Join us for the latest AFT Book Club session featuring a compelling conversation between AFT President Randi Weingarten and Sami Sage, co-founder of Betches Media and New York Times bestselling author of Democracy in Retrograde: How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and in Our Lives. ​aft.org+1Threads+1

In this insightful discussion, Sage shares her perspective on today's political landscape and offers practical advice on reclaiming individual power to effect change. Drawing from her book, co-authored with Emily Amick, she emphasizes how civic engagement can serve as a form of self-care and personal empowerment, making activism more accessible and relatable. ​Simon & Schuster+3aft.org+3bookclubs.com+3

As the host of the Morning Announcements podcast, Sage brings a blend of humor and substance to complex issues. In this session, she breaks down how small, everyday actions can have a significant impact on our communities and democracy. Weingarten joins the conversation, offering insights on the role of education in fostering informed, engaged citizens and the importance of active participation in preserving democratic ideals.​aft.org

Don't miss this engaging discussion on how each of us can make a difference—and why it matters now more than ever. Watch the conversation on-demand here: aft.org

📢 Register Now for WTU’s Winter 2025 PD Courses – Early Bird Deadline This Friday!

Winter is the perfect time to invest in your professional growth! The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) is offering a diverse lineup of research-based, peer-to-peer professional development (PD) courses designed to enhance your skills and help you meet recertification requirements.

📅 Early Bird Deadline: Friday, February 14th
💰 Save $25 by registering early – only $125 per course for WTU members!

🔹 Why Enroll?
✅ Aligned with DCPS IMPACT Teaching and Learning Framework
✅ Earn up to 45 Professional Learning Units (PLUs)
✅ Option to earn Trinity University Graduate Credits
✅ Engaging, practical, and immediately applicable strategies for your classroom

Featured Winter 2025 PD Courses:

✔️ Civics 101: What is Truth? – Explore civics education and digital literacy
✔️ Experiential Learning Techniques – Implement role-plays and simulations
✔️ Understanding IMPACT – Master the teacher evaluation system
✔️ Managing Behaviors in School Communities – Address student behavioral challenges
✔️ Reading Comprehension Instruction – Strengthen students’ literacy skills
... and many more!

🔗 Browse Courses & Register Now: WTU Winter PD Registration

📢 Don’t miss out! Secure your spot before prices increase to $150 on Feb. 15th.

Questions? Contact WTU PD Support at ntorney@wtulocal6.net or (202) 517-1477.

Let’s grow together this winter! ❄️📚✨

Fall is HERE and so are WTU's Fall Professional Development Courses! Registration is now open for Psychology of the Exceptional Child, Praxis Course Preparation, and Reading Comprehension Instruction! Keep an eye on the AM Brew for new courses opening up soon. Want to learn more about managing disruptive behavior in a classroom? ...or how to differentiate instruction? Maybe you are curious about how to integrate some of the latest emerging educational technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Virtual Reality (VR) in your classroom? Don't miss the chance to grab your spot when these courses open. All who register before September 20th will take advantage of WTU's early bird prices of $125 for a three-credit course!

Register online here and/or download the PD catalogue now! 

If you haven't had the opportunity to learn about AFT's Teacher Leader Program (TLP), please register for our online orientation session on Thursday, September 29th @4:30PM via Zoom.

TLP brings together a select group of 10 teachers throughout the school year to learn how to take active leadership roles in their schools, unions, and communities.

Those who finish the TLP program with a completed project will receive a stipend from the AFT and access to a nationwide online community of teacher leaders from all locals engaged in this work. Also, their completed project will be eligible for 60 PLUs. 

Through the AFT Teacher Leaders Program, the WTU and other local affiliates nationwide have:

• Established relationships among teachers and policymakers, community organizations and community leaders;

• Developed an informed teacher voice to participate in both the local and national dialogue on education;

• Established a vehicle for positive messaging about public schools and their unions; and

• Created a pipeline for future school and union leaders.

“One of the most rewarding professional development experiences I’ve had as a teacher.” —AFT Teacher Leader from Washington (D.C.) Teachers’ Union

To learn more, click here.

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.

WTU's professional development program offers Shared Vision, our Spring Professional Development Conference, as well as online and face-to-face courses for teachers who aim to sharpen their skills, explore research opportunities, earn academic credit, and fulfill certification requirements. 

Our Shared Vision Conference brings together educators, policymakers, and the community to discuss the state of DC schools and what can be done to re-center our vision on students’ needs. This year, in keeping with WTU’s focus on literacy, we will welcome award-winning author Sharon G. Flake for both an in-person session with teachers/students on April 26^th and a virtual session on April 27^th. Although all teachers are invited to attend the in-person session on Friday, we want to extend a special invitation to MS and HS librarians and English teachers. All who participate in the in-person event will have an opportunity to receive a free copy of “The Skin I’m In.” This book will be the focus of our author discussion. WTU will provide lunch for all participants. Students will also have an opportunity to receive additional books by the writer, Sharon G. Flake. If you are interested in attending the in-person sessions with your students on Friday, April 26^th from 10AM-1:30PM, please contact Mike Roland [email protected].

On Saturday, April 27^{th ,} the virtual component of our Shared Vision Conference will focus on building literary for our young adults as well as our legislative session with DC City Council and State Board members. Author, Sharon G. Flake will be our keynote speaker and we will have professional development sessions on building literacy. If you are interested in registering for the online session of the Shared Vision Conference on Saturday, April 27th, click here. 

Take a moment to check out some of WTU's fall 2023 professional development courses below. Click on each picture to learn more.

It's not to late to register for WTU's Summer Institute at Kimball Elementary School. Four exciting new courses plus yoga breaks, ice cream socials, line dancing, and more! Come spend a week socializing and learning from your colleagues! Classes start Monday, June 26th! A light breakfast and registration begins at 9:30AM. Classes start promptly at 10AM. To learn more, register here.