Getting Information

The New York Teacher

Every two weeks, we’ll mail you the New York Teacher, the union’s award-winning newspaper. Until you are on our membership mailing list, ask your chapter leader for a copy.

The paper reports on developments — educational, political, economic and social — that affect New York City teachers. (A state edition is enclosed in the centerfold.) Our newspaper paints a vivid portrait of the work that UFT members do in our schools day in and day out. Regular features include:

“The Newer Teacher” section (TNT), filled with the specific information that new teachers need, including a checklist of reminders.
Ads for UFT conferences, coaching sessions and other professional development programs sponsored by the Teacher Center. Look for special registration coupons..
“UFT Calendar,” listing upcoming workshops and meetings.
“Just for Fun” providing discounted entertainment opportunities and trips to regional points of interest. Mail in the coupon for items that interest you.
“Grants, Awards and Freebies” listing education-related grant opportunities. Many teachers — including those in their first years on the job — have funded class or school projects by writing grant proposals.
Three times a year (fall, spring and summer) we’ll mail you a special educational supplement listing Teacher Center courses that you can take to meet certification requirements (see page 38) and increase your salary by earning differentials.

UFT Online

At www.uft.org you will find breaking news, UFT publications, your UFT contract, Welfare Fund forms and more. Through our Web site, a click of the mouse will connect you to:

A section devoted entirely to new teachers. There you’ll find information about certification, licensing, classroom management, union programs that support new teachers and features drawn from our newspaper’s Newer Teacher (TNT) page. And to help you in the classroom, we’re gathering links to Web sites useful for lesson-planning, motivating students and solving common classroom problems.
In addition to the Newer Teacher section other sections are devoted to news and issues — including statements by union officers and press releases on current issues — as well as sections for parents, member services, functional chapters and others.
Information about citywide and boroughwide instructional networks, conferences, seminars and summer institutes sponsored by the Teacher Center, the UFT’s professional development arm, at www.ufttc.org.
A searchable UFT contract, where you can find salary schedules and specific contract provisions.
A variety of union publications covering such subjects as workplace stress, financial matters, school safety issues, health services, pregnancy and childcare benefits and others.
News, columns and features from the New York Teacher.
The Welfare Fund area at for forms or information, such as the names of participating dentists and optical services by ZIP code.
Everything you should know about pensions and other financial matters at www.uft.org/ member/money.
Even a link to the UFT blog, Edwize.

Special Resources

Members with Disabilities

Are you “capably disabled” — that is, do you have a current or prospective disability and require a “reasonable accommodation” to perform your assignment well?

The UFT Committee for Members Who Are Capably Disabled provides a forum and services to protect the rights of working members with visible and invisible disabilities, or with prognoses that leave them expecting to be disabled in the future.

The committee convinced the school system to hire a disability rights coordinator to ensure that medically approved accommodations are implemented and to investigate complaints of alleged discrimination based on disability.

See HelpLines for contact information.

Health HelpLines

If you have cancer, HIV/AIDS or another health-related problem, the UFT’s HelpLines may be able to help with

Planning a medical leave of absence.
Advocating for services delayed or denied.
Caring for a frail, elderly parent.
Finding a marriage or family counselor or support group.
Locating a substance abuse treatment program.

The HelpLines’ social worker and peer counselors provide a “listening ear” and practical, savvy assistance in finding resources and services within the union and your community.All conversations are strictly confidential.

Lesbian and Gay Issues

Be it discrimination or harassment on the job, or questions relating to health and other benefits, the UFT’s Lesbian and Gay Teachers Association tackles human rights and other concerns specific to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members.

Confidential assistance is available by calling 1-212-598-9279 Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.

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