Learning to avoid the pitfalls

A roomful of new teachers, like Janelle Barclay (foreground) of PS/MS 27, Brooklyn, seem to be enjoying the event.

It was reaffirming for the union’s newest members to hear from UFT President Michael Mulgrew about how wiped out he was at the end of the school day as a new teacher, and to hear from UFT Secretary Michael Mendel how scared he was that first day years ago. Both veteran educators shared their stories at a boroughwide meeting on Oct. 29 at UFT headquarters held, in part, so that rookie educators — whether they work in the classroom or outside of it — need not undergo yesteryear’s sink-or-swim method of learning on the job.

On tap were the union's experts in different professional areas, including certification, salary, health and welfare, educator committees, pension and school safety. Mulgrew introduced himself with a talk about his beginnings and his goals as president. He updated members on the ramifications of budget cuts in education and other developments crucial to teaching in New York City. Then he opened the floor to questions and comments. Jeannette Downes, UFT new teacher liaison, reported that there was great interaction and that people stayed to the very end of the event, networking and getting as much information as they could. “One goal of the get-together was for our new members to meet colleagues they’ll know for a lifetime and to get to know their UFT officers and representatives on a first-name basis,” Downes said. “That way, when they come to the central office or their borough office, they’ll be home.”