FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2026
Washington Teachers’ Union Ranks Dyana Forester #2 for DC Council At-Large
Dyana has a long track record of supporting educators and standing with WTU
Washington, D.C. — The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) is proud to announce that it is ranking Dyana Forester as its #2 choice for DC Council At-Large in the upcoming Democratic Primary. Forester’s long record of advocacy for public schools, labor rights, and equitable investment in DC communities reflects WTU’s commitment to supporting leaders who stand with educators and prioritize strong neighborhood schools in all eight wards.
Forester’s connection to DC Public Schools is deeply personal and longstanding. A DCPS graduate and DCPS parent, she has served on LSRTs and PTAs, led community campaigns to stop school closures, and worked as a Family & Community School Organizer for Teaching for Change, where she helped secure Parent Coordinator positions and supported the passage of Community Schools legislation. As President of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL‑CIO, she partnered with WTU to ensure safe school reopening during the pandemic and advocated for a fair contract for educators.
“Educators are the backbone of our public schools, and they deserve more than appreciation, they deserve respect, stability, and a real voice in the decisions that shape their classrooms,” said Forester. “I’ve stood alongside teachers, parents, and school staff to fight for the resources our students need, and as an At-Large Councilmember, I will continue working in true partnership with educators to ensure every school is fully supported, every teacher is valued, and every child has the opportunity to succeed.”
A consistent champion for equity, Forester emphasizes that “schools in high poverty communities serve children and families facing very different barriers to learning than those in more affluent neighborhoods.” She strongly supports the Community Schools model and believes DC must invest deeply in schools serving the highest need communities, ensuring smaller class sizes, expanded out‑of‑school-time programming, and robust academic and social‑emotional supports.
Forester has also been outspoken about the need to restore balance and accountability in DC’s education governance. She opposes the IMPACT evaluation system, stating that it has “contributed to the constant turnover of teachers, creating instability in our schools and disrupting the relationships that students rely on.” She supports repealing DC Code § 1‑617.18 to restore collective bargaining over evaluation and believes the Chancellor must be accountable to DC residents and not an extension of the Mayor.
Her priorities for the At-Large seat align with WTU’s vision for a stable, well-resourced, and community‑rooted public school system. She has committed to protecting school-based staffing, ensuring equitable‑ modernization and maintenance, strengthening supports for English Language Learners and students with disabilities, and rethinking funding structures so that “schools should not have to compete for resources.”
WTU President Laura Fuchs stated:
“Dyana Forester is a long-time labor activist and someone who has stood with the WTU. Having children and experiences in the community through DCPS, we know that she will prioritize education and continue to work alongside us as we navigate a new contract and ending IMPACT.”
The WTU encourages all members and community partners to participate in the DC Democratic Primary and rank Dyana Forester #2 for DC Council At-Large. To find out more about Dyana Forester and her campaign for DC Council At-Large visit www.DyanaforDC.com
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About the Washington Teachers’ Union
The WTU represents more than 6,000 active and retired teachers. It is dedicated to social and educational justice for the students of the District of Columbia and to improving the quality of support, resources, compensation, and working conditions for the public servants and proud teachers who educate our students in D.C. Public Schools. Learn more at www.WTULocal6.net.
For media inquiries, contact:
Akua Tay
Communications Specialis
Washington Teachers’ Union
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 412-8008
Joshua Harris
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 443.939.2043