Who are Educators Taking Action (ETA)?

“I’ve always wanted people to feel included. People are somewhat naive about what inclusion is really. It’s to be acknowledged fully as an individual. Being an educator is an opportunity to be able to serve - to make students, our community, and our members feel a part of something.” - Lisa Haynes, Candidate for WTU General Vice President on the ETA Slate

The Educators Taking Action Slate is made up of educators at all different parts of our careers. Our years in education range from brand new in our careers (3 years) to nearing retirement (40 years!) with our average clocking in at over 17 years of experience in education.

Our slate has a proven track record of fighting to make change in our schools, union and district:

Over 50% have testified at DC Council - often more than once!	16 have served or are serving currently as WTU Building Reps at their schools
Over 35% have testifyied at DC State Board of Education - as well as organized others to join!	5 are serving or have served as WTU Delegate
5 Members have organized Town Halls for WTU Members on COVID, Special Education and more	Over 90% have served in a WTU School Based Committee (SCAC, LSAT, Personnel)
14 Members have planned and executed actions for #OnlyWhenItsSafe, and #FairContractNow	8 Members are active in the DC Caucus of Rank and File Educators (DC-CORE)
7 Have led WTU Committees District-Wide	100% Are dedicated to bringing much needed change to the WTU

"A Powerful WTU is organized, united, proactive. It goes beyond union bread and butter, also advocating for the common good. Making sure students have affordable housing, healthcare, jobs that come with worker power. It must be democratic and organized as much as possible. A lot of great actions and initiatives are coming from different coalitions we have already especially the Green New Deal for schools, housing, and fighting climate change. Being able to use our work as educators for the future and to be successful in life and society, environmental sustainability in buildings, food for students. We saw in Chicago that this can work, not just for our bread and butter but also for all those we serve." - Dylan Craig, Candidate for WTU VP of High Schools on the ETA Slate

Based on interviews with Nikki Cole we learned that in addition to being educators with a passion for the students, the depth and breadth of experience and skills of this slate are vast:

Sports Writer	Camp Counselor	Chef
Trainer for Government	Coach	Organizer
Greek Organization Members	Doctor	Facility Director
Entrepreneurs	Activists	Pet Parent
Pre-Med	Volunteers	Paralegal
Human Resources	Delegates	Representatives

“The kids are amazing, creative, inquisitive. I love helping them navigate beyond content and standards, getting to know them, and how they see themselves in the world. It's important to me to be nurturing and be an effective advocate because these are a few of the things that help you become who you are.” - Paige Veliz-Gilbert, Candidate for WTU Treasurer on the ETA Slate

We are ready to take action day 1 to create a union that lives up to its promise.

Learn more about each member of our slate at: https://www.eta4wtu.org/slate