Here are some items to take care of right away and others that will help you prioritize and stay on track.
Miscellaneous
Thinking about transferring? The Open Market Transfer system on the DOE's Department of Human Resources website, which allows you to apply for a position at another school, is open until Aug. 7. Visit the Open Market Transfer page to fill out an application and search for open positions.
if you participate in the EFT direct deposit program, be sure not to close an account that is scheduled to receive your June, July or August paychecks.
You should receive your program for next year by the end of the school year. If you are a probationary teacher, it's important that you have an assignment in your license area; your tenure could be delayed if you teach out of license. You are entitled to one preparation period and a duty-free lunch period. If you teach middle or high school, you should be scheduled for no more than three consecutive teaching periods and four consecutive working assignments (e.g., including your professional period) in a day. Speak to your chapter leader if you have concerns about whether your program follows contractual guidelines.
If you plan to resign from the DOE effective Sept. 9 (the first day of school in the 2021–22 school year), you must give 30 calendar days' notice by submitting a letter of resignation by Aug. 10. According to the DOE, those employees who resign without providing 30 calendar days' notice will be given a problem code in their personnel file that will flag them for review should they wish to return to teaching in the future.
If you are a probationary teacher and your principal wants to extend your probation, you should know that you do not have to sign the extension immediately. You have the right to have one of the union's lawyers look it over. In fact, every extension of probation should be submitted to the UFT for a NYSUT attorney to review before you make the decision to sign.
If you have fulfilled your state certification requirements or are close to doing so, remember to apply online for your professional certificate. No certificate is issued automatically! Check your TEACH online account for the documents you need to submit together with your $100 application fee (reduced to $50 if you have a college recommendation). Make copies of everything before you send it in. Mail your packet "Return Receipt Requested" to the New York State Education Department and file the receipt with the copies of your paperwork. Since it takes time to process your application, it's a good idea to complete all your requirements early and apply at least six months before your time-limited certificate expires.
Over the summer, will you be getting married or having a baby? To cover new dependents, update your personal information. Both the UFT and the DOE require you to submit supporting documentation (such as a marriage license) if you are adding beneficiaries. Notify the UFT Welfare Fund by filing a Change of Status Form electronically within 30 days of the event. To notify the DOE, log on to your Employee Self-Service account.
A state law passed in early June gives superintendents the ability to grant tenure to probationary educators who, in their discretion, are eligible and qualified even if they didn't receive final ratings for the 2019-20 and/or 2020-21 school years.
Stay connected with the union over the summer! Sign up for UFT text messages on important news (such as the new school calendar) at www.uft.org/text and register for an account on the UFT website to receive informational alerts and invitations to union-sponsored events and workshops. Find us on Facebook, on Twitter at @UFT and on Instagram at @uftny.