, the NEA utilized a complex structure of committees, commissions, and councils to provide services such as research, publications, and the promotion of federal legislation.21

The association also fostered specialized professional development by incorporating various departments—such as the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education—to address specific vocational interests. By establishing these bodies, the NEA sought to bring order and dignity to the field, while also advocating for the welfare of its members and the defense of their professional rights. Through these efforts, the organization worked to improve working conditions and influence the broader landscape of public education.21