Union Leadership

President

Michael Mulgrew

Michael Mulgrew is the fifth president of the United Federation of Teachers, UFT, which represents 200,000 teachers, paraprofessionals, school secretaries and other professional staff in New York City public schools as well as home day-care providers, nurses, adult education instructors and retired members.

Secretary

Howard Schoor is secretary for the UFT. He earned his bachelor’s degree in American history from Brooklyn College and a master’s degree in education from Long Island University.

Treasurer

Melvyn Aaronson is the UFT treasurer. He is considered one of the nation’s leading authorities on pension matters and has made a lifetime commitment to building a secure retirement not only for UFT members but also for public employees across the country.

Assistant Secretary

LeRoy Barr is UFT assistant secretary and also serves as co-staff director, overseeing the daily operation of the union’s extensive field organization and both the pedagogical and non-pedagogical staff at its central office. As staff director, LeRoy plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the union operates at the highest caliber.

Assistant Treasurer

Miller PhotographyTom Brown Tom Brown is the assistant treasurer of the UFT and an elected trustee on the board of the Teachers’ Retirement System of the City of New York. As a trustee, he assumes the fiduciary duties with his fellow board members of overseeing the policies, funding and responsibilities of the retirement system to ensure that the benefits for contributors and beneficiaries remain strong.

VP for Elementary Schools

Karen Alford is vice president for elementary schools. Having distinguished herself with her strong union advocacy, Karen was selected as the UFT District 23 representative in 2005 and was elected to her current post three years later. Karen spearheads the union’s Community Learning Schools Initiative.

VP for Special Education

Carmen Alvarez

Carmen Alvarez is vice president for special education. Since her election to the post in 1990, she has been a key voice in the UFT’s efforts to improve education for children with disabilities. In 2013, Carmen spearheaded the creation of the Institute for Understanding Behavior.

VP for Education

Evelyn DeJesus is vice president for education. A skilled teacher and trained administrator, Evelyn served previously as the UFT’s District 2 representative and Manhattan borough representative. She is a forceful advocate for justice, unafraid to speak truth to power.

VP for Non-DOE Members

Anne Goldman is the UFT's vice president for non-DOE members, a newly created officer position in the union. A registered professional nurse, Anne was an early leader in the movement to win collective-bargaining rights for nurses in New York City.

VP for Academic High Schools

Janella Hinds is vice president for academic high schools. She also serves as secretary-treasurer of the New York City Central Labor Council. In her work at the UFT, Janella has championed equity for students and a more meaningful voice for educators.

VP for Middle Schools

Richard Mantell is vice president for middle schools. From 2006 to 2013, Richard served as district representative for Brooklyn’s District 18. As a district rep, Rich proved masterful at mobilizing union members for political action. He also gave extraordinary support to chapter leaders.

VP for Career and Technical Education High Schools

Sterling Roberson is vice president for Career and Technical Education. He has devoted thirty years of his public school career ensuring that New York City’s students receive a quality academic education with career-ready skills in a healthy and safe learning environment.