This month, we proudly celebrate Women’s History Month by honoring the countless women whose leadership strengthens our classrooms, our schools, and our union. Every day, women educators, organizers, and advocates shape the future of our students and our movement with vision, courage, and unwavering commitment. And as we celebrate today’s leaders, we also recognize the legacy of women whose steadfast leadership has guided and grown our union throughout its recent history.
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President
Laura Fuchs
2025 - Present
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General Vice President
Lisa Haynes
2025 - Present
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President
Jacqueline Pouge Lyons
2021 - 2025
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General Vice President
Regina Bell
2021 - 2025
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President
Elizabeth Davis
2013 - 2021
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General Vice President
Candi Peterson
2013 - 2021
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Opportunities to Get involved
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Hear Directly from the Candidates Who Want Your Vote
Join us this Wednesday for the second WTU Candidate Forum, where members will hear from candidates for DC Delegate and both Independent and Democratic At‑Large Council seats. The evening will conclude with a COPE discussion on endorsement recommendations. Your participation is essential to shaping our union’s voice in this election cycle.
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WTU Member Poll on the 2026 Specialty Swag Design
This poll will be used to inform the WTU Representative Assembly who will make the final decision regarding what kind of Swag we will purchase in time for Teacher Appreciation Week! This design will NOT replace the WTU logo, but be used as a specialty item for SY2026. The poll and swag is for dues paying WTU Members
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WTU Committee on Political Education Meeting (COPE) (Zoom) - 3/2/26, 5PM
Join us Monday where members will prepare to hear from candidates for DC Delegate and both At‑Large Council seats before we discuss potential endorsement recommendations. Your voice is essential as we plan phone banking, canvassing, and broader mobilization efforts to support pro‑education candidates in the months ahead.
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WTU International Educators Committee Meeting (Zoom) - 3/2/26, 7PM
Join us Monday as we continue the conversation by mapping out next steps with LSATs, DCPS, community partners, and union leadership to strengthen advocacy for our H‑1B educators.
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WTU Socialite Committee Meeting (Zoom) - 3/3/26, 5PM
Join us on Tuesday as we gather to share feedback on recent events and begin planning upcoming activities, including Teacher Appreciation Week and potential community partnerships like the Washington Spirit Union Night.
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**TIME CHANGE** WTU Professional Development Committee (Zoom) – 3/4/26, 5:00PM
Join us on Wednesday as we review progress on our spring courses and map out next steps to better support new educators, including mentoring connections, IMPACT resources, and potential PD opportunities for first‑year members.
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WTU Organizing Committee (Zoom) - 3/5/26, 5PM
Join us this Thursday as we continue our May Day organizing work and bring members together to plan next steps for building momentum across our schools.
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WTU Executive Board Meeting (View Only) (Zoom) - 3/7/26, 9AM (10 for Members)
The WTU Executive Board will meet this Saturday with E‑Board members convening at 9 a.m.. All members who wish to observe can join at 10 a.m.
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DC Council Performance Oversight Hearings
Tell the DC Council how our government is doing spending our tax dollars. From DCPS to OSSE you can register to testify over Zoom or in person (or submit written testimony) at key hearings.
Lets show our power beyond the email!
| Date, topic & Link to sign up |
Potential Testimony Topics |
| 3/4: OSSE |
Special Education, Power Schools, School Busses |
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Following the arbitrator's ruling that DCPS must pay administrative premiums to co-teachers covering for absent partners, the Union has secured a major victory for our members; read the full update here to see the steps you need to take to claim your compensation.
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WTU Committee on Political Education Meeting (COPE) (Zoom) - 3/2/26, 5PM
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WTU International Educators Committee Meeting (Zoom) - 3/2/26, 7PM
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WTU Socialite Committee Meeting (Zoom) - 3/3/26, 5PM
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**TIME CHANGE** WTU Professional Development Committee (Zoom) – 3/4/26, 5:00PM
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**NEW** WTU Candidate Forum #2 (Zoom) 3/14/26, 6PM
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WTU Organizing Committee (Zoom) - 3/5/26, 5PM
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WTU Executive Board Meeting (View Only) (Zoom) - 3/7/26, 9AM (10 for Members)
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WTU Bylaws Review Committee (Zoom) - 3/9/26, 4:30 PM
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WTU Special Education VP Committee Meeting (Zoom) - 3/9/26, 4:30PM
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WTU Representative Assembly Meeting (Zoom) - 3/10/26, 4:30PM
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WTU Retiree Chapter Meeting (Lamond Riggs Library) - 3/11/26, 10AM
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WTU Career Educators VP Meeting (Zoom) – 3/11/26, 5PM
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WTU Senior High VP Meeting (Zoom) - 3/16/26, 4:30PM
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**NEW** WTU AFT Convention Planning Meeting (Zoom) - 3/16/26, 6 PM
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WTU Science Educator Committee (Zoom) - 3/17/26 4:30PM
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WTU Leave Bank Task Force (Zoom) - 3/17/26, 6PM
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WTU Retirement Options Task Force (Zoom) - 3/17/26 5PM
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WTU Personnel Committee - 3/18/26, 5PM
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**NEW** WTU Compensate Building Rep Task Force (Zoom) - 3/18/26, 4PM
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WTU Communications Committee (Zoom) - 3/19/26, 5 PM
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WTU Specialized Services VP Committee Meeting (Zoom) – 3/24/26, 4:30PM
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WTU Elementary VP Meeting (Zoom) – 3/24/26, 5:30PM
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SHAPPE: Senior High Alliance of Parents, Principals and Educators (Zoom) - 3/24/26, 6 PM
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WTU Replacing IMPACT Task Force (Zoom) - 3/25/26, 5:30PM
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WTU Junior High VP Meeting (Zoom) - 3/26/26, 6 PM
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Professional Development Opportunites
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Check out the latest free, for-credit professional development webinars from AFT Professional Learning, featuring sessions on everything from wellness and restorative practices to specialized instructional strategies. These upcoming events offer valuable opportunities to strengthen your skills and earn credits from the comfort of your home. Visit the AFT Event Calendar to view the full schedule and register today.
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The following are open forms you can use to inform the WTU of your opinion:
| Form Title & Link |
Purpose |
| Elementary Grade Level Leads Group Grievance |
Let us know if you were an Elementary Grade Level lead who did not get compensated. |
| Planning Time Survey |
Let us know if you are getting your full protected amount of planning time free from required LEAP and Data Meetings |
| New Educators In DCPS |
If you are new to your profession and/or new to DCPS the WTU wants to hear from you! The WTU will be hosting sessions to learn more about how things are going for new Educators and how we can better support you. |
| Self-Contained Support – Fill out form |
The WTU is gathering feedback from self-contained special education teachers to better understand your experiences, challenges, and priorities. |
| WTU: SY24-25 Morning Block Payment Calculation - Complete to receive any money due to you – Fill out form |
Fill out this form to inform us if your school held meetings, how many, and when, so we can make the case for you to be adequately compensated by DCPS for taking your protected time.
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| WTU Support Form |
If you took leave on January 29, January 30, or February 2, and your leave was charged 8 hours instead of 6 hours, please share that with us.
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| Winter Storm Facilities Issues |
If you experienced damaged cars, freezing classrooms, or other unsafe conditions at DCPS facilities as a result of the recent winter storm, please take a moment to report these issues to us.
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