It was an upbeat day at the union’s annual Spring Education Conference on May 7 at the New York Hilton where UFT President Michael Mulgrew assured the more than 1,600 educators and parents in attendance that there is “a changing dynamic in our profession.”

In a seismic shift from the years of teacher badgering and blame, the daylong conference featured the state’s top education leaders, the mayor, the city comptroller and the schools chancellor all vowing to support teachers and underscoring the importance of a strong teacher voice in education policy.

“We’re in this together,” said Regents Chancellor Betty Rosa at the morning Town Hall.

The conference also marked the culmination of a yearlong celebration of passion and promise in public schools. For participants, it was a chance to hone their professional skills at workshops on pertinent topics, to appreciate the accomplishments of career and technical education high school students whose work was on display in the vast exhibit hall and to hear from state and city education policy makers about the vital issues facing public schools today. The day was capped by the presentation of the union’s prestigious John Dewey Award to the Food Bank for New York City, which has worked in partnership with the UFT to fight hunger among students and their families in need.

Anthony Harmon, the UFT director of parent and community outreach, served as the master of ceremonies.

“After years of systematic efforts to dismantle public schools, we are moving in a good direction and making great strides,” said Mulgrew. “By reaching out to the community and addressing the impact of poverty on our schools, we have changed the political dynamic in our city. The public is on our side.”

To keep the momentum going, he urged educators to “work as a team in every school building because we are stronger when we combine our skills.”

Mayor Bill de Blasio said it’s time to turn the tables on the naysayers and “do things never seen before.” He vowed to support teachers in reaching “the audacious goal” of having all 3rd-graders reading at grade level in 10 years.

Citing a year of accomplishments marked by improved graduation rates, community schools now numbering 130 and the successful launch of a citywide full-day pre-K program, he congratulated the UFT and its members for standing strong against all the attacks on public schools and teachers. “You did not flinch,” he said. “I am honored to support you every step of the way as you uplift this city.”

Chancellor Carmen Fariña, in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, expressed her gratitude for what teachers do every day: calling parents to share praise or concern about their children, making time to meet with colleagues and creating excitement in their classrooms. She gave special thanks to teachers working in struggling schools, particularly the city’s renewal schools, “because they are not giving up on our kids.”

“Keeping the focus on kids is what our job is,” Fariña concluded. “Please continue. The kids need us, they deserve us, and we can do no less.”

In addition to de Blasio and Fariña, surprise luncheon speakers included City Comptroller Scott Stringer and AFT President Randi Weingarten, who called on educators to support Hillary Clinton for president.

Weingarten cited “the labor movement and public education as the two most important things that make America great and the two things we are fighting for right now.”