President's Message

Dear WTU Family,

With a grateful heart, I want to thank everyone who made our March 4th Day of Action a success! Over 200 teachers participated in our virtual literacy teach-in, while many others distributed flyers, wore red in solidarity, and organized letter-writing campaigns. Later that day, WTU leadership and staff also stood with AFGE members to oppose the termination of federal government employees. Your advocacy is making a real impact—read more here.

Please try to join us for the Representative Assembly Meeting on March 11th at 4:30 PM (Online via Zoom) where we will discuss future actions to support students, families and teachers. This is not a sprint; it is a marathon. We will continue to discuss how we build our power and our voice during these challenging times.

WTU is hosting Virtual Leave of Absence and Leave Bank Support Sessions on March 12th, 17th, 19th, and April 1st from 4:30–6:30 PM. Register here. We hope this will prove helpful in answering any concerns or questions you have regarding the sick, maternity, and paternity leave bank, particularly now that we have a new contract with additional leave bank benefits.

We hope everyone received their 2% raise in their paycheck this past Friday. If you have any concerns or questions about your pay, please reach out to the Field Representative from your school. Everyone in our bargaining unit will receive their 4% bonus from Fiscal Year 2024 this month. In April, you will receive the retro payment due based on your 2% raise that was effective October 1^st, 2024.

Together, we will keep pushing for the resources, respect, and support that our educators and students deserve.

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, WTU President

Day of Action on March 4

Thank you to all those who participated in the Day of Action on March 4th. Last Tuesday, we had over 200 teachers participate in the virtual teach-in PD on reading and literacy. Additionally, many schools participated in the flyer distributions, wore their red WTU t-shirt, and facilitated a letter-writing campaign. At noon on March 4th, President Pogue Lyons and WTU staff participated in AFGE’s rally to stop DOGE’s harmful cuts to federal workers. If you would like to read WTOP News coverage of our actions on March 4th, you may do so by clicking here.

Virtual Leave of Absence and Leave Bank Support Sessions

On Wednesday, March 12th, Monday, March 17th, Wednesday, March 19th, and Tuesday, April 1st, there will be virtual WTU leave of absence and leave bank support sessions from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Please note that registration in advance is required if you are interested in a session. You may register in advance by clicking here.

Community Schools Rally this Thursday, March 13

At 10 am this Thursday, March 13th, there will be a rally on the steps in front of the John A. Wilson Building on the need to expand Community Schools programming in our city so we can better serve our students and families. Community schools provide critical wraparound services to students and families: everything from health care, mental care, and dental care to clothing banks and food pantries. If you have time before your parent-teacher conferences, please come out with your red WTU t-shirt to support this cause.

WTU Staff Update

We are happy to announce that two new staff members joined the WTU last week:

• Donita Jackson; Membership and Benefits Coordinator
• Reniqua Walker; Administrative Assistant/ Receptionist. 

The Jeremy Black Scholarship Fund at the TraRon Center Deadline

The deadline for the application for The Jeremy Black Scholarship Fund at the TraRon Center has been extended until April 25, 2025. This is opportunity for:

• High School seniors who have lost a loved one to gun violence.
• High School seniors who live in Wards 5, 7 and 8.
• High School seniors going to two- and four-year institutions of higher learning, including vocational and apprenticeship programs.

Click here for the Jeremy Black Scholarship Fund application due on April 25.

Upcoming Events, Activities, Meeting

• March 11 @ 4:30 pm. WTU Representative Assembly. Online via Zoom.
• March 13 @ 10 am. Community Schools Rally. Steps in front of the John A. Wilson Building

In the News

• March 5, TODAY, Teacher of the Year, Jazzmyne Townsend on TODAY.
• March 5, WTOP News, "‘It will be felt in every local school’: Teachers’ union president says Education Dept. cuts will have drastic impact."
• March 6, WUSA9, "Dept. of Education investigating DC Public Schools over disability discrimination."
• March 6, WTOP News, "DC Public Schools educator honored with $25K Milken Educator Award."

PD and Other Opportunities

• LEA Look Forward for March 7, 2025: 2024-25 Educator Retention Brief, DC STEM Fair Judges Needed,and More

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