Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible mothers, grandmothers, caregivers, and mother‑figures in our WTU community. We honor the love, labor, and leadership you pour into your families, your classrooms, and our city every single day!
We're hiring! The WTU is hiring throughout the month of May and encourages members to apply for two newly posted positions: Grievance Specialist and Campaign Organizer, both full‑time roles with competitive salaries, strong benefits, and opportunities to advance educator rights and union power across DC. Interested members should send their resumes to the Personnel Committee to be considered.
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WTU FY27 Budget Engagement
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Join the conversation about the WTU FY27 Budget, where members can ask questions, share feedback, and weigh in on how dues are allocated for the coming year. The FY27 Budget will be voted on at the June Membership Meeting, and all members are welcome and eligible to vote.
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Opportunities To Get Involved This Week
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WTU Special Education VP Committee Meeting (Zoom) - 5/11/26, 4:30P
Join us Monday as we begin shaping our statement on the definition of specialized instruction and map out next steps on self‑contained class size overages based on our contract language.
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WTU Bylaws Review Committee (Zoom) - 5/11/26, 5:30 P
Join Monday’s meeting to help shape the long‑term vision of the WTU as we review our bylaws, strengthen union democracy and accountability, as well as discuss how these rules can protect and advance the union’s legacy.
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WTU Representative Assembly Meeting (Zoom) - 5/12/26, 4:30P
On Tuesday, members will hear from committees and receive updates on the newly formed task forces. All members can register and attend, Reps and Delegates will get a special link for voting purposes.
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WTU Career Educators VP Meeting (Zoom) – 5/13/26, 5P
Join this Wednesday’s meeting to share what’s happening in your school, hear campaign updates, and help plan the actions career educators and allies will take next.
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**NEW** WTU Immigrant and Multilingual Learner Taskforce (Zoom) - 5/14, 6P
Join us for the first meeting of the Immigrant & Multilingual Learner Task Force this Thursday, where members will begin working together to ensure immigrant students and multilingual learners experience schools as places of safety, belonging, and trust by centering student and family well‑being.
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Support Our Endorsed Candidates
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Join President Fuchs at Janeese Lewis George's Public Education Listening Sessions
WTU members are invited to attend Janeese Lewis George’s Public Education Forum series, including the May 21 session on Addressing Chronic Absenteeism moderated by President Laura Fuchs.
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Meet-&-Greet Aparna Raj
Join your friends and neighbors at Casamigo Bar and Grill on Tuesday May 12th in Mount Pleasant to meet with candidate for Ward 1 DC Council, Aparna Raj.
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Door Knock with Oye Owolewa
Door Knock for Oye at Howard! Join us on Saturday May 16th as we knock doors and talk to our neighbors about Oye's platform. Bring your phone fully charged, a bottle of water, and your best smile!
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Support Dyana Forester’s At‑Large Campaign
Dyana Forester is building a people‑powered At‑Large campaign, and your contribution today helps ensure her bold, community‑centered leadership has the resources to reach every voter.
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Support Elissa Silverman’s At‑Large Campaign
Elissa Silverman is counting on grassroots support to fuel her At‑Large campaign. Chip in today to help keep a strong advocate for public schools at the Council.
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Thursday, May 28
DCPS is hosting its next districtwide Hiring Fair at MacFarland Middle School, and WTU encourages all interested educators to save the date. Whether you’re exploring new opportunities or supporting future colleagues, this is a great chance to connect with schools across the city.
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May Day Power: Educators Across DC Work to the Rule
WTU extends our deep appreciation to every educator who participated in May Day’s Work to the Rule actions, showing powerful unity in schools across all 8 wards. Your collective presence, walk‑ins, and commitment to honoring the value of educators sent a strong message about the dignity of our work and the strength of our union.
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Last week’s Union Leadership Institute offered a deep dive into the core responsibilities of Building Reps and school‑based leaders, from running secure, high‑participation building elections to navigating Personnel Committee duties and IMPACT grievance preparation. If you missed it, watch the full training video to strengthen your skills and stay ready to advocate for your school community.
