Hannah Brown

Matthew Colacurto helps noncompensatory students on a second pathway to educational success as a teacher with Pathways to Graduation, a program for those for whom traditional high school does not fit for reasons including housing or food insecurity, or the need to work full-time.

The diligent advocacy of the UFT and OT/PT members has resulted in the city Department of Education finally implementing a long-delayed policy allowing occupational and physical therapists to work a voluntary ninth session for additional pay.

Educators at Flushing High School called on the UFT and took a stand when the principal initiated a program that resulted in isolating ELL students. Instead addressing students' learning and language issues, they were isolated in two windowless classrooms, apart from their peers, except for lunch and physical education. Educators raised objections immediately and then went to work to fight back.


More than 1,000 members and guests turned out to affirm the work of paraprofessionals at the annual Paraprofessional Awards Luncheon. A total of 16 honorees were recognized for their work supporting students across the city, with UFT leaders reaffirming their commitment to win passage of the RESPECT check legislation.

The shared themes between Passover and the labor movement took center stage at the UFT Jewish Heritage Committee’s annual Labor Seder at the UFT Brooklyn borough office where attendees shared in the traditional ritual meal.

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.

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.

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.

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.