ABOUT ME
Hi, I'm Laura
A few facts
Started at HD Woodson in 2007
Current Building Rep
Served on SCAC + LSAT since 2010
Been on WTU Executive Board since 2016
WHERE I COME FROM
Born and raised in Portland Oregon, I moved to DC directly out of college, entering DCPS through the DC Teaching Fellows program. I got my first taste of education privatization through the poor training and emphasis on books like Teach Like a Champion. I quickly began to speak out against the training, but I still had a lot to learn.
RISING ACTIVISM
Teaching at Woodson has been like coming home. But as new policies like IMPACT, the Reduction in Force in 2009 and constant budget cuts plagued our schools, I began to attend our chapter union meetings, community meetings like the Ward 7 Education Council and SHAPPE as well as DC Council Budget Hearings to learn what was going on. As I learned from the community and my colleagues I began to get involved with SCAC and LSAT at my school as well as testifying at the DC Council budget hearings myself. At each event I built friendships and community with so many other activists and always learned so much information, but I kept getting frustrated by how stuck I felt speaking truth to power alongside so many over and over again to those who wouldn't listen and made no effort to change things.
LEADING IN THE WTU
What Leadership Means to Me
After taking office in 2014 WTU President Elizabeth Davis came to HD Woodson and discussed the rebuilding of the WTU's Committee on Political Education (COPE). Nominating me to lead that committee, President Davis convinced me that a new form of democratic unionism was possible - one that was led by the members who would make major strategy decisions from start to finish to rebuild our political might. She also connected us with the Chicago Teacher's Union, who had just gone on strike a few years previous to make major wins for their schools and contract. Since then I have continued to build on that mission of bringing transparency, activism and democracy to the WTU. I believe that members should be involved in all our major decisions - from negotiating the contract to organizing strategy - we need to build an organized and member driven union to build our power. This is what I have brought to the WTU and will continue to bring if I am re-elected.
I show up.
If there is an event or action on behalf of teachers or schools I either helped plan it or am there to support it. From the #SaveWashMet campaign to #OnlyWhenItsSafe I am there to support members taking action in any way I can. Facilitating meetings, taking notes, sending emails, gathering member information, circulating petitions, I will always be there to support members and allies.
The experience we need to hold WTU leadership accountable to the rank and file
2019-Present
Secretary
WTU Executive Board
As secretary I have submitted minutes, written motions on behalf of members giving them orally, created written reports for almost all of the committees, and have played an instrumental role in facilitating meetings and votes. I have been flexible, patient and available to leadership and members, creating a conduit for increased member voice and power. I respond to all requests for documents, usually within minutes and am able to provide the transparency and accountability that is asked for. If reelected, I want to make sure that minutes are more publicly available and push to get agendas and other necessary items out earlier to our Rep Assembly.
2016-2019
Member At Large, HS
WTU Executive Board
I introduced over 15 motions meant to increase transparency, member power and democracy. Unfortunately the way the WTU Bylaws were interpreted by the legal team meant most of the motions were ruled out of order and pushed to the WTU Representative Assembly.
2014-Present
Chair
WTU Committee on Political Education (COPE)
President Davis nominated me to chair COPE in 2014 and I worked with over 20 other members to create an endorsement process that we still use today and is respected by all the major candidates, increasing our political strength in DC.