A Message from WTU President

Good Morning WTU!

I hope you enjoyed the beautiful sunny weather this past weekend! I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the WTU members who showed up to canvass and meet/greet our endorsed DC City Council candidates this past week and weekend. Last Tuesday’s candidate reception allowed members to hear directly from our endorsed candidates Trayon White, Robert White At Large, Eboni-Rose Thompson on the importance of public education. Although Janeese Lewis George could not attend due to an important appointment (she’s expecting), we appreciated the fact that she sent Shannon Talbert on her behalf! Our bargaining team met with DCPS on Thursday. To learn more about the bargaining session, please watch the WTU’s Contract Negotiations Team’s Weekly Update here.

Voting is the word for the week! Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 4^th,  is Election Day and WTU stands to win amazing supporters on the DC City Council if our endorsed candidates win. Please encourage everyone you know to show up at the polls! If you are interested in volunteering at any of the polling stations, please reach out to Mike Roland, [email protected].

Registration is now open for WTU’s Summer Institute! Please register before June 14^th to take advantage of our unbeatable early bird special – only $125 per graduate course.

As you know, June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month! The WTU invites all members to join us in decorating WTU’s parade truck, riding/marching in the parade and handing out free books to children as part of our book giveaway. And we are pleased and excited to announce that Randi Weingarten, the President of the American Federation of Teachers, will be joining us to march in the parade! Every member who volunteers will receive a WTU pride t-shirt. If you would like to join us, please contact WTU’s organizer, Mike Roland at [email protected]. We hope to see you there!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

WTU’s Informational Meeting for International Teachers

If you are an international teacher in need of getting important questions answered regarding your visa status, please attend this meeting with an immigration attorney and consultant on Wednesday, June 5^th at 4:30 PM. Click here to join.

Important Special Education Survey

If you are a Special Education teacher or related service provider, please take this important survey regarding PowerSchools here.

Join Sick Maternity/Paternity Leave Banks

To join the sick maternity/paternity leave banks, please sign up here.

Sick Leave Buy-Back Program

Applications for Sick Leave Buy-Back are now available. The deadline for submission of the application is June 7, 2024. Click here for more information and application.

Invest a week to add a lifetime of tips and tricks to your teacher toolbox! Check out the Washington Teachers' Union Summer Institute Courses! WTU’s professional development courses are all research-based, peer-to-peer and solution-driven. Network with colleagues in-person or log in online to learn from your peers on topics like testing vs. assessment, effective reading strategies for beginners, or meaningful tech tools and many more! Save your spot now! Download the Summer Institute brochure here! Visit WTU's Summer Institute registration page here.

A Message from WTU President

Good Morning WTU!

I hope you enjoyed a beautiful and meaningful Memorial Day weekend! We give thanks to the men and women who gave their lives while fighting for our country. Last Tuesday, WTU’s Contract Bargaining Team met with DCPS for another bargaining session. We were grateful that DC Councilmember Anita Bonds or a representative from her office frequently attends our bargaining team meetings. As chair of the DC City Labor Council, we particularly value her oversight and presence. Our team continues to push DCPS to reach a fair agreement as soon as possible. To learn more, please watch the WTU’s Contract Negotiations Team’s Weekly Update here.

Tonight, I’m looking forward to seeing many of you at WTU’s Evening with the Candidates from 3:30-5:30 PM at Busboys and Poets, 2004 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE. Please attend! Complimentary food and beverages will be served.

I also hope you will join us for the last two opportunities we will have to canvass for our endorsed candidates before the election:

• Councilmember Trayon White (Ward 8 endorsed candidate) - Friday, May 31st, from 5:30 PM to 7 PM. Location to be announced.
• Councilmember Robert White (At-Large endorsed candidate) - Sunday, June 2nd, starting at 2 PM at the Ward 8 McDonald’s at 2529 Good Hope Road SE. If you are available, please wear your WTU red shirt and volunteer some of your time to help them out. They need your help!

As you know, June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month! The WTU invites all members to join us in decorating WTU’s parade truck, riding/marching in the parade and handing out free books to children as part of our book giveaway. And we are pleased and excited to announce that Randi Weingarten, the President of the American Federation of Teachers, will be joining us to march in the parade! Every member who volunteers will receive a WTU pride t-shirt. If you would like to join us, please contact WTU’s organizer, Mike Roland at [email protected]. We hope to see you there!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

Weekly Update - WTU’s Contract Action Team (CAT)

Watch WTU’s Contract Bargaining Team’s Weekly Update here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVsAq4LiCU_mjtJrOcqtlw0_yWg4LxvhE or click on the photo below.

