WTU Ranks Elissa Silverman as Its Top Choice for DC Council At-Large (Independent)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2026
Washington Teachers’ Union Ranks Elissa Silverman as Its Top Choice for DC Council At-Large (Independent)
Washington, D.C. — The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) proudly announces that it is ranking Elissa Silverman as its top choices for the At-Large Independent seat on the DC Council. Silverman’s long record of oversight, accountability, and steadfast advocacy for traditional public schools reflects WTU’s commitment to supporting leaders who prioritize strong neighborhood schools, transparent governance, and equitable investment across all eight wards.
Silverman’s connection to public education is both personal and deeply rooted. A graduate of Baltimore City Public Schools, she began her engagement with DCPS as a volunteer at Marie Reed through the Everybody Wins reading program. During her eight years on the DC Council, she was a consistent champion for DCPS, visiting schools across the city, partnering with principals and PTAs, and working closely with WTU leadership to strengthen school communities and hold the District accountable for meeting its obligations to students and educators.
A vocal advocate for stable and predictable school funding, Silverman has emphasized the need to fully enforce the Schools First law and ensure that at‑risk dollars supplement, not replace, core funding. She believes every school should have the same baseline of resources: “a nurse, a librarian, arts teachers, and multiple world language teachers,” regardless of neighborhood wealth. She has also called for restoring a stand‑alone Education Committee on the Council to ensure focused oversight of DCPS, OSSE, and the Public Charter School Board.
Silverman has been outspoken about the need to reduce teacher turnover and reform the IMPACT evaluation system, noting that it “drives out even high‑performing teachers” and undermines school stability. She supports giving WTU a seat at the table in designing a fairer evaluation system and has long advocated for stronger pipelines including paraprofessional‑to‑teacher pathways, restoring the H‑1B sponsorship program, and expanding mentorship for early‑career educators.
Her priorities for the At‑Large seat align with WTU’s vision for a stable, equitable, and community‑rooted public school system. She has committed to shifting resources from central office to schools, strengthening oversight of charter schools, improving OSSE’s transportation system, and ensuring that students with disabilities and English Language Learners receive the services they are entitled to under the law.
WTU President Laura Fuchs stated:
“In her time on the DC Council, Elissa Silverman was a staunch ally for our members and fellow workers. Elissa has proven her commitment through championing DC Paid Family Leave and other needed worker benefits, support for our local schools and a willingness to stand strong on the DC Council when needed. The WTU encourages all members and community stakeholders to participate in the DC Primary election and support Elissa Silverman as one of the union’s top choices for DC Council At-Large.”
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About the Washington Teachers’ Union
The WTU represents more than 6,000 active and retired teachers. It is dedicated to social and educational justice for the students of the District of Columbia and to improving the quality of support, resources, compensation, and working conditions for the public servants and proud teachers who educate our students in D.C. Public Schools. Learn more at www.WTULocal6.net.
For media inquiries, contact:
Akua Tay
Communications Specialist
Washington Teachers’ Union
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 412-8008
Elissa Silverman
Email: [email protected]
WTU Ranks Dyana Forester #2 for DC Council At Large
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2026
Washington Teachers’ Union Ranks Dyana Forester #2 for DC Council At-Large
Dyana has a long track record of supporting educators and standing with WTU
Washington, D.C. — The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) is proud to announce that it is ranking Dyana Forester as its #2 choice for DC Council At-Large in the upcoming Democratic Primary. Forester’s long record of advocacy for public schools, labor rights, and equitable investment in DC communities reflects WTU’s commitment to supporting leaders who stand with educators and prioritize strong neighborhood schools in all eight wards.
Forester’s connection to DC Public Schools is deeply personal and longstanding. A DCPS graduate and DCPS parent, she has served on LSRTs and PTAs, led community campaigns to stop school closures, and worked as a Family & Community School Organizer for Teaching for Change, where she helped secure Parent Coordinator positions and supported the passage of Community Schools legislation. As President of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL‑CIO, she partnered with WTU to ensure safe school reopening during the pandemic and advocated for a fair contract for educators.
“Educators are the backbone of our public schools, and they deserve more than appreciation, they deserve respect, stability, and a real voice in the decisions that shape their classrooms,” said Forester. “I’ve stood alongside teachers, parents, and school staff to fight for the resources our students need, and as an At-Large Councilmember, I will continue working in true partnership with educators to ensure every school is fully supported, every teacher is valued, and every child has the opportunity to succeed.”
