Garrett County Education Association (GCEA)
Welcome to the Garrett County Education Association (GCEA)! We are a professional organization dedicated to supporting educators and support staff in the public schools of Garrett County, Maryland. As a local affiliate of the National Education Association and the Maryland State Education Association, we work to promote the welfare of school children and advance the cause of public education.
Our mission is to advocate for better working conditions, fair compensation, and high-quality education for all students in the county. We provide professional development opportunities, resources, and support to our members, and we are committed to working collaboratively with our community partners to achieve our shared goals.
We are proud to represent the interests of educators and support staff in Garrett County, and we invite you to join us in our efforts to ensure that every student has access to a great public education. Thank you for your interest in GCEA, and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more.
GCPS Facts
Small but mighty
Dave Chapelle famously said, “In America, we get our power from each other.” This sentiment applies to all professions, and the power of collective bargaining has been well-documented throughout history. From the coal mines of West Virginia to the halls of power in America, labor unions have united to ensure their members receive fair treatment, a decent wage, and reasonable working conditions. While GCEA’s core mission may be diverse, at its heart, GCEA strives for the same outcomes that labor unions have fought for throughout American history.
By joining GCEA, you can lend your resources, voice, and support to a coalition of colleagues dedicated to ensuring the best for each other and our students. While Garrett County public schools are known for producing excellent outcomes (including one of Maryland’s highest graduation rates), county teachers are notoriously underpaid. GCPS teachers have the second lowest salary scale in the state of Maryland and the lowest starting salaries. On average, Garrett County teachers earn around $50,789 yearly, while the average Maryland teacher earns $72,000 yearly. Despite being required to meet the same high level of instruction as all other Maryland teachers and being highly educated themselves, Garrett County teachers make an average of $20,000 less than their counterparts in other areas of Maryland.
As the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future becomes the operating reality for teachers on the ground, it’s more important than ever that Garrett County educators unite to ensure a better future for themselves and their students.
