Hannah Brown
New York Teacher Reporter
Waitlisted and worried
The union launched a #StartStrong campaign this spring after Mayor Eric Adams failed to restore $170 million in mid-year cuts he made to 3-K and pre-K. The campaign is pushing the city to restore funding for 3-K and pre-K seats in the city budget, reassign 3-K and pre-K seats to neighborhoods where they’re needed, and invest in marketing so families know that early childhood education is available and how to apply.
Lunar New Year Banquet
Some 350 guests were treated to fiery lion dancers and a delicious traditional Chinese meal as the UFT Asian Heritage Committee hosted its annual Lunar New Year Banquet. Marian C. Thom, the founder and longtime chair of the committee, was honored.
The importance of being ‘seen’
Educators' extra efforts working collaboratively and leading their students at Francis Lewis HS in Queens paid off with an extra special Black History Month celebration featuring a number of high-profile speakers, including film director Malcolm Lee and actor Siddiq Saunderson.
Celebrating 10 years of DASA training
Ten years ago, the UFT saved the jobs of 10,000 members by providing training on combating discrimination, bullying and harassment in schools The six hours of training was required by the then-new state law, the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA), for teachers, paraprofessionals and school clinicians to maintain their state certification. Many of the trainers, past and present, came together on Feb. 8 to mark the anniversary.
Find your tribe
UFT members have an opportunity to connect with like-minded colleagues on a deeper level, thanks to a unionwide invigoration of UFT professional committees and a new enrollment process that makes it much easier to participate.
HERstory celebration
More than two dozen women educators were nominated by their peers and recognized for their inspiring efforts to serve their school communities at the union's fifth annual HERstory celebration.
MindUP professional learning with Goldie Hawn
The 160 teachers and paraprofessionals who gathered for a day of professional learning on MindUP heard from the organization's founder, Goldie Hawn.
Queens swim coach saves drowning student
“Twenty eyes are better than two” is a refrain that swim team members at John Adams HS in Queens hear from their coach, physical education teacher Alex Navarrete, encouraging them to watch out for one another’s safety. They found out how true it is one afternoon in December 2023 when their attentiveness helped Navarrete save a teammate’s life.
A ‘sense’ of what some students need
The Sensory Exploration, Education and Discovery (SEED) program at PS 171 in Queens takes place in a special room with a rock-climbing wall, a brightly colored tunnel to crawl through, a swing and trampoline. These components are powerful tools to address sensory needs in children with autism spectrum disorders, ADHD or other sensory and self-regulation issues that qualify them for occupational therapy.
Enrollment drive saves Harlem school’s funding
When PS 30, a United Community School in Harlem, found out in early October that it was going to lose $285,000 due to low enrollment, it decided to take the initiative and find 30 more students. By the end of October, PS 30 had 76 new students — more than double its goal — and now a budget increase of $85,000.