The Antigua Teachers Association (A.T.A.) was founded in 1926. Associated with the historic occasion were two highly respected teachers, Mr. Thomas Noel Kirnon and Mary Elizabeth Pigott. They were Head Teachers of St. John's Boys School and the St. John's Girls School respectively.

For many years after its inception, the Antigua Teachers' Association remained an "elitist" organization. Only teachers of particular social status were accepted into its fold. The body emphasized professionalism and functioned mainly as a training organization for its members as revealed by its weekly Saturday Conferences. The Association commanded a high level of respect from the colonial authorities and its image was well accepted by the society. With maturity, the Association expanded its portfolio to cater to the economic and social needs of its membership.

The early nineteen fifties marked the advent of major change in the Association's structure and procedure as the leadership sought to improve the effectiveness of the Association. Furthermore, teachers of diverse social status began to express interest in becoming members of the body, the leaders of the association responded by opening membership to all.

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