Don Schulte: A Legacy of Democracy, Public Schools, and Union Service

On Sunday, March 22, 2026, longtime Missouri NEA leader and former NEA Board member Don Schulte passed away. Don lived by a simple creed, captured in the email address he chose for himself: "NEA4me." To Don, our union was never just an organization; it was democracy in action and the way educators in Missouri turn our voices into power.

As a History, Speech, and Debate teacher in Pattonville, he knew our strength comes from educators standing together, building relationships, and speaking up again and again. He followed what was happening in Jefferson City and Washington, D.C., but he never lost sight of the educators standing in front of students every day in Missouri.

Serving on the NEA Board of Directors with fellow Missouri leader Julia Todd from 2004 to 2008, he made sure Missouri educators and students were never an afterthought in national debates. His heart, though, stayed close to home as he served several terms as president of Pattonville NEA, guiding a growing local with a steady, experienced hand.

Don was the keeper of our order, serving as parliamentarian at both the local and state levels. His expertise showed up across our union, from bargaining and membership work to legal, dues, and resolutions committees, and he served as a delegate to MNEA and NEA Representative Assemblies for decades.

Don's influence was especially strong in political action, where our union turns values into votes and policy. A fixture at the PAC Council and a PAC Sponsor for decades, he was recognized year after year for showing up, giving what he could, and asking others to join him. His peers honored this dedication with the Lorna Bottger Award for Individual Excellence in Political Action in 2004 and the Shirley Cromer Leadership Award in 2009.

Even after retiring in 2016, Don refused to step back, staying active in MNEA-R and serving as an MNEA-R Metro officer, proving that retirement is another way to lead. Beyond titles and committees, his truest legacy is the generation of leaders he raised up. He mentored so many in PNEA and MNEA, sharing a generous spirit, sharp good humor, and the perspective that only years of service can bring. He taught us that to lead is to serve, and to serve is to protect our profession, our students, and our public schools.

Most importantly, Don was a devoted father to his son, Colin. While we mourn this loss to our union family, we are deeply grateful to have sat with Don at the RA, walked with him at the Capitol, and served alongside him. Missouri NEA will remember the democracy, the public schools, and the union he worked so hard to sustain, and we will carry that work forward.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April 4, 2026, from 1-4 p.m. at the Professional Firefighters of Eastern Missouri Hall, 115 McMenamy Rd, St. Peters, MO 63376. To celebrate Don's life, guests are invited to wear purple, his favorite color.

We invite you to read Don's obituary at https://stlouiscremation.com/obituaries/donald-don-e-schulte/.