They may not wear capes and masks or carry shields, but the more than 25,000 UFT paraprofessionals in city public schools use their superpowers to nurture students, foster their academic and social-emotional growth and engage with families.

“Superheroes of Education: Celebrating Our Paraprofessional Powers” was the theme of the union’s annual Paraprofessionals Festival & Awards Luncheon held on March 23 at the New York Hilton in Midtown Manhattan.

Paraprofessionals show up to work every day with a “keen sense of what each child needs” and “ignite that spark” within students, Paraprofessionals Chapter Chairperson Priscilla Castro told the nearly 700 UFT members who attended the event.

“We never keep our paraprofessional superpowers to ourselves,” she said. “We will continue to unleash them in classrooms and communities, in union meetings, at rallies and whenever we are called to serve.”

The day was packed with workshops, a carnival and an awards ceremony honoring 15 paraprofessionals.

Calvin Chandler, who works with 4-year-olds at PS 628 in Brooklyn, received the prestigious Humanitarian Award. Being a paraprofessional at his school “has been the most fulfilling job,” he says he has ever had. “I love what I do.”

Chandler spoke about the importance of being respected and treated as a valued classroom educator.

Anissa Guadagno, a paraprofessional at PS 46 on Staten Island, said she was humbled to receive the award and “motivated to continue doing what I’m doing because obviously it’s appreciated.”

“I just love making a difference in my students’ lives, giving hugs and just being their constant,” she said.

“Those are my babies,” said honoree Ovell Levine of the kindergarten students he works with at PS 557 in Brooklyn. “They’re just full of energy and nonstop, and they keep me on my toes.”

The celebratory day started with breakfast and then a choice of four workshops.

Erica Berger

Brandon Alfred (center), a behavior specialist with the UFT’s Positive Learning Collaborative, engages the participants during the "Behavior Management: Healing-Centered Practices in the Class- room" workshop.

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Juelle Washington, a paraprofessional at the Urban Assembly Institute of Math and Science for Young Women in Brooklyn, was moved by watching a clip from the movie “Inside Out” in the workshop “Behavior Management: Healing–Centered Practices in the Classroom.” The scene contrasted two reactions to a character in distress — being dismissive and acknowledging the experience.

“It just made me think as an educator how I want to do the same with a student — acknowledge their experience because sometimes they don’t know how to express it,” she said.

Also during that workshop, which was run by staff from the UFT’s Positive Learning Collaborative, paraprofessionals were invited to write “I wish they knew” statements. The desire to be recognized for their hard work and dedication was a common theme. Examples included “I wish students knew how hard I fight for them” and “I wish my principal knew how hard I really work.”

When they weren’t in morning workshops, paraprofessionals could visit the carnival room and eat cotton candy, play games for prizes, get massages and manicures, receive a health screening and show off their dance moves.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew said at the luncheon that paraprofessionals have proven how integral they are in schools. “Our system cannot function without the paraprofessionals who every day are inside of the schools taking care of things that are way beyond their responsibilities,” he said.

Tujuana Worthen, who works with 4th– and 5th–gradersat PS 191 in Manhattan, said she appreciated the festival and awards luncheon because paraprofessionals often are not recognized. “This is a great event for us,” she said, “and we do deserve it because we work extremely hard.”