Iowa Teachers Unions

Public school teachers in Iowa are represented by unions like the Iowa State Education Association and local affiliates such as the Des Moines Education Association. Both organizations offer collective bargaining, legal support, and professional resources. Teachers may also choose alternatives like Professional Educators of Iowa, which provide similar benefits without union affiliation or political activity.

Iowa State Education Association (ISEA)

Leadership

• President: Joshua Brown
• Vice President: Kelly McMahon
• Treasurer: Maggie Rietz

Organization
ISEA is the largest teachers union in Iowa and the state affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA). The organization claims to represent over 34,000 Iowa educators including K-12 teachers, education support professionals, community college faculty, retired teachers, and student teachers across the state.

Member Dues
Annual membership dues for ISEA average around $700–$800 per year including local, state, and national NEA portions. Dues amounts can vary slightly by local association and increase periodically. Dues fund member benefits and support the union’s state and national advocacy.

Meetings
The ISEA holds a statewide Delegate Assembly once per year where delegates set policy and elect leadership. The union’s board meets regularly throughout the year to conduct business between assemblies.

At the local level, each school district’s education association that is affiliated with ISEA typically meets on a monthly basis often through a representative council or all-member meetings.

ISEA also organizes conferences, training, and an annual summer leadership conference for members’ professional development.

Requirements
ISEA membership is open to any Iowa public school educator or school employee, including teachers, licensed professionals, and education support staff. Members must work in a school district or college where there is an ISEA-affiliated local. Because Iowa is a right-to-work state, joining is voluntary and membership is not required to be covered by a union-negotiated contract.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• ISEA serves as the collective bargaining agent for educators in most Iowa public schools, negotiating salaries, benefits, and working conditions.
• Membership includes professional liability insurance and access to legal assistance for workplace issues.
• The union offers professional development and training opportunities for educators.

Cons

• Full membership in ISEA is relatively expensive. This can be a significant expense, especially for new teachers.
• Iowa law restricts what the teachers’ union can negotiate, limiting the union’s ability to fight for many working conditions improvements.
• A portion of dues support the NEA and its political advocacy. Members who prefer to avoid supporting any political causes may see this as a drawback.

Des Moines Education Association (DMEA)

Leadership

• President: Anne Cross
• Vice President: Emma Bade
• Treasurer: Samy El-Baroudi
• Secretary: Courtney Starbuck

Organization
The Des Moines Education Association is the local union for Des Moines Public Schools employees. With over 3,500 members, it is the largest local teachers’ union in Iowa. DMEA represents teachers, educational support professionals, nurses, and other school staff in the Des Moines district. It is affiliated with the ISEA and NEA, meaning members are also part of the state and national union.

Member Dues
DMEA members pay the unified NEA/ISEA/local dues. The annual dues in Des Moines are roughly $750 annually, but can vary slightly from year to year.

Meetings
The DMEA’s governing Representative Assembly meets monthly during the school year, typically consisting of building representatives from each school who discuss issues and make decisions.

The Executive Board also meets frequently to carry out the union’s business and plan activities. Additionally, DMEA holds general membership meetings as needed to discuss contract proposals or hold elections.

Requirements
Membership in DMEA is open to any employee of Des Moines Public Schools, including teachers and counselors as well as non-teaching support staff like paraeducators, clerical staff, and nurses.

To join, an individual must sign up and pay dues to gain full voting rights and access to union benefits. Non-members in the district are still covered by the union-negotiated contract but do not receive the same level of support or benefits from DMEA.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• DMEA has a long history and established relationships, which can help in advocating for better salaries and working conditions.
• Members benefit from formally negotiated salary schedules, supplemental pay for extra duties, and health insurance contributions.
• The union offers support to its members to assist with issues like contract violations, disciplinary meetings, or evaluation concerns.

Cons

• New teachers, or those on a lower salary, may feel the cost of dues is a strain on their budget.
• The union represents a broad range of job roles, so some members might feel their individual situation or opinions are not fully addressed.
• State law limits what the union can negotiate and how it operates, limiting the organization’s effectiveness in addressing some workplace issues.

Professional Educators of Iowa

Leadership

• President: Jennifer Campbell
• Vice President: Darrin Carson
• Secretary: Kevin Rohne
• Treasurer: Erin Cook

Organization
Professional Educators of Iowa (PEI) is an independent, non-union association that offers liability insurance, legal support, professional development, and educator discounts. PEI does not negotiate contracts but serves as an alternative for teachers seeking support without collective bargaining or political involvement.

Member Dues
Full professional membership costs $288 per year, or around $24 per month. Dues primarily fund a $2 million liability insurance policy for each member and access to legal services, as well as the operating costs of the association.

Meetings
PEI hosts an annual conference with professional development, licensure courses, and organizational updates. Members receive ongoing communication through newsletters, and the board meets periodically. Support is provided directly, with members contacting PEI staff or legal counsel as needed.

Requirements
Membership is open to all Iowa school employees, not just teachers. This means any Iowa educator, including administrators, coaches, aides, and bus drivers, can choose to join PEI. The only requirement is agreeing to the association’s code of ethics and paying membership dues.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• PEI provides many of the benefits that unions offer at a fraction of the cost.
• Members receive a $2M liability insurance policy and guaranteed direct legal assistance for employment issues.
• The association organizes an annual professional development conference and offers state-approved courses for educators to renew their teaching licenses.
• Because PEI is not a union, it does not call strikes or work stoppages and does not involve members in partisan political campaigns.

Cons

• PEI is not a bargaining agent, so it cannot negotiate your salary, benefits, or working conditions with your employer.
• School administrators and boards may not give the same weight to PEI’s advocacy since it doesn’t represent employees in a formal capacity.
• In districts with an active union, non-union educators (including PEI members) still depend on that union to set fair wages and working conditions.

Exercise Your Rights

Union membership is a choice. If you decide union membership is not right for you, opting out is easy.