If you have ideas on what contract actions your school should take, please contact your Building Representative and WTU’s organizer, Mike Roland, for support. Together, we must show DCPS we will not tolerate their proposed reduction of our rights!

Washington Teachers’ Union Stands with Peaceful Protestors

The members of The Washington Teachers’ Union voted during the Representative Assembly Meeting on Tuesday, May 13, 2024 to support the following statement on the student and faculty protests at George Washington University and on many other campuses nationwide:

“The Washington Teachers’ Union firmly stands with peaceful student and faculty protests at George Washington University and on multiple other campuses nationwide. As educators, we believe in the power of education to promote understanding, empathy, and solidarity across borders. As a social justice union, we support peaceful protests for the Palestinian people and stand with the world in expressing horror over Hamas’ October 7th massacre and hostage taking of Israelis. Both sentiments can and should co-exist. 

“The student encampments serve as powerful reminders of the ongoing oppression faced by the Palestinian people, including the denial of basic human rights, displacement, and violence by occupation forces. Students and faculty are playing a crucial role in advancing the cause of justice and equality with their protests. The WTU reaffirms its commitment to supporting the rights of students to advocate peacefully for a more just and equitable world.

“We call on university administrators to engage constructively with student activists, listen to their concerns and work towards creating a campus environment that is inclusive and supportive of all communities.”

WTU’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month Activities

Please join us in celebrating Pride Month in June! From 4-7 PM on June 7^th, WTU will be decorating our Pride Parade truck outside the WTU’s office. On June 8^th, meet us as we line up to prepare for the parade from 12-2 PM! On June 9^th, sign up for a shift to help us as we give away one free book of choice to kids at WTU’s festival table.

A Message from WTU President

Good Morning WTU!

I hope you enjoyed a productive week, full of learning for your students!  This past week, WTU’s Contract Bargaining Team prepared for tomorrow’s negotiating session with DCPS. Many of our DC State Board and DC City council members have been supporting our goal to get a contract as soon as possible. Now, it is our time to support our endorsed candidates by volunteering to canvass for their campaigns. We know this is a busy time for all teachers as we have less than a month before the school year ends. But we are close to 6,000 strong! We hope you can find time to come out to meet the leaders we’ve endorsed at our WTU’s Evening with the Candidates on Tuesday, May 28^th from 3:30-5:30PM at Busboys and Poets, 2004 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE. Please attend! Complimentary food and beverages will be served.

Thank you to the WTU members who joined us this weekend to canvass for the re-election of Ward 4 DC City Councilmember Janeese Lewis George and the election of Eboni-Rose Thompson for Ward 7 DC City Councilmember. Two more opportunities to canvass for our endorsed candidates are coming up:

• Councilmember Trayon White  (Ward 8 endorsed candidate) Friday, May 31st, from 5:30 PM to 7 PM. Location to be announced.
• Councilmember Robert White (At-Large endorsed candidate) - Sunday, June 2nd, starting at 2 PM at the Ward 8 McDonald’s at 2529 Good Hope Road SE. If you are available, wear your WTU red shirt and volunteer some of your time to help them out. They need your help!

As you know, June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month! The WTU invites all members to join us in decorating WTU’s parade truck, riding/marching in the parade and handing out free books to children in our book giveaway. Every member who volunteers will receive a WTU pride tee-shirt. If you would like to join us, please contact WTU’s organizer, Mike Roland at [email protected]. We hope to see you there!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

Weekly Update - WTU’s Contract Action Team (CAT)

The WTU Contract Bargaining Team is busy preparing for our next bargaining session with DCPS tomorrow - May 21^st, 2024.

If you have ideas on what contract actions your school should take, please contact your Building Representative and WTU’s organizer, Mike Roland, for support. Together, we must show DCPS we will not tolerate their proposed reduction of our rights!

WTU’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month Activities

Please join us in celebrating Pride Month in June! From 4-7PM on June 7^th, WTU will be decorating our Pride Parade truck outside the WTU’s office. On June 8^th, meet us as we line up to prepare for the parade from 12-2PM! On June 9^th, sign up for a shift to help us as we give away one free book of choice to kids at WTU’s festival table.

May 16th, 2024 - The Washington Post - DCPS chancellor slams Mendelson plan to shift central office funds to schools - The proposal would threaten the district’s ability to run important programs, he said. 

"The chancellor of D.C. Public Schools has fired back against a proposal that would move $25.4 million from the central office budget into individual schools — a measure that would allow campuses to stave off cuts but that he says could threaten other programs, such as security and swim lessons for third-graders. The proposal from D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) comes as the body pores over a budget plan released by Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D), and marks the second year in a row that Mendelson has proposed shifting millions from central services to campuses. This year, however, the city’s budget is tighter and the school district cannot use federal pandemic aid — which expires in September — to fill gaps." Read the full story here.

