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FIRST ON FOX: The National Education Association, one of the largest teachers unions in the United States, is under scrutiny for its upcoming training session aimed at educating members about navigating gender transitions in the workplace. This session will cover topics such as appropriate use of gender pronouns and strategies for combating transphobia. However, the training materials also characterize conservative opposition to these initiatives as villainous.
The NEA, which serves over three million educators, has scheduled a training program titled “Advancing LGBTQ+ Justice” on December 2-4, 2025. Additionally, another session entitled “Advancing Racial Justice through Union Work” is set for January 13-15, 2026.
According to an official statement from the NEA, understanding the LGBTQ+ community is essential for providing support that is both inclusive and liberating.
The training aims to create a collective understanding of various identities within the LGBTQ+ umbrella. It also plans to foster a shared awareness of anti-LGBTQ+ policies and develop counter-narratives that promote inclusion and equity. Furthermore, participants will learn strategies to confront biases and microaggressions while constructing effective tactics to dismantle systemic privilege affecting LGBTQ+ educators and students.
Defending Education, an organization focused on transparency in education, acquired two informative packets—a pre-attendance package and participant handouts—pertaining to the “Advancing LGBTQ+ Justice and Transgender Advocacy” training. These documents contain what critics describe as a far-left agenda, which includes guidelines for union members contemplating gender transitions at work, sourced from the Cornell University “Transgender Guide to Transitioning & Gender Affirmation.”
This guide offers recommendations for “coming out” in the workplace and tips for transitioning. The literature also addresses the controversial topic of transgender athletes competing in sports designated for girls, presenting the NEA’s perspective on the challenge of articulating pro-trans arguments.
According to the NEA, public support for transgender student athletes exists among the general base. However, many individuals feel swayed by conservative narratives suggesting that excluding trans youth is essential for protecting fairness in women’s sports. The union’s training materials encourage the development of compelling arguments that promote the inclusion of biological males in girls’ sports.
The pre-work document includes visuals like the “Gender Unicorn,” a tool used by transgender activists to illustrate the concept of multiple gender identities beyond the traditional binary. This resource features a coloring book that allows users to depict where they identify on the gender spectrum.
Moreover, the training materials emphasize the importance of using correct gender pronouns in all interactions. Offering pronouns during introductions demonstrates allyship and promotes an environment where individuals feel respected in their gender identity.
Kendall Tietz, an investigative reporter for Defending Education, criticized the NEA for misguiding educators and students through its DeI training materials. Tietz expressed concern that the NEA showcases a focused commitment to a narrative driven by race and gender ideology rather than educational integrity.
The materials also exhibit a strong animosity toward conservative viewpoints. The NEA describes right-wing opposition as exploiting ignorance regarding transgender issues and perpetuating a message that undermines progress in various areas.
Over the past decade, state-level Republican legislatures have increasingly adopted anti-transgender rhetoric, which, according to the NEA, serves to amplify racism and consolidate power among conservatives.
The NEA advises its members to label their ideological opponents as “villains” and suggests strategies for mobilizing support among specific demographics, including Black and Asian American Pacific Islander communities, as well as the younger Gen Z population.
Utilizing a race-class-gender framework, NEA training instructs members to expose the motivations of those who oppose their values, depicting them as barriers to fulfilling the needs of families.
While critics argue that Critical Race Theory faces undue scrutiny in academic settings, NEA materials defend it, framing opponents as “racist.” The NEA insists that ignoring this narrative is unwise, as conversations about race and gender will inevitably color discussions of other topics.
Erika Sanzi, a senior communications director at Defending Education, remarked that the NEA’s training materials illustrate their inclination to vilify political opponents. According to Sanzi, the association has a legal obligation to foster an educational climate that elevates teaching standards instead of resorting to a politicized agenda.
Recent accusations against the NEA highlight its tendency to prioritize ideological pursuits over the educational needs of students. Defending Education recently circulated a “lookout” warning, cautioning parents about what they perceive as radical indoctrination mechanisms targeting both the NEA and the American Federation of Teachers.
Sanzi suggested that such developments may warrant a closer examination of the NEA’s federal charter. She argued that the organization has evolved into a platform for extreme leftist ideology, departing from its original mission to promote education and serve the interests of teachers.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the NEA for comment regarding these developments, but further responses have not been provided.
Shaping the Future of Education
The ongoing debate surrounding the NEA’s training sessions and accompanying narratives serves as a focal point for discussions about the role of teachers unions in shaping educational frameworks. As parents, educators, and policymakers grapple with the implications of these training programs, tension between educational integrity and ideological agendas continues to escalate.
