Now more than ever we must ensure that our local government is one that stands up for what we believe in. As DC Election season kicks off in earnest, the WTU is preparing to get involved with candidates who will fight for our interests. Check out the opportunities to get involved in building solidarity, learn more about the candidates running to represent our District, major union wins and more.
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Opportunities to Get involved
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New Educators Meet Up
New to DCPS? We are hosting an in person event with an option to paricipate virtually, on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at the WTU Office. This will be an opportunity to share how things are going, get questions answered and discuss what supports are available and should be available from the WTU. An RSVP is included in the survey.
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Special Education Committee (Zoom) - 1/12/25, 4:30PM
Join us Monday and actively shape the support we provide to self‑contained special education teachers by sharing your real experiences, challenges, and priorities. Step into the conversation and help drive concrete improvements that directly impact your classroom and your students.
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WTU Representative Assembly Meeting (Zoom) - 1/13/26, 4:30PM
Join us Tuesday at the upcoming Representative Meeting to weigh in on key organizational business, including motions such as the proposed endorsements for the Mayoral and Ward 1 Council Democratic primaries and how to operate the leave banks moving forward. We need you there to participate and help shape the direction of our Union.
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Calling all LSATs: Support International Educators
The pressure is building on DCPS to do the right thing and restart the Green Card program - and we can't let up now. Ask your LSAT chair to add this sign on letter to the agenda of their next meeting. Once they have voted to sign on they can send that information back to Laura Fuchs. The letter won't be sent until February to give time to build a long list of schools.
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Register and attend the Educator Retention Hearing at the DC Council
On Wednesday, January 21st we have an opportunity to testify in front of the DC Council on why DCPS is failing to adequately retain our educators. You can speak to any issue you want and how you believe it affects retention - from not getting needed planning time, unnecessary paperwork, overcasting, the plight of international educators, to IMPACT - we cannot shy away from telling truth to power. Reply to this email to let us know you are planning on testifying!
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Join WTU at the 31st Annual "Bowling for Gold" Union Bowling Tournament: Sunday, February 1st at 12:30PM at Crofton Bowling Centre (2115 Priest Bridge Dr. Crofton, MD)
The WTU has committed to sponsoring 60 slots at the tournament. RSVP using the button below by January 16th. If more than 60 people register, the WTU will use a lottery system to select our 60 entries and alternates.
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Watch the recording of our Ward 1 Candidate Forum to hear directly from the candidates WTU interviewed as part of our internal endorsement process and learn where they stand on the issues that matter to educators.
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Watch the recording of our Mayoral Candidate Forum to hear directly from the candidates we interviewed as part of our internal endorsement process.
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Congratulations to our fellow WTU Member Laura Kleinmann, Librarian at Oyster-Adams for earning the Outstanding School Staff of the year
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WTU Special Education VP Committee Meeting (Zoom) - 1/12/25, 4:30PM
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WTU Representative Assembly Meeting (Zoom) - 1/13/26, 4:30PM
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WTU Retiree Chapter Meeting (Lamond Riggs Library) - 1/14/26, 10AM
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WTU Career Educators VP Meeting (Zoom) – 1/14/26, 5PM
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Decoding Dyslexia DC Speaker (Zoom) – 1/14/26, 7PM
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WTU Science Educator Committee (Zoom) - 1/20/26, 4:30 PM
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WTU Retirement Options Task Force (Zoom) - 1/20/26 5:00 PM
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DC Council Educator Retention Hearing (Register) - 1/21/26, 2:30PM onwards
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DC State Board of Education Public Meeting (441 4th St. NW) 1/21/26, 5:30 PM
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WTU Senior High VP Meeting (Zoom) - 1/22/26, 4:30PM *Moved due to holiday*
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WTU Junior High VP Meeting (Zoom) - 1/22/26, 6 PM
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WTU Specialized Services VP Committee Meeting (Zoom) – 1/27/26, 4:30PM
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WTU Elementary VP Meeting (Zoom) – 1/27/26, 5:30PM
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SHAPPE: Senior High Alliance of Parents, Principals and Educators (Zoom) - 1/27/26, 6 PM
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CSA: Bowling for Gold (RSVP) - 2/1/26, 12:30PM
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WTU Committee on Political Education Meeting (COPE) (Zoom) - 2/2/26, 5PM
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WTU International Educators Committee Meeting (Zoom) - 2/2/26, 7PM
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WTU Socialite Committee Meeting (Zoom) - 2/3/26, 5PM
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LSAT Collective (Zoom) - 2/3/26, 7PM
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WTU Professional Development Committee (Zoom) – 2/4/26, 5:30PM
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WTU Organizing Committee (Zoom) - 2/5/26, 5PM
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WTU Executive Board Meeting (View Only) (Zoom) - 2/7/26, 9AM (10 for Members)
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PERB Ruling: DCPS must bargain in good faith.
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Back in July of 2025 the WTU won a case in front of the Public Employee Relations Board (PERB) filed under the previous administration that proved DCPS had refused to bargain in good faith under the previous administration. DCPS requested PERB reconsider and in October the WTU again won its position. After significant delay the WTU reached out to DCPS in December to inquire why the required posting hadn't been made, and on January 5th it was sent.
This win will be crucial for when we negotiate with DCPS in the near future. It says that DCPS cannot simply claim managerial rights on every topic and refuse to negotiate, they cannot engage in refusals to meet at appropriate times, and more.
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The following are open forms you can use to inform the WTU of your opinion:
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Thank you for your continued dedication to our students, our schools, and our union. Let’s stay informed and united because together, we’re stronger.
In solidarity,
Washington Teachers’ Union
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