New York TeacherOctober 5, 2017
Volume LIX, Number 2
Cover Stories
Second lump-sum payment coming this month
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Because you have a union that fights for you, eligible members are entitled to be compensated for the two 4 percent raises that former Mayor Michael Bloomberg gave to members of some municipal unions in 2009 and 2010 but refused to give to public school educators and other city employees at the time.
When Bill de Blasio became mayor, he agreed to pay the money owed but said the city could not afford to pay it all at one time, so the UFT negotiated a contract that ensures UFT members will be made whole by 2…
Are you a constitutional convention expert?
The Nov. 7 ballot will ask New York voters if the state should hold a convention to rewrite its constitution. Take this quiz and test your knowledge about Proposal #1.
UFT helps nearly 7,000 avoid termination
Staff at the UFT Certification Department helps members navigate the certification process and rescues applications that are endangered because of bureaucratic oversights and other reasons.
Latest News
Three units vote to join UFT
The UFT scored three more organizing victories in the health care and nonprofit education sectors this summer.
Family fights for UFT-represented staff at preschool
Parents, shocked by high turnover and minimal wages at their daughter’s Brooklyn preschool went to bat for the beleaguered workers. Now, the UFT is trying to negotiate a first contract.
DACA end clouds DREAMer future
Fear and uncertainty have gripped immigrant students and UFT members registered with the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program ever since U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced in September the termination of DACA on March 5.
Looking classy!
As the 2017 school year got under way on Sept. 7, schoolyards and hallways were filled with tears and cheers, questions and answers, hopes and dreams.
Labor stands tall
As threats to workers’ rights multiply at the state and federal level, about 600 UFT members marched in the annual Labor Day Parade on Sept. 10 to show their support for the labor movement.
More in News Stories
Feature Stories
Three educators, one opening day
Meet the educators Allison Brown, community school director Community Learning Schools
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Allison Brown’s job is to help coordinate the school’s access to resources and partnerships that address our students’ needs. She got the ball rolling on opening day.
Read more Steve Burrell, school counselor and chapter leader PROSE
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For school counselor Steve Burrell, the first day was all about program changes and updating programs. Trying to balance the focus on academics, Bedford Academy HS staff will use the PROSE program to make school more fun by creating clubs and activities.
Read more Larissa Loua, 2nd-grade ICT teacher Positive Learning Collaborativ…
Larissa Loua, 2nd-grade ICT teacher
It was Larissa Loua’s first year in an integrated co-teaching classroom. On opening day, she led a restorative circle to help her students build community and learn how to trust each other — key elements of a Positive Learning Collaborative school.
Allison Brown, community school director
Allison Brown’s job is to help coordinate the school’s access to resources and partnerships that address our students’ needs. She got the ball rolling on opening day.
Member Spotlight
Chapter Leader Shoutout
Kudos to Andrea Frederick-Marsh, PS 140, the Bronx
PS 140 Chapter Leader Andrea Frederick-Marsh’s creation of the first consultation committee at her school in the Longwood section of the Bronx has quickly paid off in a stronger, better-informed chapter that is able to head off problems before they mushroom into grievances.
Around the UFT
Around the UFT
West Indian Day Parade
UFT members joined the colorful march through Crown Heights, Brooklyn, on Sept. 4 as an estimated 2 million spectators turned out for the 50th annual West Indian Day Parade to celebrate Caribbean culture.
You Should Know
You Should Know
Paras cannot be required to supervise lunchrooms
Paraprofessionals, including one-on-one paras, are entitled to a duty-free lunch period.
You Should Know
UFT Welcome Center opens at 52 Broadway
When UFT members arrive at union headquarters, the union wants them to feel welcome and wants them to receive top-notch service from their first interaction with the UFT. That’s why the UFT opened a Welcome Center in the lobby of 52 Broadway on Sept. 5.
You Should Know
Phone lines open for Dial-A-Teacher
The staff at Dial-A-Teacher, the UFT’s long-running homework help line, bring help and encouragement to students and parents struggling with homework assignments from 4 to 7 p.m. every Monday to Thursday when school is in session.
Secure Your Future
Don’t fall for the lies
On the proposal on the constitutional convention on the Nov. 7 ballot, we’re asking you to vote NO.
Opinions
VPerspective
On the front line of patient care
Advocating on behalf of its members, Federation of Nurses/UFT has been able to modify the patient-care surveys to reflect real work situations.
President's Perspective
Why your NO vote on Nov. 7 matters
A proposal rife with consequences for UFT members and their families is on the ballot on Nov. 7: whether or not to hold a constitutional convention in the state of New York. You must vote NO and tell your friends, family members and colleagues to do the same.
Opinion
United for DREAMers
These are anxious times for young people enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that gave 800,000 immigrant youths temporary resident status and protection from deportation.
Opinion
Certified victories
When most people think about the job security that comes with union membership, the first thing that comes to mind is protection of due process rights — making sure teachers get a fair hearing if they are threatened with losing their job for any reason.
Editorial Cartoons
Teaching Resources
Learning Curve
When Nest is best
The ASD Nest model is designed to “nest” children with autism in fully inclusive classrooms.
Research shows
Charters spend less on teachers
A national analysis of school staff expenditures finds that charter schools spend less on average per pupil on instructional salaries compared to public schools, and for-profit charters spend less than nonprofits.
Teacher to Teacher
Strengthening PD at your school
Here are some ideas for strengthening the professional learning community at your school.
Building Your Career
Building Your Career
An observation center filled with treasures
Our observation center is filled with treasures from around the world.
New Teacher Articles
The UFT is here to provide wide-ranging support
The UFT is here to protect the rights of new teachers and support them in their new careers. Whether you have a specific issue you need help resolving or you’re seeking broader support, the UFT is here to help.