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Sandy Scragg

New York Teacher Reporter

Parental Leave

UFT parental leave

The UFT in 2018 was the first municipal union in New York City to secure paid parental leave for its members. Parents of any gender may be eligible to take UFT parental leave following the birth, adoption or foster care placement of a child under the age of 6. This leave can be coupled with CAR days to extend the time new mothers have with a new baby. The following FAQ provides answers to the most-asked questions from members.
Hispanic in class

Career advancement opportunities for paraprofessionals

By accumulating college credits, paraprofessionals can significantly increase their pay. Whether your career path as a paraprofessional leads you to earn a bachelor’s degree or to earn a master’s degree and become a certified teacher, several UFT-backed programs provide professional and financial support. Read our FAQ to learn more about these career advancement opportunities.

tools to aid speaking

Tools to aid speaking and listening

There are excellent online audio and visual resources that speech improvement teachers and classroom teachers alike can use to help students develop their listening and speaking skills. These media-rich resources provide ways to listen to language and isolate specific sounds and words that may need attention.
Therapists’ strategies that teachers can use

Therapists’ strategies that teachers can use

Incorporating strategies used by occupational, physical and speech therapists into classroom teaching can not only greatly benefit students with disabilities, but can also improve learning for all students. And the more teachers normalize using these strategies, the more special needs students will feel included and supported.
Teacher's Choice

Using Teacher’s Choice

Teacher’s Choice, initiated by the UFT over 30 years ago, allows school staff members to exercise their professional judgment to purchase supplementary supplies and materials to improve the educational experience for their students. Here are answers to the most commonly asked questions about the program.  

Taking BRAVE steps to end bullying

Taking BRAVE steps to end bullying

Two factors have contributed to the increase in bullying in recent years: the pervasiveness of social media and lingering stress from the pandemic. But no matter the reason, the surge has prompted educators to address the issue more urgently. 

NYC mapping sites

Mapping out a path to learning

The latest online mapping tools can do much more than get us from point A to B. With features such as data collection and media integration, online maps can be used in the classroom to take student activities in completely new directions. 

MOSL

The rules regarding teacher evaluations

The following Q&A answers some of the most frequently asked questions about the teacher evaluation system for the 2024-25 school year.
A diagram of an online word web to assist students in improving vocabulary.

Build vocabulary with tech tools

Helping students expand their vocabulary is crucial. Technology tools can offer powerful support for vocabulary development by providing multiple methods to encounter, practice and learn new words.

Students take an exam and are blocked off from viewing each other's answers by union folders.

Teaching civics in every classroom

New York City’s Civics for All initiative, started in 2018, provides project-based and culturally responsive civics programs that prepare students to participate in democracy and become positive forces for change.