Maria Neira

Maria Neira, an elementary school bilingual teacher who rose through the ranks of union leadership to become a nationally recognized expert on educational issues, was a vice president of New York State United Teachers, representing more than 600,000 members.

Ms. Neira oversaw the statewide union’s initiatives involving educational policy matters. She was NYSUT’s front-line advocate to the Board of Regents and State Education Department.

She also served as a vice president on the New York State AFL-CIO Executive Council, the Board of Directors of the AFL-CIO’s Workforce Development Institute, and the Coalition for Labor Union Women. She was nominated by President Obama to the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. She was also nominated to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Advisory Council. She is a member of the New York State Workforce Investment Board, the Greater Capital Region United Way Board of Directors, Capital District’s 100 Hispanic Women, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, and the National Association of Latino Elected Officials Education Fund. She directs NYSUT’s fund-raising as a statewide flagship sponsor for American Cancer Society programs, including the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer annual walks.

Neira has been honored by many groups, including the United Federation of Teachers Hispanic Affairs Committee, the Hispanic Latino Cultural Center, Long Island Latino Teachers Association, the Schenectady Hispanic Heritage Committee, and the Girl Scouts of Northeastern NY. Neira also received the 2005, Ellis Island Medal of Honor, from the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations and an educational leadership award from the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in 2007.

Neira previously served as assistant to the president on education issues for the UFT, NYSUT’s affiliate in New York City public schools, where she helped develop strategic plans for education reform. She also served as director of the UFT’s Special Educator Support Program.

Neira began her teaching career in New York City in 1977 and served as a fourth-grade bilingual teacher at the Bilingual Bicultural Mini-school in Manhattan.

Neira, a graduate of Hunter College of the City University of New York, has served on many state committees, including the Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board and the State Committee of Practitioners. She is also a member of several professional organizations. She is married to Richard Neira.