Our mission: To preserve, promote, improve and strengthen public schools for both current and future generations of students.
Coordinated by NPE’s Marla Kilfoye, the Grassroots Education Network is a nationwide network of more than 200 grassroots organizations that have joined together to preserve, promote, improve, and strengthen our public schools. The Network provides its members with connections to organizations from across the country for resources, advice, and guidance.

Meet Marla

Marla Kilfoyle taught public school teacher who taught in rural, urban, and suburban communities for 30 years. A National Board Certified Teacher, Marla was the first educator to be honored as a Finkelstein Memorial Lecturer at Adelphi University because of her commitment as a public education advocate. Marla also co-authored an Amicus Brief filed in the Supreme Court for Friedrichs vs. CTA and was honored by the NYS Assembly in 2012 as a Woman of Distinction.

She served as the Executive Director of The Badass Teachers Association (BATs) from 2013-2018 and she was on the Steering Committee for the New York State Allies for Public Education from 2014-2018. Throughout her teaching career in the Oceanside, New York School District she held many elected positions in her union. Marla has worked for NPE since she retired from teaching in 2017.

State Organizations

Click on each green state to find a list of state and local grassroots members

The Network also works with NPE to provide up-to-date information on the issues surrounding the attempt to privatize public education in various states across the country. The Network issues a monthly newsletter to highlight what the organizations are doing, what they plan to do, and their contact information.