MYTH: ISTA shows partisan support for Democrats.
FACT: We support pro-education candidates, whether they are Democrat, Republican or other.

MYTH: I don't have a voice in what the association does.
FACT: WRONG. First, if you want your voice heard, speak up. Be an active member and let people in on how you feel. No one will know unless you tell them. Second, you have a voice in your local just by being a member. You elect delegates to ISTA & NEA annual assemblies and help elect officers and board members for ISTA.

MYTH: My spouse is a teacher, so I don't need to join.
FACT: The only thing you would being sharing with your spouse's membership is the newsletter. You would never think of carrying life insurance on just one family member, and joining the association should be thought of as "career insurance."

MYTH: NEA is opposed to school prayer.
FACT: No, NEA is not opposed to it. Its resolution states that students should have the right to school prayer, but not prayer that is organized and authorized by the school system.

MYTH: The association doesn't do anything for students.
FACT: No, the opposite is true. We work in the legislature to get bills passed that will improve education, help fund it, and provide quality programs for all students. At the state and national levels, we help the public view public education in a more positive way through TV, radio & newspaper advertising and through community relations programs. We also help members become better employees through our professional development program.

MYTH: I don't need to join because I get all the benefits anyway.
FACT: WRONG. Association members have a voice in negotiations priorities and in who to elect as association officers. You don't. They are paying the tab for you right now. Also, there is strength in numbers and the school board knows how many people are members. By not joining you are jeopardizing the negotiating power the association has. We need everyone to be a member if we want to get our agenda accomplished

MYTH: I don't always agree with the association.
FACT: As a member, you have the right to disagree and the responsibility to help change what you don't like. You have dozens of opportunities to change the direction of the organization. But if you aren't a member or you aren't an active member, you can't change anything.

MYTH: I can't afford the dues, and if I could it wouldn't be worth the amount.
FACT: How could you afford not to join? It's like an investment in a kind of job insurance or an investment in the future of your profession. Also, if you use the Educator Access or Member Benefits programs, which give you LOTS of discounts, you can essentially get your dues dollars back.

MYTH: The association is mostly about protecting bad teachers & that's not right!
FACT: We protect every member's right to due process. We don't make a judgement call on whether you are right or wrong - we just make sure you are treated fairly.

MYTH: I'm a great teacher and outstanding employee. I will never need the association's protection.
FACT: We are sure you are, but you never know when your employment situation will change. Maybe you will get a supervisor who doesn't like you or doesn't appreciate your work style. Maybe you will get a parent who doesn't like you or doesn't appreciate your work style and decides to complain to the principal. You can join after something happens but your membership isn't retroactive! You will get no protection for a situation that has already occured.

MYTH: I oppose unions. Isn't that what we are?
FACT: Technically, no. We are an association of people who come together who share common interests and a goal of improving the public education system, for students and for educators. But, if you believe that people that organize themselves to advocate for students, for members, and for public education makes up a union, then yes we are a union.