Hannah Brown
New York Teacher Reporter
Fight for RESPECT continues
Paraprofessionals fanned out across the city in January to sit down with City Council members to urge them to support a revised "RESPECT check" bill that would provide an annual check of no less than $10,000 to the educators whose ranks are suffering a severe crisis in recruitment and retention.
"Jewels” sparkle at Radio City
Middle school teacher Rachele Domond and paraprofessional Daquan Harris of the Catherine and Count Basie Magnet School for Multimedia and Performing Arts, in Jamaica, Queens, took on the roles of choreographers and proudly watched their middle school dance troupe make history as they joined the Rockettes on stage at Radio City Music Hall.
Turning hallways into happy places
Queens middle school teacher Laeticia Charles offers a sense of emotional connection and safety to the students she teaches in her second year at MS 137, elevating her students' academics in the process.
Parent conferences
More than 500 parents, caregivers and community members poured into UFT borough offices this fall for the UFT's annual parent conferences in each borough.
Thanksgiving luncheon and winter coat drive
Some 150 students living in temporary housing received coats and other winter gear at the UFT's annual Thanksgiving luncheon and coat drive, organized by the UFT Middle Schools Division.
Defending immigrant students
About 300 UFT members from schools across the city attended one of the union's immigration workshops in October and November. The sessions walked members through the steps to establish school-based committees to support and defend immigrant families.
Schools feel chill of ICE raids
The Trump administration's mass deportation agenda has triggered anxiety and absenteeism in New York City public schools. Yet despite the bleakness of the situation, educators remain committed to protecting their students and advocating for them.
UFT members say, ‘No kings’
Joining more than 7 million protesters nationwide, more than 200 UFT members marched up Sixth Avenue alongside members from other New York City unions as part of the No Kings March in Manhattan on Oct. 18.
Change for the better
Paraprofessional Unique Robinson of Murrow HS in Brooklyn acted quickly to advocate for a solution when presented with the need to safely and comfortably meet the toileting needs of her paraplegic student.
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.