"Unprecedented attacks on public education and those who serve our students call for bold, historic actions. Education West Virginia was created to amplify our power and advocacy, and to create a strong, unified voice for our state's educators. By joining together, we fight the extraordinary challenges facing public education as one. Education West Virginia was formed through the merger of the West Virginia Education Association (WVEA) and AFT-West Virginia (AFT-WV). This historic merger occurred after a vote by delegates of each organization at their respective assemblies on March 29, 2025, with an effective date of September 1, 2025. This was a thoughtful, deliberative process that has been almost three years in the making, seeking to build on the strengths of the former organizations while also building a stronger union moving forward. This merger is also the first statewide merger of AFT and NEA affiliates in a non-collective bargaining state. Education West Virginia is dedicated to advocating for education professionals, working to ensure they have the resources, support and conditions necessary for providing a high-quality education for West Virginia's students. We are combining the strengths and resources of each organization to build a new movement for education employees. Our unified voice will be a member-driven voice in our county schools, at the state Board of Education and the Capitol. Education West Virginia aims include: securing and improving educator benefits; providing top-notch representation and advocacy; shaping positive public education policy and reforms; and elevating the teaching profession to benefit students and recapture the respect our education employees deserve. Through Education West Virginia, we champion the change we need to support high-quality public schools in every community."