The Indiana State Teachers Association is an organization of people. Our purpose is to advocate for public schools, the children of Indiana and life long learning.
ISTA members are educators from every level of public education, including students preparing for a teaching career, those teaching in correction and health institutions, education support personnel and those retired from the profession. Anyone interested in ISTA membership may contact their building representative, their area UniServ Office, or the ISTA Headquarters in Indianapolis at 317-263-3400 or 800-382-4037.
You may join by completing the online membership form. Or you may obtain a membership form from your local association president or building representative. You may also call the ISTA at 800-382-4037 and request a form be mailed to you.
Membership entitles you to participate in ISTA conferences, UniServ and legal assistance, personal consultation on issues such as employment, retirement, certification, etc., receive mailings and communications from both the NEA and ISTA, $1 million liability policy, NEA/ISTA Member Benefits, Dues Tab Insurance, Member Protection Policy, Child Abuse Allegation Assistance, and much, much, more.
A variety of methods are available for payment of dues. They include: payroll deduction, credit card or personal check, electronic checking.
Dues Tab is a member only life insurance policy that provides coverage of up to $5,000. You are automatically enrolled in the program at no additional cost upon becoming a member and the amount of the policy continues to grow for each year that you hold continuous membership in the Association.
The mission of the ISTA is to provide the resources necessary to enable local affiliates to effectively advocate for members, children and for public education.
ISTA provides professional development, legal assistance, advocacy, special member only benefits and communications.
A major focus of ISTA is strengthening the teaching profession, helping teachers teach and children learn. This is accomplished through:
· Member rights protection
· Bargaining assistance
· Representation before state agencies
· Professional development opportunities
· Professional resources
· Lobbying efforts
· Legal assistance
· Safe schools
ISTA’s legal assistance program assists members with employment-related situations. Staff is available locally to answer members’ questions and address their concerns. A member needing legal assistance should first call his/her UniServ Director. Members also may call ISTA Headquarters in Indianapolis at 317-263-3400 or 800-382-4037.
UniServ is a delivery system, providing staff assistance directly to members in local affiliates in the implementation of programs and representation of members. UniServ (acronym formed from Unified Service) represents an immediate and tangible benefit, which accrues to the members of Indiana. The ISTA UniServ program provides professional staff so members can be provided quality Association services. In addition, communication channels through the UniServ Program to other professional staff employed by ISTA, enhance the availability of services to all members.
Click here for map of all UniServ offices.
No. Unified membership requires members to join their local, state and national affiliates.
No. No dues dollars are spent on political campaigns. Only voluntary contributions designated for IPACE (Indiana Political Action Committee for Education) or NEA’s Fund for Children and Public Education are contributed to candidates who support public schools and the protection of children.
ISTA members are Democrats, Republicans and Independents. Regardless of their political affiliation, ISTA members are involved in the political process because they care about educating and protecting children and strengthening American public education.
The issues that unite us are protecting children, improving public schools and strengthening the teaching profession. These issues drive our involvement in the political process. They are the ruler by which we measure all political hopefuls and lobby our elected leaders. Because all education decisions – from the statehouse to the White House are political decisions, we need to ensure that our elected leaders measure up on important issues involving children and public education. ISTA members are involved in the political process for many reasons:
· To speak out in support of quality public schools and the rights of teaching professionals.
· To make the case that society must make a greater financial commitment to public education.
· To use the professional knowledge and skills educators possess to teach people of all ages.
ISTA members may use Change of Address Form to correct their mailing information and remove duplicate mailings. They may also contact their UniServ Office, or the ISTA Membership Records office directly by email ( sseibring@ista-in.org ), by phone 317-263-3400 or 800-382-4037, ext. 367.