The UFT family grew by more than 800 new teachers on June 17, as the Department of Education welcomed its newest cohort of New York City Teaching Fellows at an event at City Tech in Brooklyn. After welcoming addresses by Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza and UFT Vice President for Elementary Schools Karen Alford, the fellows were treated to student performances by the PS 55 step team, the Urban Assembly School for Applied Math and Science dance team and others. Current first-year teachers gave advice to the group. Alford, who spearheads the union’s New Member Initiative, extended a special invitation to the fellows to engage with the UFT. “The demands on your creativity, energy and frankly, your patience, will be considerable. The union is here to support and guide you throughout your career,” she told the group. Tamika Sealy, a fellow who hopes to teach English as a new language at the elementary or middle school level this fall, was eager to sign her UFT membership card as she headed out. “In any profession, you need people that will back you,” she said. “It’s great to see the support that we have coming in.”