A consistent champion for equity, Forester emphasizes that “schools in high poverty communities serve children and families facing very different barriers to learning than those in more affluent neighborhoods.” She strongly supports the Community Schools model and believes DC must invest deeply in schools serving the highest need communities, ensuring smaller class sizes, expanded out‑of‑school-time programming, and robust academic and social‑emotional supports.
Forester has also been outspoken about the need to restore balance and accountability in DC’s education governance. She opposes the IMPACT evaluation system, stating that it has “contributed to the constant turnover of teachers, creating instability in our schools and disrupting the relationships that students rely on.” She supports repealing DC Code § 1‑617.18 to restore collective bargaining over evaluation and believes the Chancellor must be accountable to DC residents and not an extension of the Mayor.
Her priorities for the At-Large seat align with WTU’s vision for a stable, well-resourced, and community‑rooted public school system. She has committed to protecting school-based staffing, ensuring equitable‑ modernization and maintenance, strengthening supports for English Language Learners and students with disabilities, and rethinking funding structures so that “schools should not have to compete for resources.”
WTU President Laura Fuchs stated:
“Dyana Forester is a long-time labor activist and someone who has stood with the WTU. Having children and experiences in the community through DCPS, we know that she will prioritize education and continue to work alongside us as we navigate a new contract and ending IMPACT.”
The WTU encourages all members and community partners to participate in the DC Democratic Primary and rank Dyana Forester #2 for DC Council At-Large. To find out more about Dyana Forester and her campaign for DC Council At-Large visit www.DyanaforDC.com
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About the Washington Teachers’ Union
The WTU represents more than 6,000 active and retired teachers. It is dedicated to social and educational justice for the students of the District of Columbia and to improving the quality of support, resources, compensation, and working conditions for the public servants and proud teachers who educate our students in D.C. Public Schools. Learn more at www.WTULocal6.net.
For media inquiries, contact:
Akua Tay
Communications Specialis
Washington Teachers’ Union
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 412-8008
Joshua Harris
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 443.939.2043
WTU Ranks Oye Owolewa #1 for DC Council At Large
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2026
Washington Teachers’ Union Ranks Oye Owolewa #1 for DC Council At‑Large
Washington, D.C. — The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) proudly announces that it is ranking Oye Owolewa as its #1 choice for DC Council At‑Large in the upcoming Democratic Primary. This decision reflects WTU’s commitment to supporting leaders who prioritize public education, equity, educator voice, and democratic governance across the District.
Owolewa is a long‑time advocate for public schools and a familiar presence in DC classrooms. He has volunteered regularly at Turner and Malcolm X Elementary Schools, where he “run[s] science experiments and encourag[es] students to call each other ‘doctor’ so they can see themselves in STEM.” His work pairs hands‑on learning with “social and emotional lessons about purpose, respect, and belonging.”
A champion for educator voice, Owolewa has been outspoken about the need to rebalance power in DC’s education system. “We need to rebalance power so teachers, principals, parents, students, and LSATs have real voice in budget and policy decisions,” he wrote. He has also committed to restoring collective bargaining rights: “I support repealing DC Code § 1‑617.18 and restoring collective bargaining over teacher evaluation. Evaluation is a fundamental working condition and should be negotiated, not imposed.”
Owolewa’s priorities for the At‑Large seat align strongly with WTU’s vision for a stable, equitable, and community‑rooted public school system. He believes “a strong school is a stable, walkable neighborhood school where teachers stay, class sizes are manageable, and resources match student need.” His platform emphasizes stabilizing school budgets, strengthening LSAT authority, expanding educator pipelines, and ensuring equitable access to services for English Language Learners and students with disabilities.
WTU President Laura Fuchs stated:
“Oye Owolewa has demonstrated his consistency and determination to serve the residents of DC. He shows up and has proven results. His genuine connections with educators and interest in what is going on in the community will be a valuable asset on the DC Council as we fight for more democracy and accountability in our public education system.”
The WTU urges all members and community stakeholders to participate in the DC Democratic Primary and rank Oye Owolewa #1 for DC Council At‑Large.
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About the Washington Teachers’ Union
The WTU represents more than 6,000 active and retired teachers. It is dedicated to social and educational justice for the students of the District of Columbia and to improving the quality of support, resources, compensation, and working conditions for the public servants and proud teachers who educate our students in D.C. Public Schools. Learn more at www.WTULocal6.net.
