New Teachers Get Involved
Mar 20, 2008 7:04 AM
UFT President, Randi Weingarten, speaks with new teachers about their concerns
What is the New Teacher Advisory Committee?
In January 2006 a central New Teacher Advisory Committee (NTAC) was formed to help our union leaders address the changing needs and expectations of new teachers in NYC. It was formed to involve our new members in “molding our UFT of the future.” (Randi Weingarten at first NTAC meeting, January 2006)
Since September 2006, we have been developing committees in the boroughs with a representative from each on a central committee. The role of the New Teacher Advisory Committee in the boroughs is to work with borough UFT leaders on the issues that will affect the quality of the first 5 years of our career.
What is our goal?
- Identify issues affecting new teachers in Brooklyn
- Improve communication so that new teachers can find what they need when they need it
- Identify ways to increase participation by new teachers in both Brooklyn and Central UFT activities and initiatives
What have we done?
- Suggested changes to the new UFT New Teacher Handbook - a guide to important information for new teachers
- Presented a series of fun and informative 2006 sessions for teachers just beginning their career in New York City public schools. Topics included: Pension and Welfare, Retirement, Safety, Class Trips (at the Central Park Zoo and Bodies Exhibit) each included a hearty lunch
- Hosted a party for all new teachers on the first day of the 2006 school year
- Reached out to Brooklyn’s new teachers at teacher socials in Brooklyn’s districts, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, and 23. (more to come)
- Held monthly committee meetings at the Brooklyn office since October 2006
- Designed a Central and Brooklyn UFT website with information that new teachers feel is most important
What can you do to help?
- Recommend activities and events that would support new teachers
- Recommend new teachers to be honored on the Brooklyn UFT New Teacher website
- Suggest resources (local, city, and national) that may be of interest to new teachers
- Recommend instructional resources that have worked for you
Please contact Bill Schror, wschror@ufttc.org, for more information.
Bill Schror & Katerina Slezinger
Brooklyn NTAC Co-chairs
