Breakthrough Montessori Teachers Vote Overwhelmingly to Form a Union

Breakthrough Montessori Staff Votes to Unionize with DC ACTS

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Teachers and non-supervisory staff at Breakthrough Montessori Public Charter School have voted in favor of forming a union under the DC Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff (DC ACTS). The decision saw more than 90 percent of eligible staff members supporting the unionization effort.

Kelley Ukhun, president of DC ACTS, expressed enthusiasm following the vote: “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 supervised the vote.

Breakthrough Montessori, located at 6923 Willow St. N.W. in Ward 4, serves 72 teachers and 388 students ranging from pre-kindergarten to sixth grade.

Sarah Magno, who leads the first through third-grade classes, shared 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, a 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 a lead guide for pre-K and kindergarten, stated, “Standing together has been empowering. This step forward means we can build a stronger, more supportive environment for staff and students.”

As an affiliate of the AFT, DC ACTS, Local 1927, represents educators and staff across several charter schools. AFT President Randi Weingarten commented on 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 staff at Mundo Verde Public Charter School, where a collective bargaining agreement is in place, and is negotiating first contracts with District of Columbia International School and Capital City Public Charter School.

With the unionization decision at Breakthrough Montessori, Ukhun stated that DC ACTS is eager to begin contract negotiations with the school’s bargaining team, aiming for an agreement that aligns with the values of the school community.