After years of advocacy by the UFT, paraprofessionals will be included in the Teacher’s Choice program for the first time this school year.

“We have fought with the DOE for many years to have our paras included in Teacher’s Choice,” said UFT President Michael Mulgrew at the union’s Delegate Assembly on Oct. 11. “We are glad we finally won this change. We will keep fighting to get higher reimbursements for all our members.”

The DOE delayed the release of this year’s Teacher’s Choice allotments as school officials finalized headcounts and recalculated how much each job title would receive based on the addition of paraprofessionals, Mulgrew said.

The city budgeted $20 million for the program this school year, the same as the previous two years.

Teacher’s Choice reimburses educators for out-of-pocket spending on supplemental supplies and materials. The purchasing period runs from Aug. 1, 2023, through mid-January. To receive reimbursement, UFT members must submit receipts as proof of purchase along with a DOE statement of purpose/accountability form.

The DOE will deposit the Teacher’s Choice allotments in the last November or first December paycheck.