Cara Matthews
New York Teacher Senior Editor/Reporter
Giving the gift of happiness in retirement
Retired teacher Felicia Pecoraro of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, has turned personal heartache into a mission to give back and bring a bit of happiness to others as a volunteer at the gift shop at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Honoring the UFT’s longest-serving members
The UFT Retired Teachers Chapter honored those with 50 or more years of union membership at its annual RTC Luncheon.
Staying clear of fraudsters
Scam artists and fraudsters often prey on adults over 60, targeting their savings and good credit. UFT retirees learned tips from the city's Department of Aging to avoid being victimized.
Girding up for the good fight
UFT District 79 Representative
Patricia Crispino was among UFT members honored during this year's NYSUT RA. Crispino took home top honors as the year's Sandy Feldman Outstanding Leadership Award winner.
Making sense of money
11 New York City schools made the top 100 and a Queens teacher received the Outstanding Educator Award in a national ranking of schools that excel in teaching personal finance.
Union eyes ‘voucher’ fight
In the last Delegate Assembly speech of the 2025-26 school year, UFT President Michael Mulgrew extolled union victories on Tier 6 reform, Foundation Aid funding gains and more, while warning members about a coming battle over federal tax credits for donations to educational institutions, saying the measure opens the doors to school vouchers.
Making moves to boost mood
Whether it's creating a dance troupe of educators at JHS 157 in Rego Park, Queens, or a walking club at PS 4 on Staten Island, teachers are creating opportunities for joy and self-care for themselves and their colleagues.
Union schools city lawmakers
The UFT provided City Council members with education about the value of key union initiatives, including the paraprofessional RESPECT check bill, United Community Schools and the NYC Childcare Navigator during its annual legislative breakfast.
UFT vows to light a fire under DOE
The UFT has struck a deal with the city Department of Education to have some teachers compensated as much as $9,500 due to delayed compliance with state class size law mandates.
Men in Education conference
About 85 parents, educators and community members explored topics like healthy masculinity, implicit bias and relationship skills at the UFT’s Men in Education conference.