Dear Colleagues,        On behalf of the teachers and administrators in the Education Association of Charles County (EACC), I welcome you to the Charles County Public Schools. We are an affiliate of the Maryland State Teachers Association (MSTA) and the National Education Association (NEA). EACC is your strongest professional voice on work-related issues that concern you.        We are working with the Board of Education on everything from planning the new teacher orientation you have received to reviewing the professional development and training opportunities available for teachers. The negotiated agreement is our primary focus. Association members can count on us to be sure that all aspects of that agreement are strictly followed and used to mediate differences of opinion with administration. We have various joint study committees with the Board to further our shared goals of raising academic standards and improving student discipline. We are currently negotiating our Extra Pay for Extra Duty positions as well as Workload issues that are on the rise. Our association also offers free professional seminars for members on a variety of educational topics which are advertised on this website as well as through your Association Rep.        Public schools and the professional educators who work in them are facing one of the most critical periods in history. It is the EACC’s role to articulate the views of educators clearly and forcefully to legislators, policy makers, and the general public. This can only be done with you, not for you. We need and want you as a member. The Maryland General Assembly will be tackling a budget deficit which will definitely affect education. Look to this website and our State affiliate at www.mstanea.org.        Please fill out and return the membership application form to join the Association. Also be sure to check the box with your contribution to the Fund for Children and Public Education (a voluntary contribution for lobbying costs to support Public School funding and other educational issues.)        Once again, let me welcome you to Charles County and to your professional Association. Feel free to call me or our EACC staff or elected leadership for assistance. Our phone number is 301-392-0150 and our fax is 301-392-0151. I look forward to meeting you and working with you to continue to improve education and the teaching profession. Have a great year! Sincerely, Bill Fisher President