Cara Matthews

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.

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.

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.

Strength, resilience, solidarity, advocacy, leadership, dedication, compassion and an unwavering commitment to excellence—these were among the qualities celebrated at the Federation of Nurses/UFT’s annual Nurse Recognition Awards.
The celebration, held May 14 at UFT headquarters, commemorated National Nurses Month and brought together about 300 members and their guests to honor 25 nurses whose colleagues nominated them for going “beyond the call of duty,”

Fixing Tier 6, increasing state funding for public schools and boosting pay for early childhood providers were among the top priorities as about 1,000 UFT members and parents traveled to Albany on March 16 for the union’s annual Lobby Day.

Members were the true MVPs as some 4,000 traveled to Albany's MVP Arena to rally in support of Tier 6 reform. The rally marked the culmination of the UFT’s monthslong “6” days campaign, an escalating series of member actions designed to raise awareness and pressure state lawmakers to address the grave “injustice” of Tier 6.

UFT Assistant Secretary Michael Sill was elected UFT secretary and elevated to director of staff. He replaces LeRoy Barr, who retired on Feb. 1.

Retired special education teacher Hope Kirsch has turned her educational knowhow into a rewarding second act as a lauded special education attorney post retirement.

Tom Pappas, a “tough as nails” but kind educator and administrator who began teaching in 1957 and went on to serve as a district representative, borough representative, UFT assistant, UFT secretary, staff director and Retired Teachers Chapter leader, died on Feb. 13, 2026. He was 93.