For media inquiries, contact:
Akua Tay
Communications Specialist
Washington Teachers Union
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 412-8008
Bob Schlehube
Email: bob@vote4oye.com
Were You Disciplined for Medicaid Registration? WTU Needs to Hear From You
We are pleased to announce that the Union has won an important arbitration case on behalf of Related Service Providers.
An arbitrator found that DCPS violated our collective bargaining agreement when it forced Providers to register with the DC Medicaid system without bargaining with WTU.
The Arbitrator has ordered DCPS to provide the Union with information that it has requested and ordered DCPS to bargain over the requirements with the Union, including bargaining over (1) pay for Providers who were required to complete additional work and (2) any discipline issued to Providers who did not timely register.
This is the second time in the last year that DCPS has been found to have not met its obligation to bargain with the Union. And it is the third time in the last six months that arbitrators have found that DCPS violated the CBA in ways impacting large groups of the bargaining unit. WTU will continue to hold DCPS accountable for its contractual obligations.
DCPS may attempt to seek review of the decision. In the meantime, if you are a Provider who was disciplined for not registering with the Medicaid system and you have not previously notified the Union of that discipline, please contact Grievance Specialist Janice Brown Parker at [email protected] as soon as possible.
Big Win for Co-Teachers: Arbitrator Rules DCPS Must Pay for Classroom Coverage
We are pleased to announce that the Union has won an important arbitration case on behalf of co-teachers.
An Arbitrator issued a decision finding that DCPS must provide extra pay to teachers when their co-teacher is absent from a co-taught classroom, no matter the reason. This was thanks to a grievance brought by teachers at Deal MS. The Arbitrator concluded that “the clear language of Article 23.17.6.1 requires the payment of an administrative premium to co-teachers who provide instructional coverage for an absent co-teacher.”
DCPS may attempt to seek review of the decision. However, at this time teachers should seek compensation that they are entitled to.
If you are required to cover a class for an absent co-teacher you should:
• Keep your own written records of any day you are left as the sole teacher in your co-taught classroom
• Request compensation in writing from your school administration for each day of coverage using the system outlined by your school
• If you are denied coverage, contact your building representative right away about filing a grievance or fill out the WTU Support Form https://bit.ly/wtusupport
WTU Endorses Aparna Raj For Ward 1 Councilmember
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 21, 2026
Washington Teachers’ Union Endorses Aparna Raj for Ward 1 DC Councilmember
Washington, D.C. — The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) proudly announces its endorsement of Aparna Raj for Ward 1 DC Councilmember in the upcoming Democratic Primary on June 16, 2026. This endorsement reflects WTU’s commitment to supporting leaders who prioritize public education, equity, and educator voice in shaping the future of DC schools.
Aparna Raj is a lifelong advocate for public education and community empowerment. Her own public school education opened doors to college and a career in DC, and she has dedicated her work to ensuring every child has access to high-quality education and wrap-around supports. Aparna has volunteered as a tutor, supported Bancroft Elementary’s Safe Streets program, and stood in solidarity with WTU during contract negotiations and rallies to restore funding for DC schools.
“Public schools are the foundation for safe and healthy communities,” said Raj. “Educators, students, and parents know more about building thriving schools than out-of-touch “reformers,” and they should have a bigger say in education policy.”
Aparna Raj’s priorities as Ward 1 Councilmember also include:
- Democratizing school governance by reducing mayoral control and empowering the elected State Board of Education.
- Increasing school funding and reforming the formula to ensure equity across all eight wards.
- Reducing teacher turnover through higher pay, mental health supports, and making IMPACT subject to bargaining.
- Expanding educator pipelines by supporting paraprofessional-to-teacher programs and restoring visa and Green Card pathways for international educators.
- Improving school facilities and safety through stronger oversight of DGS and expanded Safe Passage programs.
WTU President Laura Fuchs stated: "Aparna Raj is a clear choice for our members due to her long time commitment and allyship with educators. She stood alongside us fighting for a fair contract. She understands the real consequences of IMPACT and Mayoral control on our schools. We know she will take a strong and uncompromising stance in support of our schools, and that is exactly what we need."
The WTU urges all members and community stakeholders to vote in the DC Democratic Primary on June 16, 2026, and support Aparna Raj for Ward 1 DC Councilmember.
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About the Washington Teachers’ Union
The WTU represents more than 6,000 active and retired teachers. It is dedicated to social and educational justice for the students of the District of Columbia and to improving the quality of support, resources, compensation and working conditions for the public servants and proud teachers who educate our students in D.C. Public Schools. Learn more at www.WTULocal6.net.
