From prekindergarten teachers to paraprofessionals, more than 1,000 new members gathered at UFT borough offices in October and November for the chance to network with colleagues, meet their UFT representatives and get important information.

Image

Miller Photography

The meet-and-greet events, part of a unionwide effort to support new members, gave educators the opportunity to hear from UFT President Michael Mulgrew and Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña, both of whom dispensed advice and answered questions.

Image

Miller Photography

“You can’t do this alone,” Mulgrew told an audience of more than 200 members in the Bronx on Oct. 29. “We need to approach education as a team effort, not an individual effort. You have to ask for help.”

Fariña stressed the importance of staying refreshed, telling the crowd at the Manhattan event on Nov. 6, “You need to be facing new challenges to be energized as a teacher.”

Image

Miller Photography

Before and after the remarks by Mulgrew and Fariña, members had the opportunity to visit informational tables to ask questions and collect materials about their benefits, salary, certification and more.

“I got a lot of information,” said Claudia Roberts Wagner, an art teacher at PS 107 in Brooklyn. “Carmen Fariña’s tips about teaching were invaluable.”

Image

Jonathan Fickies

Teachers appreciated the opportunity to ask questions about special education, teacher evaluation, tenure and other concerns.

Image

Jonathan Fickies

“I learned a lot from the questions that were being asked,” said Ismaila Camara, a special education teacher at PS 811 in Brooklyn, who attended the Manhattan event. “It shows that everybody is going through the same situation.”