Nearly 700 members of the Paraprofessionals Chapter turned out at the New York Hilton on March 23 to honor 15 of their colleagues for their heroic efforts in New York City's public school classrooms at the annual Paraprofessionals Festival & Awards Luncheon, which feted the "Superheroes of Education."

More than two dozen women educators were nominated by their peers and recognized for their inspiring efforts to serve their school communities at the union's fifth annual HERstory celebration.

The passion that educators bring to Career and Technical Education programs and their ability to light their students’ pathways to success were lauded at this year’s CTE Awards Recognition Ceremony.

The UFT’s Retired Teachers Chapter hosted a celebratory luncheon on March 6 to recognize 68 educators who have been union members for 50, 60 or more years. 


The 20th annual UFT African Heritage Committee’s awards dinner, held on Feb. 2 at Antun’s of Queens Village, was bigger than ever this year, befitting its landmark anniversary.

In presenting the Cogen Award to UFT Treasurer Debra Penny, UFT President Michael Mulgrew spoke of her compassion. “It’s the humanity she brings to her job at all times,” he said. “She’s just a person who never stops caring.”