MSEA Convention 2017: This Is Our Moment

With 30+ workshops attended by 1,500 educators, a record-breaking PAC drive, and nearly 700 delegates gathered in the assembly hall, MSEA’s annual convention in Ocean City was the one of the biggest and most successful in 20 years.

Marking her final year at the podium, President Betty Weller led delegates through the debate of more than 20 new business items. Measures were passed on issues including equal justice, student trauma, special education, dyslexia education, and more. Delegates also heard from ESP of the Year Mary Stein and eight gubernatorial candidates, participated in a Q & A with Kirwan Commission chair Brit Kirwan, and elected Frederick County teacher Justin Heid to the MSEA Board of Directors.

Also passed was an amendment to MSEA’s bylaws that allows the board of directors to establish caucuses at the request of members. Now, MSEA members can organize at the grassroots level around issues that are important to their job and, through their caucus, lobby the MSEA Board of Directors more effectively for action internally, at the state board, or in the General Assembly.