Published: November 13, 2026
A Tradition of Service and Activism
To mark our 70th anniversary, we look back at key moments in the history of FEA.
1956
FEA’s origins
Overseas educators organized against proposed furloughs and founded the Overseas Teachers Association (OTA).
1956
First constitution
The first OTA General Assembly met in Munich and adopted the Association’s first constitution.
1956–57
President: Mary Hoague
Mary Hoague served as the first President of the Overseas Teachers Association (OTA), the organization that would later become the Federal Education Association (FEA).
1957
Legislative agenda
OTA adopted 14 legislative priorities covering salaries, benefits, school administration, staffing, and working conditions.
1957–59
President: Kent Rossier
Kent Rossier served as the second President of the Overseas Teachers Association (OTA), before the organization became known as FEA.
1959
Landmark overseas salary law
With NEA, OTA helped secure P.L. 86-91, establishing a framework for pay comparable to major U.S. school districts.
1959–60
President: Bill Derrick
Bill Derrick served as the third President of the Overseas Teachers Association (OTA), before the organization became known as FEA.
1959
First OTA Journal
The Association launched its journal to connect educators across overseas schools.
1960
OTA becomes OEA
The Overseas Education Association (OEA) name reflected growth beyond Europe, including affiliations in the Far East and Okinawa.
1960–61
President: John Westbay
John Westbay served as the fourth President of the Overseas Education Association (OEA), the organization that would later become FEA.
1961
NEA quasi-state status
OEA gained quasi-state status within NEA.
1961–64
President: Cecil Driver
Cecil Driver served as the fifth President of the Overseas Education Association (OEA), before the organization became known as FEA.
1964
Permanent administrative office
OEA established an office in Wiesbaden and created a part-time executive secretary position.
1964–66
President: Joseph Crawford
Joseph Crawford served as the sixth President of the Overseas Education Association (OEA), before the organization became known as FEA.
1966
Salary law strengthened
P.L. 89-391 strengthened requirements to use current U.S. district salary data.
1966
Exclusive recognition in Europe
OEA secured exclusive recognition for educators in the European region.
1966–69
President: James Norman
James Norman served as the seventh President of the Overseas Education Association (OEA), before the organization became known as FEA.
1968
Full NEA statehood
OEA achieved full statehood status within NEA.
1969–70
President: Dan Seiden
Dan Seiden served as the eighth President of the Overseas Education Association (OEA), before the organization became known as FEA.
1970–71
President: Cecil Driver
Cecil Driver returned to serve as the ninth President of the Overseas Education Association (OEA), marking his second term as president.
1970–71
Pacific representation expands
OEA secured Pacific exclusive recognition and established a Pacific vice presidency.
1971–74
President: Chris Mitchell
Chris Mitchell served as the 10th President of the Overseas Education Association (OEA), before the organization became known as FEA.
1973
Binding arbitration and D.C. headquarters
Binding arbitration entered the European agreement, and OEA moved its headquarters to the NEA Center in Washington, D.C.
1974
March Case salary victory
A federal appeals court decision required current-year salary comparisons and retroactive adjustments.
1974–77
President: Lynn Holland
Lynn Holland served as the 11th President of the Overseas Education Association (OEA), before the organization became known as FEA.
1975–76
Modern board governance
A new constitution replaced the General Assembly and Executive Committee structure with a Board of Directors.
1976–77
Worldwide representation and contract
OEA secured worldwide exclusive recognition in 1976 and negotiated its first worldwide overseas contract in 1977.
1977–80
President: Hal Mosher
Hal Mosher served as the 12th President of the Overseas Education Association (OEA), before the organization became known as FEA.
1978
DoD schools unified
The Defense Dependents Education Act helped consolidate regional DoD school systems.
1980–1995
President: Jack Rollins
Jack Rollins served as the 13th President of the Overseas Education Association (OEA), before the organization became known as FEA.
1980s
Pay, leave, housing, and transfer protections
OEA challenged pay freezes, defended housing allowances, secured leave and salary-step improvements, and helped restore educator transfers.
1987–90
Stateside bargaining rights advance
Section 6 educators gained federal-employee protections. West Point and Fort Stewart litigation strengthened bargaining rights involving pay and benefits.
1989
Major OEA-DODDS agreement
A comprehensive agreement consolidated employment, grievance, leave, transfer, housing, and other protections.
1991
Stateside Section 6 gains board representation
Section 6 became an official OEA region, expanding representation of Stateside educators.
1992–96
ESP organizing and bargaining expand
Education support professionals organized in Stateside schools; consolidated bargaining units for certified and classified staff were established in 1996.
1995–2001
President: Jan Mohr
Jan Mohr served as the 14th President of the Federal Education Association (FEA).
1995
OEA becomes FEA
The Association adopted the Federal Education Association name to reflect its overseas and Stateside membership.
1997
FEAONLINE launches
FEA launched its website to communicate with members around the world.
1999
First Stateside certified master agreement
FEA completed its first Master Labor Agreement for Stateside certified employees.
2001–07
President: Sheridan Pearce
Sheridan Pearce served as the 15th President of the Federal Education Association (FEA).
2007–13
President: Michael Priser
Michael Priser served as the 16th President of the Federal Education Association (FEA).
2010
Stateside classified master agreement
Historical materials identify March 25, 2010 as the signing date, although the underlying chronology flags a date discrepancy for review.
2013–19
President: Chuck McCarter
Chuck McCarter served as the 17th President of the Federal Education Association (FEA).
2014
Pay-freeze court victory
FEA challenged an improperly extended DoDEA pay freeze, resulting in retroactive pay adjustments.
2018
Guam ESP representation expands
Guam education support professionals joined the FEA Stateside classified bargaining unit.
2019–25
President: Brian Chance
Brian Chance served as the 18th President of the Federal Education Association (FEA).
2021
ESP seat added to FEA Board
Members amended the constitution to create an Education Support Professional Coordinator position on the Board.
2025–present
President: Sharon Manuel
Sharon Manuel is the 19th and current President of the Federal Education Association (FEA), having begun her term in 2025. President Manuel is FEA’s first Black president.
2025
Member-led organizing focus
FEA began shifting toward a member-led organizing model, empowering educators and ESPs to organize around shared priorities.
2026
70 years of advocacy
FEA marked its 70th anniversary.
Editorial note: This is a selective timeline, not a complete list of FEA achievements. Dates and details follow the supplied master history; the 2010 classified agreement date remains flagged for verification.
