UFT Assistant Secretary Michael Sill was elected UFT secretary and elevated to director of staff, UFT President Michael Mulgrew announced at the Delegate Assembly on Feb. 11.

Sill replaces LeRoy Barr, who retired as secretary and director of staff on Feb. 1. Barr, who began his teaching career in Harlem in 1992, had been serving in the role as secretary since 2019. (Read a tribute to Barr's years of service.)

“I am honored and humbled to serve in this role, which I aspire to do while honoring the labor values of solidarity, fairness and inclusivity,” Sill said. “LeRoy’s departure has left enormous shoes to fill, and if I am to succeed, it will be because of the support and engagement of UFT staff and, most importantly, members.”

As secretary, Sill manages the union’s extensive field organization as well as the pedagogical and non-pedagogical staff at its central office. He also oversees the union’s daily operations and ensures that its chapter leaders, executive board and delegates to the conventions of the UFT’s state and national affiliates have the resources and training they need to successfully advocate for members.

Sill was elected assistant secretary in 2019. Prior to that, he had served since 2017 as the UFT’s director of personnel, payroll and special projects, guiding UFT staff in helping members navigate concerns regarding leaves, tenure, licensing/certification and other issues. He has been a leader for the union on initiatives including the implementation of the class size legislation, paid parental leave, new school hiring committees, Teacher’s Choice and the Absent Teacher Reserve. He is the UFT’s primary point of contact with the city Department of Education.

Sill began his career in New York City public schools in 2006 as an English language arts teacher at Automotive HS in Brooklyn’s Greenpoint section. He later transferred to Spring Creek Community School in East New York, Brooklyn, where he was a founding staff member and UFT chapter leader. In 2013, he accepted a full-time position with the UFT, specializing in personnel issues.

Sill received his bachelor’s degree in English from Northeastern University and his master’s degree in teaching from Pace University.