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The major highlight from this month’s Representative Assembly was the presentation of the proposed Compensating Building Rep Framework, which outlines three check‑in points (November, March, and June) where Reps complete a short form aligned to union priorities. Members are encouraged to review the materials and share feedback as WTU works toward a holistic, good‑faith‑based approach to dues reimbursement with built‑in support throughout the year.
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Watch the Excessing Town Hall on Youtube
WTU President Laura Fuchs walks members through the excessing process, recent arbitration wins, and what every educator and LSAT member needs to know as budgets shift. Watch the recorded session to understand your rights, how excessing really works, and why “positions, not people” is the key principle in this year’s staffing cycle.
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Missed the Retirement Workshop? Catch Up Here
If you missed the Preparing for Retirement workshop, you can review the full overview of steps, key contacts, DCPS/DCRB materials, WTU FAQs, and best practices shared by recent retirees. Take a moment to explore these resources so you feel confident and informed as you plan your path to retirement on our website.
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WTU SY26-27 Elections Packet
The WTU is here to support you in elections. We have set up a page on our website that has the resources you should need to conduct your elections. We will go through the packet at Saturday's ULI and will record that session in case you cannot make it.
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How Can We Communicate Better?
We are gathering member feedback to strengthen our communications, and would love to hear directly from you about what’s working, what’s not, and what you’d like to see more of. If you’re open to a quick 15‑minute conversation, virtual or in person, just share a day and time that works for you so we can connect.
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WTU Special Education VP Committee Meeting (Zoom) - 5/11/26, 4:30P
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WTU Bylaws Review Committee (Zoom) - 5/11/26, 5:30 P
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WTU Representative Assembly Meeting (Zoom) - 5/12/26, 4:30P
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WTU Retiree Chapter Meeting (Lamond-Riggs Library) - 5/13/26, 10A
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WTU Career Educators VP Meeting (Zoom) – 5/13/26, 5P
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**NEW** WTU Immigrant and Multilingual Learner Taskforce (Zoom) - 5/14, 6P
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WTU Senior High VP Meeting (Zoom) - 5/18/26, 4:30PM
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WTU AFT Convention Planning Meeting (Zoom) - 5/18/26, 6P
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WTU Science Educator Committee (Zoom) - 5/19/26, 4:30P
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WTU Communications Committee (Zoom) - 5/21/26, 5 PM
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WTU Specialized Services VP Committee Meeting (Zoom) – 5/26/26, 4:30PM
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WTU Elementary VP Meeting (Zoom) – 5/26/26, 5:30PM
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SHAPPE: Senior High Alliance of Parents, Principals and Educators (Zoom) - 5/26/26, 6PM
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WTU Replacing IMPACT Task Force (Zoom) - 5/27/26, 5:30PM
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WTU Junior High VP Meeting (Zoom) - 5/28/26, 6 P
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WTU Committee on Political Education Meeting (COPE) (Zoom) - 6/1/26, 5P
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WTU International Educators Committee Meeting (Zoom) - 6/1/26, 7P
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WTU Socialite Committee Meeting (Zoom) - 6/2/26, 5P
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WTU Professional Development Committee (Zoom) - 6/3/26, 5:30P
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WTU Organizing Committee (Zoom), 6/4/26, 5P
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WTU Executive Board Meeting (View Only) (Zoom) - 6/6/26, 9AM (10 for Members)
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Professional Development Opportunites
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Teach The District
WTU members are invited to apply for Teach the District, a paid July 13–17 professional development program for 3rd–12th grade educators that includes field trips, a $600 stipend, and daily lunch. Read the 2025 program recap to see what last year’s cohort experienced, and be sure to submit your application by May 31.
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National History Day in DC summer intensive
This August 4–6, WTU members can participate in the National History Day in DC Summer Intensive, a dynamic PD experience featuring onsite sessions at the DC History Center, museum visits, a $500 stipend, and buffet‑style lunch each day. Check out the 2025 summary to get a feel for the program and learn how to apply.
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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:
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