Happy Pride Month! As we celebrate the brilliance and resilience of our LGBTQ+ students, educators, and families, we’re reminded that creating safe, affirming schools is inseparable from the choices we make as voters and as a union.
We are now entering the final two weeks of the school year, and it also happens to be the final two weeks before the DC Democratic Primaries and Special Election — one of the most consequential voting moments for public education in our city. With a new Mayor preparing to appoint the next DCPS Chancellor, the outcomes of this election will directly influence our working conditions, our students’ learning environments, and the future of our school system.
If you want to support leaders who stand with educators, here's who you should vote for:
- Janeese Lewis George for Mayor
- Aparna Raj (Ward 1)
- Matt Frumin (Ward 3)
- Zachary Parker (Ward 5)
- Charles Allen (Ward 6)
- Oye Owolewa #1 and Dyana Forester #2 for At‑Large (D)
- Elissa Silverman for At‑Large (I)
- Brian Schwalb for Attorney General
- Robert White for Congressional Delegate
At the same time, our union’s upcoming Building Elections and our final Membership Meeting give educators the opportunity to ensure that WTU remains a powerful advocate for fairness, stability, and strong public schools.
This moment calls for more than showing up at the ballot box. Every day between now and Election Day, WTU members and volunteers are calling fellow educators to talk about our endorsed candidates and you can join from anywhere. If you’d like to plug in, email President Fuchs and she’ll send you the link to join the virtual phone bank. Even a short shift helps us reach more members and build momentum.
As we head into these final two weeks of school, let’s move forward with pride, purpose, and the full strength of our collective voice.
|
The WTU is here to support you in conducting your Building Elections. We’ve created a dedicated Elections Page with all the resources you need, and you can always reach out to your WTU Organizer for questions or support. For SY26‑27, we have budgeted and are planning to reimburse dues for WTU Building Reps who meet the required criteria, so please review the details on the Elections Page.
|
WTU FY27 Budget Engagement
|
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.
|
WTU Bylaws Feedback Needed from Itinerant & Centrally Allocated Educators
|
We’re calling on all itinerant and centrally allocated educators, including OTs, SLPs, social workers, psychologists, and other non‑school‑based members, to share how you want to vote in the WTU as we finalize proposed bylaws amendments.
|
Opportunities To Get Involved This Week
|
WTU Committee on Political Education Meeting (COPE) (Zoom) - 6/1/26, 5P
Join us Monday where we continue planning for phone banking, canvassing, and broader mobilization efforts to support pro‑public education candidates in the week's ahead of the June primaries.
|
WTU International Educators Committee Meeting (Zoom) - 6/1/26, 7P
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.
|
WTU Socialite Committee Meeting (Zoom) - 6/2/26, 5P
Join us on Tuesday as we gather to share feedback on recent events and continue planning upcoming activities.
|
WTU Professional Development Committee (Zoom) - 6/3/26, 5:30P
Join us this Wednesday as we discuss summer training opportunities to continue our organizing work and bring members together to plan next steps for building momentum across our schools.
|
WTU Organizing Committee (Zoom), 6/4/26, 5P
Join us Thursday as we bring educators together to discuss shared priorities and continue building collaboration across our middle school community.
|
WTU Executive Board Meeting (View Only) (Zoom) - 6/6/26, 9A (10A 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..
|
|
Support Our Endorsed Candidates
|
Janeese Lewis George's Public Education Listening Sessions Continues
WTU members are invited to attend Janeese Lewis George’s Public Education Forum series. Be a part of crafting Janeese’s public education strategy to achieve Excellent and Safe Schools for All.
|
Teachers Canvass For Aparna Raj
Join teachers across the districts to knock doors for labor champion Aparna Raj beginning at 10AM on Sunday June 7. If you can't make it to the launch right at 10AM, feel free to come at noon or 2pm. Training will be provided — bring water, a fully charged phone, and good walking shoes!
|
GOTV with Oye Owolewa
Join Team Oye for phonebanking to reach out to educate voters before Election Day.
|
Support Dyana Forester’s At‑Large Campaign
Dyana's campaign needs doors knocked, phones worked, and neighbors reached.
|
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.
|
Tuesday, June 9
Join us for the final Membership Meeting of the year as we vote on the SY27 Budget and the WTU Proposed Bylaws Amendments.
|
Wednesday, July 8
DCPS is hosting its next districtwide Hiring Fair at Benjamin Banneker HS, 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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
-
WTU Committee on Political Education Meeting (COPE) (Zoom) - 6/1/26, 5P
-
WTU International Educators Committee Meeting (Zoom) - 6/1/26, 7P
-
WTU Socialite Committee Meeting (Zoom) - 6/2/26, 5P
-
WTU Professional Development Committee (Zoom) - 6/3/26, 5:30P
-
WTU Organizing Committee (Zoom), 6/4/26, 5P
-
WTU Executive Board Meeting (View Only) (Zoom) - 6/6/26, 9A (10A for Members)
-
WTU Special Education VP Committee Meeting (Zoom) - 6/8/26, 4:30P
-
WTU Bylaws Review Committee (Zoom) - 6/8/26, 5:30 P
-
WTU Membership Meeting (Zoom) - 6/9/26, 4:30P
-
WTU Retiree Chapter Meeting (Lamond-Riggs Library) - 6/10/26, 10A
-
WTU Career Educators VP Meeting (Zoom) – 6/10/26, 5P
-
WTU Immigrant and Multilingual Learner Taskforce (Zoom) - 6/11, 6P
-
WTU Senior High VP Meeting (Zoom) - 6/15/26, 4:30PM
-
WTU AFT Convention Planning Meeting (Zoom) - 6/15/26, 6P
-
WTU Science Educator Committee (Zoom) - 6/16/26, 4:30P
-
WTU Communications Committee (Zoom) - 6/18/26, 5 P
-
DC Pride Parade (WTU Member Meetup Location TBD) 6/20/26, 3P
|
Professional Development Opportunites
|
Level Up Your Assessment Skills With Pear
Join WTU for the first session of our Pear Assessment Spring PD on Thursday, June 4 from 5:30–7:00 PM. This session will help educators strengthen their use of Pear (formerly Edulastic) to streamline assessments and support student learning
|
Take Your Pear Skills to the Next Level
Our second Pear Assessment Spring PD session will be held on Thursday, June 11 from 5:30–7:00 PM. This session is ideal for educators, Instructional Coaches, and TLIs looking to deepen their assessment practice and maximize Pear’s advanced features.
|
The following are open forms you can use to inform the WTU of your opinion:
|
|
