Rights and benefits

• Have you enrolled in the UFT Welfare Fund? The Fund provides your prescription drug, dental, optical and other benefits that supplement your New York City health plan — but this is separate from your health plan enrollment. To enroll with the Fund, simply go to www.uftwf.org and click on Enroll in the Welfare Fund on the top right. Then follow the instructions for sending in the required documentation. Save receipts for any prescription drugs you purchase so you can be reimbursed once your enrollment is processed. At the same website, you have access to all benefit information including optical and hearing aid certificates, dental forms and lists of our participating providers. If you don’t have access to the Internet, you can ask the UFT chapter leader at your school for a hard copy of the enrollment form.

Professional development

The UFT offers after-school workshops for teachers at every school level. Upcoming workshops include:

• Exploring Stress Reduction, which gives participants hands-on techniques for recognizing and defusing stressful classroom situations; Oct. 23, 4:30–6:30 p.m., Queens borough office.
• Tech Resources to Support Instruction, which explores free websites and technology resources for elementary school teachers; Oct. 22, 4–6 p.m., UFT headquarters.
• Classroom Management – Creating a Safe and Positive Environment, which helps middle school teachers learn how to build respect and tolerance with positive and effective management strategies; Oct. 22, 4–6 p.m., UFT headquarters.

To help you fulfill New York City Department of Education requirements for staff development and licensure, the UFT offers the following mandated workshops at a discounted cost:

• Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting
• The Needs of Children with Autism
• Violence Prevention

Online registration continues for P in-service courses. These courses offer a high-quality, convenient, low-cost alternative to college courses if you are looking for credits that may be applied toward both the first and second salary differential requirements and may be credited toward the 175 professional development hours needed to maintain professional certification. (However, P courses may not be used to meet New York State certification.) Check the listings at www.schools.nyc.gov/Teachers/aspdp to see which sections are still available or if new ones have been added. For further information, email aspdp@schools.nyc.gov or call 1-718-935-5753.

Especially for first-year teachers

• The UFT salary schedule allows you to earn more money as you spend more time on the job (in what are called steps) and as you earn more education credits (in what are called differentials). While you’ll automatically get pay increases based on steps, you must apply within six months for increases based on differentials. The DOE’s Salary Unit, now called the Office of Salary Services (OSS), uses a new online salary differential and step application process for all teachers. Applications, as well as eligibility requirements, can be accessed at the OSS website: http://schools.nyc.gov/teachersalary, or directly through the payroll portal: https://payrollportal.nycboe.net. You must have a DOE email address to access the online application. Once the online application is completed, the application must be printed, and transcripts still must be submitted to the DOE. Original transcripts along with the application are to be submitted to 65 Court St., Room 102, Brooklyn, New York 11201. It is strongly suggested that you either hand-deliver your application or mail it return receipt requested. Members will electronically receive a Certificate of Salary Status when the differential is processed.
• The UFT’s TeacherLine provides phone help for questions about certification and your New York City teaching appointment. Hours of operation: Monday–Friday, 4–6 p.m. For assistance you can also email TeacherLine at teacherline@uft.org or call 1-212-253-8800.