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A Message from WTU’s President
Good morning WTU Family,
Welcome back from what I hope was a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving break! If you didn’t have a chance to RSVP for our holiday party, please take a moment to RSVP here so we may plan appropriately. The party will be held on Friday, December 13 from 4:30PM-8:30PM at Hotel Zena. (Please Note: Change in Date) Remember, the password to log in to WTU’s Members-Only website is WTU4u.
Our tentative WTU/DCPS Contract Bargaining Agreement has been reviewed by the Attorney General and the City Administrator. We are waiting for final review and approval by the City Financial Officer. We are hopeful that it should be completed by mid-week. As always, we will continue to keep you in the loop regarding next steps.
Teachers are also welcome to offer live or pre-recorded testimony before the DC City Council on Academic Achievement in the District of Columbia. Please click here to register to testify (either in-person or virtually) at 1 PM on Wednesday, December 4. If you need help in preparing your testimony, please reach out to WTU’s organizer Mike Roland, [email protected] for assistance.
I wish you a peaceful week as we prepare to enjoy the upcoming holiday season. I know it is challenging but please remember to take time out for self-care. You deserve it!
Thank you, as always, for your support!
In solidarity,
Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President
Washington Teachers’ Union
Related Teacher Provider Concerns & WTU’s Response
In earlier communications this week, we heard and responded to related service providers’ concerns about DCPS’ new requirement to register with D.C. Medicaid and complete the ORP Attestation form supplied by DCPS. We believe this request violates our contract as it is imposed without bargaining with the Union. We’ve sent DCPS a list of questions from providers and requested that DCPS collectively bargain with the Union about the requirement. We then filed a grievance and a demand for arbitration, alleging that DCPS’s actions violate the contract.
The arbitration case that WTU filed is currently pending. Unfortunately, it will likely take at least several months for the case to be resolved. In the meantime, we understand that DCPS has threated to discipline providers if they refuse to complete the registration and attestation forms. WTU believes that DCPS’s actions are unacceptable and that if DCPS were to discipline providers for refusing to comply with the requirement it would violate the contract. A disciplined provider could choose to file a grievance regarding such discipline. However, while WTU believes the new requirement is improper, there is a risk that an arbitrator will ultimately disagree with that view and uphold discipline issued to providers for refusing to comply with the requirement. For those reasons, providers should understand that there is a risk that they may be disciplined if you choose not to complete the registration. WTU will continue to take all legal actions available to challenge DCPS’s actions.
DCPS Calendar 2026-2029
Please take a moment to review and give feedback to DCPS on the 2026-2029 calendar here. The WTU will be working with DCPS to ensure that our two contractual wellness days are added.
Upcoming Events, Activities & Meetings
- Dec 2 @ 5 PM, C.O.P.E. Meeting INFORMATION
- Dec 2 @ 7 PM, Teach the Black Freedom Struggle workshop
- Dec 3 @ 7 PM Ward 3 Education Network meeting. REGISTRATION
- Dec 5 @ 6:30 PM Ward 7 Education Council Meeting. EMAIL for link
- Dec 5, 2024 Democracy Forum | The Obama Foundation
- Dec 6 @ 5 PM - 7 PM, EmpowerEd invites DC educators to their East of the River Educator Happy Hour at Sala Thai.
- Dec 7 @ 10 AM - 1 PM, EdFEST (Grades 9-12), Eastern High School, Free admission, and parking, REGISTRATION
- Dec 12 @ 6 PM - 7PM, EmpowerEd Rest + Rise Social Group for Black Educators is holding a Wellness Flow Yoga Session at Bikram Yoga Ivy City. Gather with other Black educators in fellowship for a special wellness yoga session. Mats provided and beginner’s welcome!
- Dec 14 @ 10 AM - 1 PM, EdFEST (PK3 - Grade 8), DC Armory, Free admission, and parking, REGISTRATION
In the News
- Nov 22, 2024, Non-Profit News Matters, Mary Levy Forced Public Education Changes with Determination and Data
- Nov 26, 2024, Fox News, DC Schools Sees Highest Enrollment Ever Ahead of 2024 EdFEST
- Nov 26, 2024, The Washington Informer, Brookland Defeats No. 1 Ranked Johnson in Middle School DCIAA Championship
- October 2024, Annaberg Institute, Brown University, Research Paper on Teacher Evaluation Systems
PD and other opportunities
Fund for Teachers
Program Dates: Summer 2025
Application Deadline: January 23, 2025
We strongly recommend this professional opportunity, so we're giving you plenty of time to get your proposals together!! Fund for Teachers enriches the personal and professional growth of teachers by recognizing and supporting them as they identify and pursue opportunities around the globe that will have the greatest impact on their practice, the lives of their students, and their school communities. Full-time PK-12 teachers, with at least 3 years teaching experience, may apply for up to $5,000 individually or a team of teachers may apply for up to $10,000 for a summer learning experience of their own design. The Fund for Teachers website provides extensive resources to assist teachers prepare their applications. Go to www.fundforteachers.org for additional information and to apply online. Questions? Contact Salma Zaky at [email protected] or 346-258-6207.
New! Additional Praxis Core Prep Course Added!
Need to study for Praxis! Take this FREE professional development course virtually on Tuesdays beginning in December 3rd! This class is based on the exact ETS Praxis content specifications for the Core Math, Core Reading, and Core Writing exams. Participants will review all the key subject matter knowledge on both tests, work through practice test questions and be provided detailed explanations. Participants will be able to apply new knowledge to the specific question types most likely to be encountered on the exam. Interested? Register here!
Early Childhood Teacher Leader Program Opens!
Do you teach early childhood learners? If so, consider applying for the ABCDE of Learner Needs Early Childhood Teacher-Leader Program! The program offers FREE live, in-person training for ECE educators in the DC region that is aligned with OSSE's new SEL standards. Training takes place on Saturday, December 7! Apply here!
Membership Update
Make sure you are eligible to vote & receive WTU Communications!
The AM Brew is distributed as a benefit to members of the WTU. In the coming weeks, we’ll be updating our database removing non-members from the distribution for the AM Brew. To ensure that you’re not inadvertently removed from the distribution list, please confirm your personal email address by emailing [email protected].
Your ability to vote in WTU elections and receive WTU Communications depends on our ability to reach you. We must have your personal email address for all communications.
AM Brew News and Notices are archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.
Be sure to follow the WTU on X, Facebook, and Instagram to keep up with the latest from your Union.