New DC Teachers Learn Benefits of Union

Hundreds of new DC teachers joined the Washington Teachers Union yesterday at the annual DCPS New Teacher Orientation. "There's a lot of interest by new teachers in the union," said Cheryl Miller, a longtime special ed teacher who's been involved in the union for many years, during a rare lull in the daylong event at the Columbia Heights Education Campus on 16th Street. "They have a lot of questions about what we offer as a union, the benefits, teacher support, and the union contract. I always tell them the most important thing is that 'You are the union,' and urge them to get involved to make sure their voice is heard." An impressive 83% of the 472 attendees joined the union, WTU reports. The union also donated 150 extra bag lunches to the DC Central Kitchen. In a related story, the Teachers Union and Making Change at Walmart will join elected officials and other supporters of public education at a press conference this morning to call attention to the way the Walton family and Walmart are short-changing Washington, DC’s students (see calendar, above; you can also catch WTU General Vice President Jacqueline Pogue Lyons on WPFW 89.3 FM this morning at 9:30a; click here to hear the archived show).
- report/photos by Chris Garlock