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A Message from WTU’s President
Good morning WTU Family,
As we approach the end of the year, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude and humility for the privilege of representing the incredible DCPS teachers. You are the best and brightest educators in the world, shaping the future right here in our nation’s capital.
This year has not been without its challenges, but it has also been filled with remarkable progress. Our 29-member bargaining team worked tirelessly throughout the year—and even through the summer—advocating for you. They listened closely to your concerns about improving working conditions and turned those concerns into action. Together, we secured significant provisions that honor and respect educators.
Your participation and advocacy made all the difference. WTU members joined contract actions, advocated before the DC City Council and DC State Board of Education, marched with passion, and garnered support from other local unions and community members. Your dedication demonstrated the collective power of our union and ensured our voices were heard. And I am pleased to say our Collective Bargaining Agreement is now under DC City Council review (PR25-1095) and will be deemed approved on January 15th, 2024.
Beyond contract negotiations, this year was filled with many memorable events and accomplishments. From the New Educator Orientation to banned book distributions, the Union Leadership Institute, Shared Vision, professional development courses, Teacher Appreciation festivities, and last Friday’s Holiday Party—we have strengthened our union and built a community of solidarity. You also stood in solidarity with other unions, supporting their efforts to secure better working conditions and policies for their families.
Our celebration at Hotel Zena last Friday brought me so much joy! Seeing so many of you enjoying the festivities—whether eating, playing pool, creating artwork on the lightboard, listening to the live jazz band, or dancing the night away—was the perfect way to close out 2024. Thank you to everyone who joined us on that chilly night for an event so warm and lively! We’re thrilled we could accommodate everyone from the waitlist and celebrate together!
As 2024 comes to a close, I remain deeply honored and humbled to represent this incredible group of educators. Thank you for your hard work, your passion, and your unwavering commitment to the students and families of DC. I look forward to continuing this important work with all of you in the year ahead.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a bright, successful New Year!
In solidarity,
Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President
Washington Teachers’ Union
WTU’s 2024 Video Highlights & Photos by Month
Take a moment to explore the photos and videos highlighting memorable moments from 2024! Visit WTU’s website to find a monthly gallery of images. Click to reveal the photo hidden below. Enjoy!
Opportunity to Support DC-Area Families in Need
As an active Union member, you have an exciting opportunity to support fellow Union members in need through a payroll deduction. This program aids eligible workers for emergency situations, like evictions, utility cut-offs, no food, and inability to pay for needed prescriptions as examples. Annually CSA has assisted approximately 80 individuals with job-training, placement, and retention assistance. You can conveniently donate via a payroll deduction or via a check made payable to “Community Services Agency” and mailed to 815 Black Lives Matter Plaza NW, Suite 1100, Washington DC 20006. Please click on the photo or here to learn more.
Upcoming Events, Activities & Meetings
- Jan 6, 2024, @5PM, C.O.P.E. Meeting, INFORMATION
In the News
- Dec 10, 2024, Channel 4 News, ‘I tell her it’s fireworks:’ How DC shootings affected 564 of 566 schools: Gunfire has affected almost every D.C. school over the past decade, risking profound and lasting impacts on children, an investigation by the News 4 I-Team and The Trace Gun Violence Data Hub Found
- Dec 11, 2024, GW Today, Revolutionary Tales: Meet Darren Buchanan Jr., One of College Hoops’ Most Interesting Players: The All Atlantic-10 forward has found a home and is thriving at GW in his native D.C.
- Dec 12, 2024, 51st. News, Everything you need to know about D.C.’s school lottery: The lottery opens this year on Dec. 16. Before you apply, here are some things you should know.
- Dec 13, 2024, The DC Line, jonetta rose barras: How would eliminating the federal Department of Education affect public education in DC?
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.
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.
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