Category Archive
Enroll in TRS for a secure retirement and moreNov 06, 2008
All newly appointed teachers should be getting a terrific pre-holiday package in the mail by early December — a welcome and enrollment kit from the Teachers’ Retirement System.
Involvement with schoolwork at homeOct 09, 2008
Parent involvement is a sure bet for raising student achievement — and it doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming.
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR NEW TEACHERSOct 09, 2008
The union is always reaching out to new teachers. Here are some events you shouldn’t miss.
This union works with parentsOct 09, 2008
The union’s award-winning Dial-A-Teacher program offers homework help to students and parents. With more than 1 million calls, it has become a national model for homework help.
Open School Week: Time to reach out to parentsOct 09, 2008
If you are looking to strengthen the home-school partnership, you’ll have a good opportunity soon.
Teacher Center support series a hitSep 25, 2008
Hundreds of brand-new teachers, hungry for helpful advice, flocked to the UFT to attend the citywide launch of "Especially for New Teachers: The Road to Success."
P credits Another way to earnSep 12, 2008
The UFT is always looking for better ways to provide members with the professional development they want at minimal cost. That’s why the union negotiated a professional studies program — P credits, for short.
UFT shows new teachers a good — and informative — timeSep 12, 2008
An open house at UFT headquarters and a reception at a nearby museum on Aug. 25 capped the union’s successful summer series for new teachers.
First things firstSep 12, 2008
Beginning teachers can quickly get overwhelmed by a growing “to do” list of classroom plans as well as forms and technicalities that go with the job. “The newer teacher” pages in each issue of the New York Teacher will help you prioritize and keep track of what needs to be done.
New teachers ‘thrilled,’ ‘excited’ — and ‘terrified’Sep 12, 2008
A full house of new teachers gathered at Lincoln Center on Aug. 25, where they were welcomed by the union and the DOE. UFT Secretary Michael Mendel told them, "The overwhelming majority of our schools are wonderful places to launch an incredibly rewarding career as a New York City public school teacher, and your union and your employer are in complete agreement about wanting you, and your students, to succeed.”
Union series gives new teachers head startAug 11, 2008
As the city’s newest teachers prepare for their first classes, the UFT is reaching out to de-mystify the path ahead and provide answers to their questions to help ensure their success.
Teach for America recruits learn professionalism, unionism go togetherAug 07, 2008
UFT President Randi Weingarten welcomed 500 new Teach for America recruits into the profession by giving them a crash course on flying high as educators in a usually rewarding but always challenging environment.
Weingarten to fellows: The union is on your sideAug 07, 2008
At the June 16 New York City Teaching Fellows 2008 Welcoming Event, UFT President Randi Weingarten’s promise to the more than 1,500 aspiring educators packing Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center elicited a roar of cheers and applause.
Staying informedAug 07, 2008
Where can you go to find information and news that affects you and your teaching career? A good place to start is the union’s Web site, www.uft.org, and its biweekly newspaper, the New York Teacher.
Union benefits really add upAug 07, 2008
As a UFT member, you have an outstanding package of health and Welfare Fund benefits that add thousands of dollars to the value of your salary.
How to read the salary chartAug 07, 2008
The UFT salary schedule allows you to see how you can earn more money — thousands of dollars more each year — as you get credit for time on the job and as you earn more academic credits.
Mentoring: It’s your rightAug 07, 2008
If you are a first-year teacher who has not had prior teaching experience, you are entitled to one-to-one mentoring throughout your first year.
P credits: Another way to earn differentialsAug 07, 2008
The P credit program offers teachers and school secretaries opportunities for low-cost professional development courses and/or activities approved by the chancellor.
How much will I earn?Aug 07, 2008
Over the years, the union has had considerable success in raising salaries to professional levels, with higher earnings for newcomers and a top salary that reached over $100,000 in May 2008.