May 13th, 2024 - The Washington Informer - "Once again, the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) and D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) have yet to finalize a new contract, due to what union members describe as delay tactics by central office leadership and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D)." Read the full story here.

A Message from WTU President

Good Morning WTU!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms, Grandmothers, Stepmoms, Aunties, Godmothers and Sister-Friends! I hope you and your families had a wonderful day and to all those who are missing Moms… may the memory of good times together fill you with far more joy and laughter than tears.

Last week marked a week of action in our efforts to get a contract. On Monday, while many of us were celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week, DCPS cancelled our planned contract bargaining session on Tuesday and instead, filed a legal complaint against the WTU for speaking with DC City Council officials. It is not against the law for WTU to speak to elected officials about union concerns. To file a lawsuit against the WTU for exercising our legal right to free speech on the first day of a nation-wide week celebrating teachers struck us as an intentional slap in the face to all DC teachers. Teachers and building representatives at Coolidge HS, Whittier ES, Eliot Hines MS, Eastern HS, Dorothy Heights ES, Roosevelt HS, and MacFarland HS protested this decision Wednesday through Friday of last week by walking out of school at 3:30PM at the end of their tour of duty to rally against the District and DCPS’ unfair negotiating practices. DC State Board of Education President Eboni-Rose Thompson, Ward 4 DC State Board of Education Representative Frazier O’Leary, Ward 1 DC State Board of Education Ben Williams, and DC City Councilmember At-Large Robert White Jr. showed up to our protest rallies to lend their support.

As we move into the last few weeks before June elections, I ask you to please consider volunteering for all the candidates we are supporting and consider donating funds to their campaigns. We need to continue to ensure that those in political office will support us just as we have supported them.

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

Weekly Update - WTU’s Contract Action Team (CAT)

The WTU Contract Bargaining Team is busy preparing for our next bargaining session with DCPS on May 21^st, 2024.

If you have ideas on what contract actions your school should take, please contact your Building Representative and WTU’s organizer, Mike Roland, for support. Together, we must show DCPS we will not tolerate their proposed reduction of our rights! To learn more, please download WTU’s two-page summary of WTU’s Contract Negotiating Team’s 10 Proposals and 3 Memorandums of Agreement

A Message from WTU President

Good Morning WTU!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Thank you to all who kicked off the start of Teacher Appreciation Week at WTU’s BBQ party with a live band who played Go-Go music, the awesome dee-jay crew, delicious food from a BBQ food truck and the Koni Hawaiian Icee truck. Ward 8 DC Councilmember Trayon White (running for re-election) attended along with Eboni-Rose Thompson (running for Ward 7 Councilmember). I want to remind all members that these two leaders have supported the WTU, consistently, in its effort to get a fair and timely contract. In fact, Ward 8 DC Councilmember Trayon White was the first councilmember to speak out against IMPACT. As you know, American University in a study found IMPACT to be racist and biased against black and brown teachers in underserved communities. Under Eboni-Rose Thompson’s leadership as the current president of the DC State Board of Education, the State Board of Education was the first to pass a resolution for an on-time contract for the WTU this school year. I ask you to please consider volunteering for all the candidates we are supporting and consider donating funds to their campaigns. We need to ensure that those in political office will support us just as we have supported them.

We’d also like to take another moment to celebrate Beth Barkley, 2024 DC Teacher of the Year. We’d also like to congratulate Missy Testerman who was named 2024 National Teacher of the Year. A big shoutout to First Lady, Jill Biden, for holding the first-ever State Dinner to celebrate teachers.

Last Wednesday, WTU teachers marched alongside hospitality professionals of Local Union 25 to show support in their fight for a new contract. On Thursday, the WTU supported early childhood educators in their Rally to Save Childcare to restore the pay equity fund. We stood together to demand the funds needed to educate our youngest children of the District.

As you can see, we are committed to making alliances with other unions and community groups with whom we share a common interest. We stand by all workers in the fight to get what they deserve. Next week will be a call to action for WTU members around the city schools because the best way to appreciate teachers is to give them a contract!

I hope you enjoy a wonderful Teacher Appreciation week filled with little and big acts of kindness and appreciation. You deserve it!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

Weekly Update - WTU’s Contract Action Team (CAT)

The WTU Contract Bargaining Team is busy preparing for our next bargaining session with DCPS on Tuesday, May 7th.

