Utah Education Association program sparks criticism, union response reaffirms commitment to equity & student success

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A program from the Utah Education Association intended to train teachers to help make changes in the education system has sparked criticism from two Republican lawmakers, who called it “political indoctrination.”

The Utah Education Association (UEA) made a post on social media recruiting for their Equity Ambassadors Program, writing that it “empowers educators to lead systemic change in Utah schools by dismantling structural racism, influencing policy, and closing opportunity gaps through professional development, mentorship, and practical tools.”

Utah House of Representatives Speaker Mike Schultz made a social media post of his own in response, writing, “Our children deserve classrooms devoted to learning–math, science, reading, writing, history, etc.–not political indoctrination.”

Schultz also wrote that “schools are for education, not agendas,” and encouraged anyone who felt the same to reach out to local school boards to ask why the UEA would try to advance racial and social justice work in public schools.

On social media, Rep. Trevor Lee added on to Schultz’ post and wrote, “The teachers union has been very destructive to our state. With an important ballot initiative coming up, it’s important for parents and even teachers to know there is a right and wrong side.”

Lee is referring to a referendum on a controversial ban on public labor union collective bargaining that is set to appear on ballots in the 2026 general election. If not overturned, that ban would affect public teachers’ unions.

In response to this attention, the UEA released a statement clarifying the intention behind the program. They wrote that it “offers professional educators the opportunity to strengthen their skills to meet the diverse needs of Utah’s children” and that their equity ambassadors work to make sure that every student has access to a learning environment where they can thrive.

We believe in the professionalism of Utah’s public educators. Through the Equity Ambassador Program, we prepare them to bring their expertise into conversations with policymakers and community leaders, ensuring that solutions to today’s challenges are both relevant and responsive to the realities in Utah’s classrooms.”
Utah Education Association

You can read the full UEA statement below.

The UEA is the largest teachers’ union in the state of Utah, with over 18,000 members. “Our vision is a safe, equitable public school for every child,” their website reads.