Are there any Unions or professional affiliations you have to join to become a High School English teacher?

Question

I really must know!

Answer 1

You don't HAVE to join any, but it's a really good idea because most of them provide liability insurance, which saves your butt if you get sued or unjustly fired.

I recommend the NEA (National Education Association).  Their lawyers will fight for you until the bitter end if you're in a bad situation, and they offer up to 1,000,000 of liability insurance in case you get sued.

Answer 2

It depends upon where you teach.  Some districts are "closed shops" where the union dues are deducted no matter if you are a member or not.  The two dominant unions are the AFT and the NEA, both of which are independent of each other and represents teachers from different parts of the country.  Having been a teacher for 32 years and having adopted Woody Allen's philosophy, "I wouldn't want to join any organization that would have me as a member,” I can attest to both the benefits and the shortcomings of unions.  During negotiations and labor disputes, a teacher's union is essential to provide security; during curriculum decisions, they are a disaster and, at least, a cumbersome layer of bureaucracy that impinges on positive change.