If you have ideas on what contract actions your school should take, please contact your Building Representative and WTU’s organizer, Mike Roland, for support. Together, we must show DCPS we will not tolerate their proposed reduction of our rights! To learn more, please download WTU’s two-page summary of WTU’s Contract Negotiating Team’s 10 Proposals and 3 Memorandums of Agreement

A Message from WTU President

Good Morning WTU!

I hope you took some time to enjoy the warmer temperatures as spring is finally in full bloom! Last Tuesday, WTU’s Contract Bargaining Team met with DCPS for a Contract Bargaining session. Chancellor Ferebee did come to the table, but DCPS’ narrative didn’t change. They lament about the lack of funds they have available then, threaten to take away teacher rights that have been in the contract’s existence since the 1960s. To learn more about what happened, please view the Contract Bargaining Team’s weekly update here.

This past Friday and Saturday, WTU hosted our annual Shared Vision Conference with award-winning author Sharon G. Flake as our keynote speaker. On Friday, we welcomed 180 students, teachers, and librarians from 9 middle and high schools across DC to the rooftop terrace of the Martin Luther King Jr. Library. Sharon G. Flake, author of  “The Skin I’m In,” spent time talking with students, autographing their books, and describing in her keynote address why and how she became an author. With the help of the AFT and First Book, we are thrilled to say we were able to give each student, not one, but two of Ms. Flake’s popular novels. To learn more about the event, please watch a video highlight here.

This coming Wednesday, May 1^st., I want to personally ask everyone who can to come to a May 1^st. Rally in support of our sisters and brothers in the hotel profession fighting for a contract (Local 25). If we can show a sea of red WTU tee-shirts in the crowd, we will surely see them at our future rallies. We must support each other as we continue to fight for what we deserve.

It’s hard to believe it but Teacher Appreciation Week is just around the corner! This year, the WTU will kick off Teacher Appreciation week with a Backyard Barbeque this coming Friday, May 3^rd from 4-7PM at Kimball Elementary School. All teachers are invited! Please click here to RSVP. We hope to see everyone there!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

Weekly Update - WTU’s Contract Action Team (CAT)

To learn more, please watch WTU’s Contract Bargaining Team update here: https://youtu.be/KhO7ImaUydM?si=OvBO3ymzQJqKbr0z or click on the photo below.

If you have ideas on what contract actions your school should take, please contact your Building Representative and WTU’s organizer, Mike Roland, for support. Together, we must show DCPS we will not tolerate their proposed reduction of our rights! To learn more, please download WTU’s two-page summary of WTU’s Contract Negotiating Team’s 10 Proposals and 3 Memorandums of Agreement released in October 2023.

May Day Rally and March for a Fair Contract

Share your ideas on changes to the DCPS 2026-29 Calendar!

As we encourage public engagement in developing the SY 26-29 calendars, DCPS invites you to submit your own calendar proposal!  Proposals are due no later than May 31^st, 2024.

A Message from WTU President

Good Morning WTU!

Welcome back from Spring Break! I hope you enjoyed a restful and meaningful week spent with family and friends. Last week, the WTU supported the Washington Metro Labor Council’s Evening with Labor. Congratulations to this year’s Labor Award winners! We’d like to thank all the DC City Councilmembers who attended and we are grateful for their support of labor. We’d particularly like to thank Chairman Phil Mendelson for his comments in support of the Washington Teachers’ Union in our struggle to get a new contract. If you missed his statements during the Evening with Labor event, please click here.  

Last Thursday, I testified before the State Board of Education on DCPS’ lack of transparency in budget cuts, and insistence on eliminating the Early Childhood Pay Equity Fund. Wonders never cease as I cannot believe how they would dare to put an end to a fund that helps to support the salaries and healthcare benefits of up to 4,000 daycare teachers in the District. WTU will continue to keep you in the loop regarding how we will use our voices to support fully funding the education of all children in the District!

This coming FRIDAY, Shared Vision is coming!!! If you haven’t yet registered, please sign up to participate in our in-person book discussion with award-winning author Sharon G. Flake and “The Skin I’m In,” on Friday, April 26th, and a virtual session on April 27th. Teachers can attend either or both sessions. To RSVP, please click here. If you want to attend the in-person session on Friday, April 26th with your students, please contact Mike Roland.

As mentioned before the break, WTU’s Representative Assembly voted and endorsed the following candidates for City Council:

• Trayon White for Ward 8 City Councilmember
• Eboni-Rose Thompson for Ward 7 City Councilmember
• Janeese Lewis George for Ward 4 City Councilmember
• Robert White for At-Large City Councilmember

The WTU would like to thank the Chair of C.O.P.E. Michael Donaldson and his committee for their hard work during the entire candidate selection process. We would also like to thank Secretary Laura Fuchs for her support and dedication to the C.O.P.E. Committee.  

