MSEA Announces New Executive Director

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Sean Johnson, MSEA’s legislative and political director, will become executive director on September 1

Following a months-long national search, today the Maryland State Education Association (MSEA) announced that current MSEA legislative and political director Sean Johnson will become the union’s new executive director on September 1. MSEA represents 75,000 educators across Maryland and is the state’s largest union.

“Sean’s commitment, passion, and record of success leading our legislative and political program is outstanding,” said Baltimore County elementary school teacher and MSEA President Cheryl Bost. “He will hit the ground running, build on the strength of our union, and help to lead our work and advocacy on behalf of Maryland’s educators and our 75,000 members across the state.”

“I’m incredibly excited to take on this new role and help lead the fight for the resources, seat at the table, and voice that all of Maryland’s educators need and deserve,” said Johnson. “A strong and purposeful union is more important than ever during these challenging times of concerns around safety, school funding, and fundamentally addressing the racial and social justice issues that impact our students, members, and communities. Together, educators can and will do our very best to address these issues and deliver what we know our students and schools need to be successful.”

Johnson will succeed David Helfman, who has served as MSEA’s executive director for 16 years. MSEA has seen continued membership growth and organizing victories during Helfman’s tenure.