More than two dozen participants learned about making schools safer for and more supportive of LGBTQIA students on May 27 at the UFT Pride Committee’s virtual workshop on Gender-Sexuality Alliances.

Eight schools and 28 individuals were honored on April 29 at the UFT's annual Academic HS Awards ceremony, held virtually, while all educators were praised for their hard work and commitment this school year.

The UFT Family Child Care Providers Chapter held its eighth annual appreciation celebration on May 7. It was a day to honor providers and the work they have done to keep the city running throughout the pandemic.


In a four-hour We Feed NYC telethon on Feb. 13, the UFT raised more than $310,000 from its members and corporate donors to feed New York families struggling with food insecurity as a result of the pandemic. 

Meisha Ross Porter, the new schools chancellor, gave closing remarks at the UFT HERstory celebration on March 26, with the theme of Ceiling Smashing: Honoring Women’s History Month 2021.

The diversity of Irish Americans and Ireland was the focus of the UFT Irish American Committee’s first virtual meeting on Feb. 25. 

Early childhood educators have always strived to find the joy in learning. So it’s no surprise that even in this difficult school year, the more than 300 educators who attended the UFT’s annual Early Childhood Conference remotely on March 13 treasured the time they spent improving their practice and connecting with colleagues.

The 2021 UFT Career and Technical Education Awards recognized educators who have shown great ingenuity and perseverance while facing the unprecedented challenges created by the pandemic.

The UFT held a virtual legislative reception on March 11 to press Albany lawmakers for a large increase in education funding in the state budget to help city public schools address the needs of students recovering from the trauma of the pandemic.

The UFT organized four virtual mayoral town halls in February and March to give union members the opportunity to hear from 12 contenders to succeed Mayor Bill de Blasio, who cannot run for re-election.