Maryland educators are fighting for equity, quality, and success in every classroom in Maryland.

MSEA is the 75,000-member Maryland affiliate of the National Education Association, which represents 3 million education employees across the country. MSEA is the state’s largest professional employee organization.

Members include elementary and secondary teachers, education support professionals, certificated specialists, school administrators, retired educators, higher education faculty, and students preparing to become members. MSEA supports 39 local affiliated associations throughout Maryland.

MSEA’s 75,000 members are dedicated educators united by a common goal—to provide every student with an education that will lead to a successful and meaningful life.

What We Do

Educators are committed to the success of every student. To reach that goal, they need reasonable class sizes and workloads, high quality resources and professional development, a modern and safe working environment, fair and sensible evaluation and testing policies, and improved salaries and benefits. Your union—your local, state, and national education associations—are democratic organizations of school employees that fight to achieve these common goals so you and your students can be successful.

These groups of educators—75,000 members in Maryland and 3 million across the country— lead on issues that affect public education, our professions, and our students. In Maryland, we fight for funding that provides the resources students need for success, for less testing and more learning and reigniting the joy of learning in our classrooms and schools, and class sizes that make meaningful one-on-one interaction possible. We’re committed to supporting educators at every stage in their career—from navigating the challenging first years to planning for a secure retirement. We believe that no matter where a child lives, the promise of a quality public school education is theirs. We advocate for high quality professional development that is rich, deep, and targeted to the needs of educators and the diversity of their students.

We know that what happens in the classroom is directly related to the public policies that come from federal, state, and local leaders. In our democracy, every voice matters, but history has proven that organized voices—louder and more powerful voices—are the ones lawmakers respond to. MSEA and your local association make sure your voice is heard and respected by education policymakers. MSEA members lead on education issues where decisions are made in your county, Annapolis, and Washington, D.C.

Our History

1865

Maryland State Teachers Association (MSTA) founded

1866

First MSTA annual meeting

1951

MSTA and all-Black Maryland Educational Association merge

1956

MSTA purchases liability policy for MSTA members

1967

Duty-free lunch period for teachers legislated

1968

Collective bargaining bill for teachers passes

1978

Enactment of first collective bargaining law for education support personnel (ESP)

1993

Expanded membership includes ESP

2002

MSTA helps win passage of the Bridge to Excellence in Public Schools Act

Also known as Thornton, the Bridge to Excellence in Public Schools Act increases funding levels and equity across the state.

2009

MSTA changes name to Maryland State Education Association (MSEA)

2017

MSEA wins passage of More Learning, Less Testing Act and Protect Our Schools Act

The More Learning, Less Testing Act and Protect Our Schools Acts limit the amount of, and emphasis on, mandated standardized testing.

2018

MSEA leads successful campaign for passage of Question 1

A constitutional amendment to ensure that casino revenues go to increasing school funding.

Question 1 is the most successful ballot measure in 24 years.

2021

MSEA secures new, more equitable school funding formula

Educators lead a four-year campaign to win a transformational, equitable funding formula that will improve staffing, salaries, and student programs in every neighborhood in Maryland.