Tia Mills: Louisiana Educator Rising to National Leadership, Shaping the Future of Public Schools
From Baton Rouge classrooms to the NEA Executive Committee, Mills brings courage, vision, and relentless advocacy for equity
PORTLAND, Ore. — Dr. Tia T. Mills is no ordinary educator. A Baton Rouge special education teacher with nearly 20 years in the classroom, Mills has become one of Louisiana’s most influential voices in public education—and now, she is taking that leadership to the national stage.
Elected to the Executive Committee of the National Education Association at its 2025 Representative Assembly, Mills joins the top decision-making body of the nation’s largest educators’ union. Her election reflects her unmatched ability to mobilize communities, fight for equity, and advocate for students and teachers alike.
Mills has spent her career breaking barriers and building bridges. As president of the Louisiana Association of Educators, she has led campaigns to secure fair funding, elevate teacher voices, and confront systemic inequities in schools. Her work has earned national recognition, including the NAACP’s Benjamin Hooks Keeper of the Flame Award, the NEA Foundation’s Horace Mann Award, and Southern University’s “40 Under 40” honor.
“Dr. Mills is a transformative leader,” said NEA President Becky Pringle. “She brings vision, courage, and a deep commitment to equity that will strengthen our work at the national level.”
Beyond her classroom and union leadership, Mills serves on the boards of the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana and the U.S. Advisory Commission on Civil Rights for Louisiana, and she actively engages with the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus Foundation. She has built a career not only on excellence in teaching but on amplifying the voices of those often unheard—students in underserved communities, educators facing systemic challenges, and families striving for opportunity.
At the Portland assembly, nearly 7,000 educators gathered to set policy and elect leaders. Mills’ presence on the Executive Committee signals a bold commitment to equity, justice, and empowerment for educators and students across the country.
“Seeing the dedication and passion of educators from every state was powerful,” Mills said. “I’m ready to bring their voices and values to this new role, and to fight for public schools that give every student the chance to succeed.”
Mills’ journey—from Baton Rouge classrooms to national leadership—embodies resilience, vision, and courage. She is not just shaping policy; she is redefining what it means to lead in education. Her voice, now amplified on a national stage, is poised to influence the future of public education for millions of students and educators alike.
