The Freedom Foundation often hears from teachers who, like Kelsey, have chosen to leave their union. The experience of Kelsey, an Oregon teacher and member of the Oregon Education Association for 16 years, was typical of the process.

“I opted out of the union many years ago,” she recalled. “I just had to sit through their new to the district recruiting meeting. That was very interesting and a confirmation of why I am not a union member. They had some interesting things to say about Freedom Foundation. It was frustrating, but I made it through.”

Kelsey’s experience highlights a growing trend among educators. Many are finding that union priorities no longer align with their personal values. Financial considerations also play a role, since membership dues can be a significant expense without enough perceived value in return.

The next few months are expected to be particularly exciting as many teachers and school employees choose to exercise their First Amendment and rights to opt out of union membership and dues. This period, known as the “opt-out window,” will be characterized by a surge in educators reevaluating their membership in OEA.

With the new school year approaching and union dues set to increase, it’s a prime time for many teachers to reconsider whether union membership aligns with their needs and values.

In Oregon, OEA members have until the end of September to opt out or they’ll be locked into paying union dues for another year. For many full-time educators, opting out can save more than $1,000.

The process is straightforward — just visit www.OptOutToday.com/Oregon and complete the online form.

With support the Freedom Foundation, teachers like Kelsey are finding alternatives that align better with their values and offer more autonomy over their professional decisions. This shift suggests a changing landscape for union membership in education.