Paycheck problems? Tell the UFTAug 07, 2008
If you experience serious delays or foul-ups in getting paid correctly, the UFT is there to help.
What the UFT contract means for youAug 07, 2008
The contract is a negotiated legal agreement between the United Federation of Teachers and the New York City Department of Education that provides you with rights and protections you could not depend on without it.
Take care of business — then have a relaxing summerJun 05, 2008
The school year may be nearly over, but you may have some business to do before you leave for the summer — or before you return in the fall.
Maintain professional files at homeJun 05, 2008
Would you be able to put your hands on the documents you need to prove that you passed all your state exams and completed your required courses and credits?
BINGO!May 22, 2008
New teachers gathered at the UFT Staten Island borough office on May 1 to compete in a Bingo tournament.
TDAs reduce your taxes and build your financial futureMay 22, 2008
Looking for an easy way to save on taxes and strengthen your financial future?
TRS: Thousands of newer teachers missingMay 22, 2008
Tens of thousands of newer teachers may be missing out on some valuable benefits and important protections because they have not enrolled in the TRS or provided TRS with other vital information.
5-year longevity pay to startMay 08, 2008
For the first time starting on May 19, newer teachers will be eligible for a longevity payment after five years of service in the New York City school system
Thinking of switching schools? Check your optionsMay 08, 2008
If you’re looking for a change for any number of reasons, you may find what you are looking for through a number of options available this year.
Tenure process is kept fairApr 24, 2008
Newer teachers can heave a sigh of relief because the UFT successfully fought back relentless attempts by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Chancellor Joel Klein to tie teacher tenure not to what you teach, or whether you can teach, but to the once-a-year standardized test scores of your students.
Union is ready for newer teachers’ changing needsApr 14, 2008
Is teaching your second career? Does your spouse’s new job require you to move away from New York City at least temporarily? Did you start teaching one subject and then decide to change to another?
Looking to transfer? Here’s your chanceMar 26, 2008
If you are interested in switching from your current school to another school, you have the opportunity to participate in this year’s Open Market Transfer Plan.
Tax-time tips with union helpMar 17, 2008
Getting ready to prepare your tax return? Keep these pointers in mind.
Apply by March 30 for tuition reimbursement/loan forgivenessMar 13, 2008
Want a chance to offset your whopping educational expenses? The Teachers of Tomorrow (TOT) Program may give you that chance.
We are fam-i-ly!Feb 28, 2008
New teachers on Staten Island let their hair down and reveled in the fact that another Friday had rolled around at an Island bistro get-together.
How to get involvedFeb 14, 2008
While it’s hard for newer teachers to make time for many union activities — you’re already booked up trying to become proficient in the classroom and earning your full credentials — political action doesn’t have to take a lot of time.
New teachers have stake in political actionFeb 14, 2008
With a very exciting and important presidential campaign under way, young voters are taking a new interest in politics.
Union updates new counselorsJan 31, 2008
Nov 28, 2007 About 50 new counselors attended a meeting at UFT offices at 52 Broadway to get information on certification, salary step placement, differentials, the UFT Welfare Fund and pension information.
Unique opportunityJan 17, 2008
Randomly selected first-to-fifth-year teachers on Staten Island met with Randi Weingarten on Nov. 27 in the final “Conversations with the President” event Weingarten conducted in all five boroughs.
Working with an expired certificate? Act now!Jan 17, 2008
Are you working with an expired certificate? If so, you should have received a letter from the Department of Education — with a follow-up letter from the UFT.
Certification primer for new teachersJan 17, 2008
If you are confused about aspects of your state certification, you’re not alone.
High school musingDec 06, 2007
More than 100 new high school teachers attended a UFT reception that Manhattan Borough Representative Jerry Goldman described as “an opportunity to celebrate their newness and involvement in the union.”
Am I a TRS member?Nov 15, 2007
Not sure if you are a TRS member? Check your pay stub for a “TRS414(h)” deduction.
