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Union Leadership
President
Michael Mulgrew became the fifth president of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) in August 2009 and was elected to a full term by the UFT membership in April 2010. As UFT president, Michael has advanced the union’s commitment to transforming education in New York City and to elevating the role of parents and the community in governing our schools.
Read more about Michael Mulgrew >>
Secretary
Michael Mendel is secretary of the UFT. He attained his undergraduate degree from Brooklyn College and then earned a master’s degree in Educational Administration from New York University.
Read more about Michael Mendel >>
Assistant Secretary
Robert Astrowsky is assistant secretary of the UFT. He was born and raised in Brooklyn where he attended public schools including Brooklyn Technical HS. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Long Island University and his master’s from Hunter College.
Read more about Robert Astrowsky >>
Treasurer
Melvyn Aaronson is treasurer of the UFT. He has been actively involved in union affairs for more than 50 years, working with Al Shanker as one of the leaders of the strike in 1960 that established the UFT. Mel received his bachelor’s degree from Hunter College.
Read more about Melvyn Aaronson >>
Assistant Treasurer
Mona Romain is assistant treasurer of the UFT and has served as an elected trustee on the board of the Teachers’ Retirement System of the City of New York since 1998. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees and an Advance Certificate in Administration and Supervision from Brooklyn College and earned a certificate in Pension Funds and Money Management from Wharton School Executive Education Program, University of Pennsylvania.
Read more about Mona Romain >>
VP for Elementary Schools
Karen Alford is vice president for elementary schools. She received her bachelor’s degree from Tufts University and her master’s from the New York Institute of Technology.
Read more about Karen Alford >>
Email the Vice President for Elementary Schools
VP for Junior High and Intermediate Schools
Richard Farkas is vice president for junior high and intermediate schools. Rich received his bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College and his master’s from Queens College.
Read more about Richard Farkas >>
Email the Vice President for Junior High and Intermediate Schools
VP for Academic High Schools
Janella Hinds is vice president for academic high schools. She is a Brooklyn resident, a graduate of Princeton and New York University and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is a certified social studies teacher who worked eight years as a dean, student council advisor and conflict resolution specialist while teaching at public high schools in Brooklyn.
Read more about Janella Hinds >>
Email the Vice President for Academic High Schools
VP for Career and Technical High Schools
Sterling Roberson has devoted his entire public school career to ensuring that New York City’s students receive a quality academic education with practical skills, in a healthy and safe learning environment. He brings this lifelong commitment to the post as vice president for career and technical education (CTE) high schools, to which he was elected in September 2009.
Read more about Sterling Roberson >>
Email the Vice President for Career and Technical High Schools
VP for Education
Catalina R. Fortino is vice president for education and the director of the UFT Teacher Center, where her broad experience in professional development, curriculum, assessments and program development helps advance the teaching profession. Catalina received her B.S. in Early Childhood Education and her master’s degree in Special Education and Bilingual Education from Queens College. She also studied Curriculum and Teaching at Teachers College.
Read more about Catalina Fortino >>
Email the Vice President for Education
VP for Special Education
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. Carmen received her bachelor’s degree in Education for the Emotionally Disturbed, from City College and her master’s from Bank Street College in Bilingual Education, with a focus on learning disabilities.
Read more about Carmen Alvarez >>
