MSEA's Executive Director David Helfman
Our vision for your security, January 2013
No
matter where you are in your career—green, gray, or somewhere in between—MSEA
is fighting for your interests at the bargaining table and in Annapolis. Continue reading.
MSEA's President Betty Weller
Your vote, your voice, January 2013
We’ve
made a big change this year—we’ve moved voting online and are featuring bios
only for MSEA’s officer candidates in this issue. The entire slate of candidate
profiles, including both officers and delegates, will be available on our MSEA
Election site. Continue reading.
MSEA's Executive Director David Helfman
Building bridges, building strength, November 2012
At NCSEA and here in Maryland, we’re determined to improve these state-to-state partnerships and pass those benefits on to members. As an association, our strength comes not only from our numbers but from the outstanding skills and expertise that we can call our own—and can share with one another. Continue reading.
MSEA's President Betty Weller
We’re taking action on proposed new discipline regulations, November 2012
With the proposed changes to teacher and principal evaluation systems, curriculum, and assessments, we must focus on good communication to ensure that the reforms help students. Continue reading.
MSEA's Executive Director David Helfman
We can exercise our humanity in the voting booth, September 2012
The social justice component of our mission calls for us to raise our voice when efforts are made to dismantle laws promoting college education for immigrant children, extending marriage rights to same sex couples, or depriving low-income, predominantly minority citizens the right to vote. Continue reading.
MSEA's President Betty Weller
With your support and activism we can build an ever-stronger association, September 2012
I’m excited to begin leading MSEA as your president. I’m honored to stand on the shoulders of the outstanding educators who served as president before me. Vice President Cheryl Bost, Treasurer Bill Fisher, and your MSEA Board of Directors are passionate leaders and tireless advocates for our schools. Continue reading.
MSEA's Executive Director David Helfman
Will the 8,000 delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly ever endorse a Republican presidential nominee?, June 2012
I started working for the association shortly before the 1980 election. It didn’t happen then nor has it happened in the following eight election cycles. Continue reading.
MSEA's President Clara Floyd
Colleagues, thank you, June 2012
Thank you for giving me the deep honor of leading this association as your president for the last six years. From visiting schools across the state to representing you before the General Assembly, it’s been a humbling, energizing, and wonderful experience serving as your president. Continue reading.
MSEA's Executive Director David Helfman
MSEA takes on its next two-year budget, March/April 2012
In today’s economy, whether we’re talking about the state budget, a county or school budget, or a family budget, making ends meet can be a challenge. Continue reading.
MSEA's Executive Director David Helfman
What took me so long?, November 2011
I’ve told members about NEA Member Benefits programs before. But somehow, with decades of good credit and driving records, I figured that I was getting the best deal I could with State Farm. I was so wrong! Continue reading.
MSEA's President Clara Floyd
Finding a new state superintendent is very serious business, November 2011
Few people make as great an impact on a child’s life as an educator. And few people make as great an impact on educators’ lives as the state superintendent. Continue reading.
MSEA's Executive Director David Helfman
MSEA’s important past makes a bright future possible for today’s educators, September 2011
We'e negotiated hundreds of teacher and support staff wage packages, written and delivered speeches and testimony, and met with community groups, reporters, and lawmakers. We’ve lobbied for better school funding, sound education policies, and a stronger voice for our members. And we’ve worked to elect public school supporters.
Together, we’ve made great strides. But our past victories cannot guarantee our future success. Continue reading.
MSEA's President Clara Floyd
MSEA—Focusing on you, September 2011
Summer is a time to focus on you—spending time with your family, taking the coursework you’ve been itching to complete, and crossing off whatever has been atop your to-do list for months. MSEA also spent the summer focused on you. Continue reading.
MSEA's Executive Director David Helfman
The General Assembly's two-step: Devalue pensions, then shift costs to the counties, June 2011
Make no mistake: the pension cuts enacted by the General Assembly were severe. Current educators must absorb an immediate two percent cut in their paychecks when the contribution rate jumps to 7 percent on July 1. Continue reading.
After the rally … what’s next? March 2011
I was stunned when Governor O’Malley unexpectedly took the stage at our Keep the Promise Rally.
The following evening we presented the governor with a comprehensive proposal, which would generate similar savings and enhance the security of our retirement system without violating the principles shaping our priorities.
Continue reading.
The Pension Commission considers new options, and it's not good news, December 2010
On December 13, the Commission met again. Once more I was offended--not by the process--but by the nature of the proposals.
The Department of Legislative Services released a Decision Guide handout which laid out four basic options for current employees. Continue reading.
Pension Media Briefing Rundown, December 2010
On December 9, MSEA briefed reporters about the importance of pensions to Maryland educators.
We discussed the move in the 1980’s when the Retirement system closed and future hires were placed in the Pension system. Continue reading.
MSEA's President Clara Floyd
21st century education needs 21st century support,
November 2010
It’s obvious—we need to prepare students for a global economy, one where technology plays an ever-increasing role.
To do that we need resources and a skilled teaching workforce, and that requires a solid funding commitment from federal, state, and local governments.
Continue reading.
MSEA's Executive Director David Helfman
The General Assembly must keep its promise and fully fund educators' pensions, November 2010
Five years ago, our members worked hard to improve our pension benefits. At the time, our benefits were the worst in the nation.
We successfully lobbied for an increase in the service multiplier used in the benefit formula. Continue reading.
MSEA’s President Clara Floyd
MSEA approaches a pivotal year focused on leadership and action, September 2010
Throughout MSEA’s 143-year history, passionate leadership has resulted in better public schools for students and improved working conditions, higher salaries, and better benefits for educators. Continue reading.
MSEA’s Executive Director David Helfman
Martin O'Malley: A champion for public schools, September 2010
Our successful 20-year campaign for an independent labor board was based on grasstops organizing: local association presidents, local UniServ staff, and MSEA lobbyists reached out to legislators and explained the problems caused by the antiquated system. Continue reading.
MSEA’s President Clara Floyd
Let's commit to making every child number one, September 2010
I never get tired of talking about how proud I am of the students, educators, community members, and policymakers who have worked together to make Maryland’s public schools #1.
Continue reading and hear our back to school radio ad.
MSEA’s Executive Director David Helfman
Accountability? Fair and collaboratively developed, June 2010
Have you ever met a school bus driver who wants his or her bus serviced by an incompetent mechanic?
That’s as likely as finding a teacher who wants children taught by an incompetent teacher the year prior to entering his or her classroom. Continue reading.
MSEA’s President Clara Floyd
Your Voice, MSEA's Success, June 2010
Last month local leaders, delegates, and our MSEA Board of Directors gathered at our Spring Representative Assembly to consider the association’s financial priorities over the next two years and the important 2010 elections.
Continue reading.
MSEA’s Executive Director David Helfman
MSEA criticizes MSDE teacher evaluation proposal, May 2010
This month, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) proposed new regulations requiring all school systems to make student growth at least 50 percent of both teacher and principal evaluations. Continue reading.
MSEA’s President Clara Floyd
No Great Public Schools without Great Teachers, May 2010
For the past two years, Maryland has celebrated the high achievement of our students. Without question, that success is due to the collaborative effort of educators, parents, politicians, community activists, and other stakeholders, as well as the hard work and inquisitive minds of our children themselves. Our back to back designation as number one in public education by Education Week is justifiably a point of pride for all Marylanders. Continue reading.
MSEA’s Executive Director David Helfman
Making tough times in education even tougher, April 2010
At the state level, it’s been a brutal legislative session in Annapolis. Twenty-four days before the session ended, the General Assembly hadn't yet passed the Fairness in Negotiations Act. Continue reading.