The NEA Foundation mourns the passing of Reginald “Reg” Weaver, a towering figure in public education who devoted his life to ensuring that every child, in every community, has access to a great school. He died March 25, 2026, at the age of 86.
Mr. Weaver served as president of the National Education Association from 2002 to 2008, following a historic tenure as the first Black president of the Illinois Education Association, where he championed the passage of collective bargaining rights for Illinois educators. Before and beyond his union leadership, he spent 30 years as an educator in the Harvey school system, never losing sight of why the work matters: the children in front of us every day.
The NEA Foundation was fortunate to count Reg among its own. He served on the Foundation’s Board and remained a steadfast friend and supporter of our mission long after his formal service ended. His belief in the power of public education to transform lives was not abstract. It was personal, consistent, and unwavering.
“Reg was a jewel,” said Sara A. Sneed, President and CEO of The NEA Foundation. “Every conversation we had came back to his abiding love for children and his deep commitment to public education. He was also a personal mentor to me, and his guidance shaped how I think about this work. His presence, his voice, and his conviction will be profoundly missed.”
The NEA Foundation extends its deepest condolences to Reg’s family and to the broader community of educators and advocates who were fortunate to know and be shaped by him.
