Simone Lawson
Teachers are allowed to donate to political campaigns and engage in political activities during their off-duty time, as long as they do not use school resources. The National Education Association (NEA), a professional employee organization with 3 million members, is committed to advancing public education. It offers training to educators to help them develop the skills needed to run a successful campaign. While teachers can donate to groups that engage in advocacy and candidates' campaigns, they should do so on their own time and keep these activities separate from their work.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Donating to political campaigns | Allowed |
| Donating to groups that engage in advocacy | Allowed |
| Attending political gatherings | Allowed |
| Signing political petitions | Allowed |
| Starting a political petition | Allowed |
| Using school resources for political activism | Not allowed |
| Using school mailboxes for political activism | Not allowed |
| Using school email addresses for political activism | Not allowed |
| Displaying political buttons in the classroom | Allowed |
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What You'll Learn
- Teachers can donate to groups that engage in advocacy and candidates' campaigns
- Teachers can attend political gatherings like marches, rallies, and protests
- Teachers can sign petitions, but they must make it clear that they are signing in their personal capacity
- Teachers can wear political buttons, but not if they are deemed a distraction
- Teachers can volunteer on campaigns and take a leave of absence to do so
Teachers can donate to groups that engage in advocacy and candidates' campaigns
However, it is important to note that teachers should do so on their own time and using their own resources. They should not use school resources or conduct political activities during work time. Teachers are also generally free to sign political petitions or start their own, as long as they make it clear that they are signing in their personal capacity and have read and understood what they are signing.
Teachers can also donate to candidates' campaigns and groups that engage in advocacy, such as the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education, which is fueled by donations from educators who want to fight for real leaders at the federal and state levels, regardless of political party. They can attend fundraisers for these groups and candidates but should do so on their personal time, off school premises, and using their own devices.
Additionally, teachers can volunteer on campaigns or even run for office themselves. Some Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) allow educators to take a leave of absence, without pay, to campaign for a candidate or for office themselves.
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Teachers can attend political gatherings like marches, rallies, and protests
Teachers are free to attend political gatherings, including marches, rallies, and protests, as long as they do so on their own time and do not use school resources. They can speak to reporters, carry signs, and post pictures of themselves at these events on social media. However, they should make it clear that they are participating in their personal capacity and not as representatives of their employers.
Additionally, teachers should be mindful of their employer's interests and avoid taking part in political activities that could be seen as controversial or offensive. They should also ensure that the event is related to public interest rather than a private matter at their educational institution. While teachers have the right to free speech, their schools also have a legal duty to remain politically impartial. Therefore, teachers must navigate the balance between exercising their rights and maintaining their employer's political neutrality.
Furthermore, teachers have the responsibility to provide a politically impartial learning environment for their students. While they can share their views with pupils, they must take special care to do so without imposing their beliefs. Teachers play a crucial role in fostering a space where students can form their own opinions and navigate the diverse perspectives they encounter.
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Teachers can sign petitions, but they must make it clear that they are signing in their personal capacity
Public school teachers are allowed to sign petitions and engage in other forms of activism. However, they must make it clear that they are signing in their personal capacity and not as representatives of the school. Teachers should also refrain from using school resources or doing any political activism during work time. This means that teachers can express their support for a cause or candidate, but they should do so on their own time and using their own resources.
The National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization, is committed to advancing the cause of public education. The NEA hosts trainings to help educators develop the skills and confidence needed to run a successful campaign. The NEA also encourages educators to donate to groups that engage in advocacy and to candidates' campaigns. However, this should also be done on their own time and with their own resources.
Teachers have the right to discuss issues of public concern, such as cutbacks to educational funding, with their fellow teachers. They can also attend political gatherings such as marches, rallies, protests, and national conventions. At these events, they can speak to reporters, carry signs, and post pictures of themselves on social media. However, they should avoid associating with hate groups or offensive groups, as this could lead to disciplinary action or termination.
While teachers have the freedom to express their political views, there are some restrictions in place to maintain a neutral learning environment for students. For example, teachers should not initiate contact with district employees to enlist their support for a campaign, as this may cause undue pressure on the employee. Additionally, school districts cannot prohibit teachers from wearing union buttons in the classroom unless there are special circumstances, such as distraction.
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Teachers can wear political buttons, but not if they are deemed a distraction
Public school teachers are generally free to donate to political campaigns and engage in other forms of activism, but they must do so on their own time and should not use school resources. The National Education Association (NEA) is the nation's largest professional employee organization, with 3 million members working at every level of education. The NEA hosts trainings to help educators develop the confidence and skills needed to run a successful campaign. While teachers can donate to groups that engage in advocacy and candidates' campaigns, they should do so on their personal time, using their own devices, and off school premises. They are also free to attend political gatherings such as marches, rallies, and protests, and to sign political petitions.
When it comes to wearing political buttons or pins, teachers' free speech rights must be balanced with the school's need to maintain a neutral environment. The Supreme Court has held that schools cannot censor students' or teachers' freedom of expression simply because they disagree with the message. However, schools can regulate this expression if it could significantly disrupt the school environment or infringe on the rights of others. As such, a school board may adopt a viewpoint-neutral dress code policy that prevents employees from wearing political buttons during work hours. Ultimately, if a teacher's political button is deemed to be a distraction or disruptive, the school may have grounds to prohibit it.
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Teachers can volunteer on campaigns and take a leave of absence to do so
Teachers have strong First Amendment rights to engage in political activity. They are free to attend political gatherings, including marches, rallies, protests, and national conventions. They can also sign political petitions, but they should make it clear that they are signing in their personal capacity.
Teachers can volunteer on campaigns and are generally free to support and endorse political candidates. They can also donate to groups that engage in advocacy and to candidates' campaigns. However, they should do so on their own time and using their own devices, keeping these activities separate from their work and off school premises.
Some CBAs will allow teachers to take a leave of absence, without pay, to campaign for office or for a particular candidate. For example, the Hoboken Board of Education and the Hoboken Education Association Certified Personnel allowed for this between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2019.
Volunteering for a campaign may include occasional, isolated, or incidental use of corporate or labor organization facilities, such as using an office phone to make calls related to political volunteer work. This "incidental use" is limited to no more than one hour per week or four hours per month. When this limit is exceeded, the volunteer must reimburse the organization for the use of its facilities.
Volunteers can also use non-commercial community spaces, such as a church or community room, for campaign activities. They can also use the internet for voluntary activities, such as sending emails, providing hyperlinks, or creating and hosting websites.
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Frequently asked questions
Public school teachers can donate to political campaigns, but they must do so on their own time and not use school resources.
Yes, public school teachers can attend political rallies and gatherings. They can also speak to reporters, carry signs, and post pictures of themselves at these events on social media.
Teachers have the right to discuss issues of public concern, such as cutbacks to educational funding, with fellow teachers in faculty rooms and lunchrooms. They are also allowed to wear political buttons in the classroom unless it is deemed a distraction.
No, candidates who have district email accounts should not use those accounts to send or receive partisan materials. They may, however, use their private email accounts to send emails to district employees via district email accounts that are available to the general public.
