A roomful of educators, eyes closed, breathe in time to the sound of Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 — one of many music-based mindfulness techniques learned in a MindUp for Music workshop at UFT headquarters on May 16. This school year, 60 schools are piloting MindUp’s evidence-based social-emotional learning curriculum, thanks to a partnership between the union and the organization. This workshop, led by musicians and educators from Mozart for Munchkins, was part of the MindUp training and support available to a broader cross-section of UFT members. “Kids relate to music,” said Debbie Fiallo, a 3rd-grade teacher at PS 100 in Queens. “Whether a student is in special education, an English language learner and/or in a gifted program, music is a common thread.” UFT Vice President for Education Mary Vaccaro, who spearheaded the partnership, said MindUp is a “meaningful way for the union to provide social-emotional support” to students after COVID-19.