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News for Paraprofessionals

Manhattan paraprofessionals meet and greet

Manhattan paraprofessionals meet and greet

About 60 paraprofessionals, including members in their first year and veteran paraprofessionals, gathered to network and meet their union representatives at the Manhattan Paraprofessionals Meet and Greet.

Give 'RESPECT check' a hearing

UFT demands Council speaker give 'RESPECT check' a hearing

The UFT has turned up the pressure on City Council leaders to bring the "RESPECT check" bill for paraprofessionals to a committee hearing and a vote. Forty-seven of 51 City Council members have co-sponsored the bill and more than 104,000 people have signed a petition in support of the legislation, but Council Speaker Adrienne Adams has not brought the bill to a committee hearing, which is a prerequisite for a vote.

A push for the ‘RESPECT check’ bill

A push for the ‘RESPECT check’ bill

At the UFT’s annual city legislative breakfast, 28 City Council members heard how critical an annual “RESPECT check” would be in reversing the paraprofessional shortage in schools. They also heard appeals from union representatives for continued city funding of Teacher’s Choice and UFT programs that benefit educators, students and families.

Money, power and respect

Money, power and ‘RESPECT’

More than 1,600 paraprofessionals and fellow UFT members came together from across the city on April 2 to call on the New York City Council to pass legislation to give paraprofessionals an annual “RESPECT check” of $10,000.

Taking stock in student's skills

Taking stock in students’ skills

Steven Leaderman, a teacher at P370, a District 75 program in Coney Island, has created an innovative vocational program that has his students sort and deliver school supplies. The program helps the students develop key vocational and life skills that will serve them after graduation. 

Showing their colors

Showing their colors

Thousands of UFT members wore blue to work in solidarity with their paraprofessional colleagues on April 2, which was national Paraprofessionals Appreciation Day and the union’s citywide Day of Action.