For media inquiries, contact:
Akua Tay
Communications Specialist
Washington Teachers’ Union
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 412-8008
Marisa Bellantonio
Communications Director
Aparna Raj For DC Campaign
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 203-479-2026
PRESS RELEASE: WTU Endorses Janeese Lewis George for Mayor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2026
Washington Teachers’ Union Endorses Janeese Lewis George for Mayor
Washington, D.C. — The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) proudly announces its endorsement of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George for Mayor of the District of Columbia in the upcoming Democratic Primary on June 16, 2026. This endorsement reflects WTU’s commitment to supporting leaders who prioritize public education, equity, and the well-being of educators and students across the District.
Lewis George, a third-generation DC resident and DCPS graduate, has demonstrated unwavering dedication to strengthening public schools. As a Councilmember and chair of the Committee on Facilities, she has championed initiatives to improve school infrastructure, secure funding for critical positions such as librarians, and advocated for fair teacher contracts. Her leadership has been instrumental in passing legislation like the Work Order Integrity Act, ensuring that school-based staff have a voice in determining when facilities are ready for teaching and learning.
“Our educators are the most important factor in the educational experiences of students,” said Lewis George. “As mayor, I will continue working with WTU to ensure our schools are safe environments for productive learning and working. I’ll also build upon my relationships with WTU and our teachers to ensure they have a seat at the table as we develop a more coherent, fair, and transparent budget for our schools so that every student, in every Ward can learn and thrive.”
Lewis George's priorities as Mayor also include:
- Reducing teacher turnover through reforms to evaluation systems, housing assistance, and wellness programs.
- Expanding recruitment of Black male educators and bilingual teachers.
- Ensuring full compliance with school funding laws, including "at-risk" and ELL student support.
- Modernizing and maintaining school facilities with transparency and accountability.
- Building a stronger teacher pipeline and restoring visa support for international educators.
- Expanding after-school programming in all eight wards because she knows firsthand how critical safe, enriching programming is for young people.
WTU President Laura Fuchs stated: “The WTU's endorsement of Janeese was one of the easiest decisions we have made. Since before her first run for DC Council, Janeese has fought for educators, students and our public school communities. Her belief in democratic governance of our schools, commitment to funding needed positions like school librarians, and fighting against the closure of Washington Met are just a few of the reasons the WTU will stand with Janeese in her run for Mayor. Janeese is the candidate for people who care about young people and education.”
The WTU urges all members and community stakeholders to vote in the DC Democratic Primary on June 16, 2026, and support Janeese Lewis George for Mayor.
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About the Washington Teachers’ Union
The WTU represents more than 5,000 active and retired teachers. It is dedicated to social and educational justice for the students of the District of Columbia and to improving the quality of support, resources, compensation and working conditions for the public servants and proud teachers who educate our students in D.C. Public Schools. Learn more at www.WTULocal6.net.
For media inquiries, contact:
Akua Tay
Communications Specialist
Washington Teachers' Union
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 412-8008
Amanda Michelle Gomez
Communications Director
Janeese Lewis George for DC Mayor campaign
Phone: (202) 709-6176
WTU Wins Major Award
The WTU won an arbitration award for a grievance filed in 2016 concerning teachers in the 2015-2016 school year who had been rated "Developing" and then unjustly denied a pay step increase. This win should result in close to $2.8 million being paid to approximately 178 harmed educators.
Following the award, and in coordination with legal counsel, we were advised that the DC Office of Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining (OLRCB) sought to discuss a potential settlement. We welcomed that opportunity as a chance to expand the number of members who could benefit from this significant decision.
After the award was issued, the WTU repeatedly requested information from OLRCB regarding the impacted teachers—seeking details about who would receive payment, how much, and how the Union could verify that all eligible educators were made whole. Despite several months of outreach and follow-up, OLRCB failed to communicate or act in good faith. Instead, the District proceeded unilaterally, withholding critical information and excluding the WTU from the implementation process.
Read moreThe Union Update
The Union Update is your weekly roundup from the Washington Teachers’ Union, featuring key news, upcoming events, member highlights, and advocacy updates. Stay informed, stay empowered, and stay connected with your union.
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Welcome New Staff!
The WTU has hired 4 amazing new staff members to support the work of our union.
Welcome to:
- Zachary Carroll - WTU Grievance Specialist
- Jeremiah Lowery - WTU Organizer
- Rejil Solis - WTU Organizer
- Akua Tay - WTU Communication Specialist