Breakthrough Montessori teachers form union under DC Alliance

Breakthrough Montessori Public Charter School in Washington, D.C., has seen its teachers and non-supervisory staff vote to form a union under the DC Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff (DC ACTS). The vote, which took place late Wednesday, saw more than 90 percent of eligible staff supporting the move.

Kelley Ukhun, president of DC ACTS, commented on the outcome: “Tonight’s vote is a powerful affirmation of what happens when educators come together with courage and clarity of purpose. The staff at Breakthrough Montessori have spoken with one voice—and that voice is calling for respect, partnership and a real seat at the table. We’re thrilled to welcome them into our union family and look forward to supporting them as they move forward with their first contract. This is what collective power looks like, and it’s just the beginning.” The National Labor Relations Board oversaw the voting process.

The school serves 72 teachers and 388 students from pre-K through sixth grade and is located at 6923 Willow St. N.W. in Ward 4.

Sarah Magno, lead guide for first through third grade, expressed her thoughts on the unionization: “This union is a manifestation of this incredible staff community we have built and our desire to be partners with a voice in our school.”

Elena Ventura, lead guide for pre-K and kindergarten, added: “We did this together. This was a collective effort rooted in love—love for our work, our school and, most of all, our students.”

Jasmine Haddad also shared her perspective: “Standing together has been empowering. This step forward means we can build a stronger, more supportive environment for staff and students.”

Randi Weingarten, President of AFT—of which DC ACTS Local 1927 is an affiliate—remarked on the significance of the vote: “This vote shows that Breakthrough Montessori educators overwhelmingly want a union to improve working and learning conditions—for a strong, more stable school. Shared decision-making at the bargaining table and a real voice for educators will help make Breakthrough Montessori an enviable public charter school where teachers want to teach and families want to send their children.”

DC ACTS already represents educators at Mundo Verde Public Charter School with an existing collective bargaining agreement. They are also negotiating contracts with District of Columbia International School and Capital City Public Charter School.

Following this decisive vote by Breakthrough Montessori staff to unionize, Kelley Ukhun stated that DC ACTS anticipates working closely with their bargaining team to negotiate a fair contract reflecting the school's community values.