Report every incident immediatelyNov 15, 2007
Fortunately, the vast majority of schools do not have ongoing problems with violence. Still, for the UFT, every incident is serious.
If students fightNov 15, 2007
What should you do if students get into a fight? There are no hard-and-fast rules.
Keeping schools safe before the holidaysNov 15, 2007
With the holiday season approaching, teachers may find their students’ high spirits sometimes verging on high jinks — or worse.
Enroll in TRS now for a secure retirement and morNov 15, 2007
All newly appointed teachers should be getting a terrific pre-holiday package in the mail by early December.
How to involve parents with schoolwork at homeOct 18, 2007
Parent involvement is a sure bet for raising student achievement.
This union works with parentsOct 18, 2007
The UFT has a long history of working with parents. The union’s award-winning Dial-A-Teacher program offers homework help to students and parents.
UFT borough offices are at your serviceSep 20, 2007
With a UFT office in every borough, you have a convenient resource for accurate information, problem solving and professional support.
UFT Summer Series helps newer teachers quench ‘thirst for knowledge’Sep 06, 2007
The new teachers who came out for a series of UFT events exclusively for rookie educators — the New Teacher Summer Series — just prior to the start of school craved the insights and networking opportunities provided.
500 Teach for America rookies learn about UFTAug 09, 2007
About 500 Teach for America recruits packed the auditorium at St. John’s University in Queens on June 28 to hear UFT President Randi Weingarten explain what the union can do for them, what they can do to make it stronger, and generally what the union is all about and how it will fit into their lives.
Summer in the cityAug 09, 2007
To help new teachers begin their careers with a strong foundation of support and fellowship, the UFT has continued to expand its outreach through its summer series program.
Weingarten hails ‘fellow’ teachersAug 09, 2007
If imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, UFT President should have been at least halfway-flattered when Chancellor Joel Klein told more than 1,700 new teaching fellows in June that the Department of Education’s goal was “to make every school a school where parents want to send their children.”
What your end-of-year records and ratingsMay 24, 2007
At the end of each school year in June, teachers receive an Annual Professional Performance Review from their principals stating their attendance records and end-of-year ratings.
Certification: Taking care of businessApr 26, 2007
Now is the time to take care of some important business to make sure your state certification is on track.
High school reorganization: What you need to knowJan 18, 2007
High schools with semi-annual programs will be going through mid-year reorganization later this month, with the fall semester ending on Jan. 31 and the spring semester starting on Feb. 1.
Classroom management: Long-term strategiesOct 05, 2006
You’ve heard the UFT mantra “Teachers want what students need.” That’s certainly true about classroom management.
Find the 411 in UFT ‘Handbook’Oct 05, 2006
New teachers should be able to breathe easier now that they have a copy of the “UFT’s New Teacher Handbook.”
Fun, games — and an education in unionismSep 21, 2006
More than 500 new educators — some fresh out of college and others who have migrated from other careers and, in some cases, from other nations — attended the UFT’s new teacher reception on Aug. 31.
New teachers flock togetherSep 07, 2006
The UFT fed the humans at the Central Park Zoo and stimulated their minds during an Aug. 4 outing sponsored by the UFT’s New Teacher Advisory Committee.
Restlessness: A rite of spring? - Tips for keeping students on trackApr 27, 2006
With warm spring weather finally on the way, students with even a mild case of cabin fever may become restless.
Remind students about Dial-A-TeacherMar 16, 2006
For free help with homework, you can’t beat the UFT’s Dial-A-Teacher program.
Maximize your earningsFeb 02, 2006
While money isn’t usually the main reason people go into teaching, the UFT takes the bread-and-butter issue of wages very seriously.
Know your rights: Service and pension creditFeb 02, 2006
Forget about MasterCard and Visa! There’s a different kind of credit you may be eligible for — credit that can reduce your probation period or improve your pension.