Happy Passover and I wish everyone a week filled with learning and adventure!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

Weekly Update - WTU’s Contract Action Team (CAT)

We’d like to thank the teachers at Langley Elementary, McKinley MS, and McKinley Tech HS for rallying before the start of their tour of duty as well as after on the last day before Spring Break on Friday, April 12^th.  To watch a video of the rally, please click here or photo below. Kudos, as well, to teachers at Brown Education Campus who walked out of school at the end of their tour of duty on April 4^th to protest for a new contract! Click photo below or link to watch video! We, too, are READY for a new contract. :>

If you have ideas on what contract actions your school should take, please contact your Building Representative and WTU’s organizer, Mike Roland, for support. Together, we must show DCPS we will not tolerate their proposed reduction of our rights! To learn more, please download WTU’s two-page summary of WTU’s Contract Negotiating Team’s 10 Proposals and 3 Memorandums of Agreement released in October 2023.

Register for WTU’s Shared Visions Conference

Please do not forget to RSVP for the conference. We will welcome award-winning author Sharon E. Flake for both an in-person session with teachers/students on April 26th and a virtual session on April 27th. Teachers can attend either or both sessions. To RSVP, please click here. Please note that only teachers interested in attending the Friday, April 26th in-person session with your students should contact Mike Roland.

May Day Rally and March for a Fair Contract

A Message from WTU President

Good Morning WTU!

I hope your week was filled with remarkable achievements for you and your students! Last Monday, April 1^st , WTU’s Contract Negotiations Team met with DC Councilmember Zachary Parker to discuss our teacher contract concerns as well as our concerns regarding IMPACT, and school budget cuts. We also learned about his new truancy legislation bill. To read a draft of his truancy bill, please click here. DC Councilmember Parker expressed his concerns about our expired contract and pledged to attend future bargaining session meetings to lend support. As you can see from this short clip, in a public meeting with Mayor Bowser held after we met, he questioned the Mayor regarding our expired contract. To learn more about the Contract Negotiation Team’s meeting with DC Councilmember Parker, please watch the weekly update here.

On Thursday, April 4^th, WTU’s Vice President Regina Bell and I testified before the City Council of DC at the Budget Oversight Hearing. As always, we expressed our continuing frustration over the cavalier way DCPS addresses the School’s First in Budgeting Law. This year, as in year’s past, they failed to give teachers, parents, and community members enough time to review and address budgeting concerns and proposed cuts. This could leave schools struggling to retain the same number of teachers for school year 2024-25. The WTU believes DCPS’ budget gap occurs because they continue to pass Central Office costs onto individual schools. Moreover, the Mayor’s overall budget proposal simply does not reflect the needs of our students or teachers. To learn more, please watch my full testimony here and Vice President Bell’s testimony here.

In other, more positive news, I’d like to highlight a scholarship opportunity for your high school seniors. If you know of DC high school seniors living in Wards 5, 7, or 8 who have lost a loved one due to gun violence and who plan to attend a two or four-year college next year, please encourage them to apply for the Jeremy Black Scholarship Fund before May 10^th. Their essay application may earn them a $4,000 scholarship toward college expenses! (See details below.) Also, if you missed reading Banneker HS journalism teacher Clare Berke’s article on why exposing  students to experiential learning opportunities matter, please check it out here!

WTU’s Contract Action Team encourages all teachers to plan and/or take part in actions at your school. This will greatly support the work we do at the bargaining table. To learn more about how to participate, please reach out to your school’s building representative and WTU’s Organizer Mike Roland.

Thank you, as always, for your hard work and support! I hope you have plans for a relaxing and joyful Spring Break at the end of the week!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

Weekly Update - WTU’s Contract Action Team (CAT)

Please watch WTU’s Contract Negotiating Team update here or by clicking on the picture below.

If you have ideas on what contract actions your school should take, please contact your Building Representative and WTU’s organizer, Mike Roland, for support. Together, we must show DCPS we will not tolerate their proposed reduction of our rights! To learn more, please download WTU’s two-page summary of WTU’s Contract Negotiating Team’s 10 Proposals and 3 Memorandums of Agreement released in October 2023.

Register for WTU’s Shared Visions Conference

Please do not forget to RSVP for the conference. We will welcome award-winning author Sharon E. Flake for both an in-person session with teachers/students on April 26th and a virtual session on April 27th. Teachers can attend either or both sessions. To RSVP, please click here. Please note that only teachers interested in attending the Friday, April 26th in-person session with your students should contact Mike Roland.