In recent decades the NEA has increased its visibility in party politics, endorsing more Democratic Party candidates and contributing funds and other assistance to political campaigns. The NEA asserts itself as "non-partisan", but critics point out that the NEA has endorsed and provided support for every Democratic presidential nominee from Jimmy Carter to Barack Obama and has never endorsed any Republican or third party candidate for the presidency.^[80]

Based on required filings with the federal government, it is estimated that between 1990 and 2002, eighty percent of the NEA's substantial political contributions went to Democratic Party candidates and ninety five percent of contributions went to Democrats in 2012.^[81] the NEA maintains that it bases support for candidates primarily on the organization's interpretation of candidates' support for public education and educators. Every presidential candidate endorsed by the NEA must be recommended by the NEA's PAC Council (composed of representatives from every state and caucus) and approved by the Board of Directors by a 58 percent majority.^[82] In October 2015, the NEA endorsed Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential bid. Clinton accepted the endorsement in person.^[83][84]

The NEA is a member of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition.^[85]

• C. Louise Boehringer, in 1913 she spoke at their convention in San Francisco^[37]
• Della Prell Darknell Campbell^[37]
• William George Carr, Executive Director of the NEA from 1952 to 1967^[38]
• Sabra R. Greenhalgh, life member of the NEA, elected a delegate to represent northern California at the annual convention in Columbus, Ohio, in 1931^[37]
• Kate Wetzel Jameson, member^[37]
• Vesta C. Muehleisen, member^[37]
• Caroline Haven Ober, member^[37]
• Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States ^[39]
• Mary Yost, vice-president of the Western Division of Department of Deans of Women^[40]