Special Education Committee

Chaired by UFT Vice President for Special Education Carmen Alvarez, the union’s Special Education Committee provides a forum for special education teachers and related service providers to meet with UFT staff and Department of Education representatives who work in special education. We hope that by providing this space we will both help members perform their very important duty of educating our neediest children and keep them engaged in the life of our union and profession.

Our members include special education and general education teachers, paraprofessionals, and related service providers from every job title. We work in all of New York City’s public schools, at all levels, and in District 75, too. We hope you will join us!

The committee hosts approximately four meetings each year at which specialists present on a wide array of issues of interest to our members. Past topics have included mandate relief, the DOE’s recurrent reorganizations of special education services, and the “New Phase I Special Education Initiative,” among others. Our speakers include prominent figures in both labor and education, including NYC DOE directors, State Education Department representatives, and officers and staff from both NYSUT and the UFT.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew also visits us toward the end of each year to discuss the state of our union.

Our meetings are meant to help you. Union leaders and staff take time at them to answer your individual questions about special education policies, best practices, and any other related subject – so we hope you will come ready to test our knowledge!

Please complete the membership enrollment form below to join the UFT’s Special Education Committee today!