History of the Future Educators Association®
21st Century: Elevating the Profession
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan addresses students at the 2012 FEA national conference.
FEA continues to grow and change in the 21st century. In 2005, the organization changed its name to the Future Educators Association to acknowledge its chapters outside the U.S. In 2010, the U.S. Department of Education Office of Vocational and Adult Education recognized FEA as a Career and Technical Student Organization, allowing cocurricular programs to apply for federal funding. In 2011, the PDK International Education Foundation distributed over $47,000 dollars to student members of the Future Educators Association who planned to enroll in education degree programs after high school. The same year, FEA launched Go Teach, a national magazine for high school students that aimed to elevate the image of the teaching profession by exploring new ways to teach and learn in the 21st century. At the beginning of 2012, FEA had over 11,000 members in 36 states, 30% of whom were from historically underrepresented populations in the teaching workforce.
Moving Forward
At the beginning of 2012, FEA had over 11,000 members in 36 states, 30% of whom were from historically underrepresented populations in the teaching workforce.
FEA chapters have tremendous potential to help solve challenges we face in education. […] You are the leaders who can inspire and lead this work. — Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education, 2011
Although FEA has had many homes and many names during its rich history, its purpose has remained largely the same: recruiting the best and most capable students and elevating the status of the profession. Over the years, FEA has helped thousands of students develop the skills and strong leadership traits that are found in high-quality educators. We hope that you’ll join us in our work and help keep the bridge to a career in education strong.
