Ei-iE

Reginald “Reg” Weaver, an outspoken advocate for public education and a leading African American labour leader, passed away Tuesday at age 86. The global education union movement remembers and pays tribute to a tireless champion for the right to education and the rights of education workers in the United States and around the world.

Celebrating a trailblazing legacy

Weaver was a lifelong educator and a dedicated union activist. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in special education for the physically challenged at Illinois State University in Normal, and his master's degree at Roosevelt University in Chicago. He worked as a middle school science teacher in the Harvey school system for over 30 years.

Weaver was committed to the idea that every child deserves to go to a great public school, telling the Chicago Tribune in 2002: “My vision is that we work for schools where children are able to go free of harassment, intimidation, and have an atmosphere conducive to good teaching and learning”.

Weaver served on the Executive Committee of the National Education Association (NEA) from 1989-1995, and for six years he was NEA Vice-President. He was elected President of the NEA, the largest union in the United States, at its 2002 Representative Assembly in Dallas, Texas, serving in this position until 2008.

He also served two terms as Vice-President of Education International, first elected at the 4th Education International World Congress (Porto Alegre, July 2004) and re-elected at the 5th World Congress, in Berlin, in July 2007.

"As we grieve, let us also celebrate a life lived in service to education, equity, and racial and social justice for every student. Reg’s steadfast commitment to guiding, listening, and lifting others will continue to inspire our work and our aspirations. We have an obligation to honor his memory by carrying forward his example: walk with others, lead with humility, and protect, promote, and strengthen public education," said Becky Pringle, NEA president and EI Vice-President for North America and the Caribbean.

Weaver has received many honours and awards, including the National Conference of Black Mayors President’s Award, the Ebony Magazine Influential Black Educators Award and the Illinois Education Association's Human Relations Award. He was the winner of the IEA-NEA Human Relations Award, which is now known as the Reg Weaver Human and Civil Rights Award.

Rest in power

Remembering Weaver, David Edwards, Education International General Secretary stated:

“My favorite memories travelling to international events and meetings with Reg center around the incredible humanity and sparkle he brought to the people he encountered. He knew that the “important people” would be happy to wait while he greeted the support staff, the janitorial team, the administrative staff and everyone else whose eyes looked longingly at him for recognition.

He told me once, “anyone can look at a room and see who is there, it takes a leader to look at a room and determine who is not. And, then do something with that knowledge.”

I will miss his famous, belly laugh that could grow to fill an entire room or arena.

The last time I saw him was after my speech to the 2025 NEA Representative Assembly. He was the first on the floor to come and hug me… and told me how proud he was to have been the one that hired ‘that young kid’ all those years ago.

Rest in power, Reg. Thank you for everything you have done for me, for us, for NEA and Education International.”