Leigh Anderson
New York Teacher Senior Editor/Reporter
Brooklyn teacher dresses up like historical figures
During Black History Month and Women's History Month, this 2nd-grade teacher dresses up each day as a historical figure and teaches her students about that person.
UFT’s large and diverse ‘family’
Union leaders and representatives from the union’s private, nonprofit and Department of Education functional chapters gathered at union headquarters on Jan. 16 to kick off a new union initiative intended to showcase and amplify the work of members in the diverse titles and collective bargaining units in the UFT.
New telehealth benefit
The UFT has created a new telehealth benefit for members who are not eligible for city health insurance. UFT members who are substitute paraprofessionals, per-diem teachers and members of the union’s ADAPT Community Network Chapter can now access virtual medical care through the AllyHealth Telemedicine Program.
Working with related service providers
For the new classroom teacher, the sheer volume of related service providers in a school can be a little bewildering. But it’s important to get to know these colleagues and the services they provide to students with disabilities.
Celebrating students’ every victory
Chanisse Wade, a second-year social worker at Bronx Legacy HS in Mott Haven, strives to create a "culture of celebration" at her school. She publicly celebrates all student achievements, large or small — from high grades to good attendance to improvements in peer-to-peer behavior.
Thanksgiving Luncheon and winter coat drive
Nearly 180 children living in temporary housing gather at UFT headquarters for the union's annual Thanksgiving Luncheon. They enjoyed the dozens of activity tables and an early Thanksgiving dinner before leaving with a new coat, gloves and hat.
My therapy room
Nagella Al-Balushi, an occupational therapist at PS 340 in the Bronx uses the equipment in her therapy room to work on a variety of motor skills with students in a typical 30-minute session.
UFT launches new tool to navigate parental leave
This fall, the UFT rolled out a new interactive digital tool to simplify the task of determining how much parental leave an expecting parent can take.
‘Enough is enough’
The UFT Paraprofessionals Chapter launched a new RESPECT campaign at its Nov. 21 paraprofessional representatives meeting to demand that the Department of Education pay paraprofessionals more, value their work and uphold their rights.
Solar panels on city schools get green light
The UFT celebrates passage by the City Council of a bill mandating rooftop solar panels for all public buildings, including public schools. UFT Vice President for Middle Schools Richard Mantell says the legislation will result in healthier environments for educators and students.