Cara Matthews
New York Teacher Senior Editor/Reporter
Ensuring ‘All Are Welcome’
Lisa Friscia, the 2022 Elementary TESOL Teacher of the Year, has helped build a strong and vibrant ENL instructional practice at PS 39 on Staten Island that engages and empowers English language learners.
Turning a page at Queens school
The library at Bard Early College in Long Island City, Queens, is getting a makeover to make it more accessible for students with disabilities, thanks to a partnership between Jessica deCourcy Hinds, the school’s library director, and students in the school’s Abled-Disabled Alliance.
New Retiree Luncheons 2022
More than 1,400 members gathered at the New York Hilton Midtown for two New Retiree Luncheons in November to celebrate their service to the city's public school students and the new chapter in their lives.
Middle School Anti-Bullying Conference
Roughly 500 students and educators attended the UFT’s Middle School Anti-Bullying Conference on Oct. 25 at union headquarters, where they learned strategies to identify and prevent bullying and become ambassadors for their schools.
Learning about topics from genealogy to guitar
Thousands of UFT retirees participate in hundreds of Si Beagle Learning Center courses, seminars, trips and dine-arounds each year.
Teacher Union Day 2022
UFT members showed up in force for Teacher Union Day on Nov. 6 to recognize their colleagues' dedication to the union and to unite in solidarity to face the battles ahead.
Exercise for the brain in Manhattan
Word of mouth is the reason many retirees find their way into the Manhattan Section's Si Beagle classes, which are offered online and in person, and again include “dine-arounds,” walking tours and museum trips.
Retirees ease back into in-person events
For the first time since the pandemic began, retirees in September had the option of attending the RTC general membership meeting in person at UFT headquarters and are easing back into in-person events while keeping Zoom options open.
Making a difference for returning soldiers
Chester “Chet” Edwards, a retired New York City public school teacher and decorated veteran, volunteers his time helping his fellow veterans return to civilian life after serving in the U.S. military.
Manhattan legislative reception
UFT President Michael Mulgrew and UFT Manhattan Borough Representative Carl Cambria welcomed elected officials to a legislative reception on Oct. 6 at UFT headquarters.