1861: Minnesota Education Association is founded.

1861:  The Minnesota Education Association (MEA) is founded in Rochester as a professional organization for teachers and administrators.  Their focus is providing a quality education for every child.

Education Minnesota was formed in 1998 when the Minnesota Education Association and the Minnesota Federation of Teachers merged. MEA, originally called the Minnesota State Teachers Association, started in 1861. MFT began as the Grade Teachers Organization in 1898.