New York TeacherMarch 3, 2016
Volume LVII, Number 7
Cover Stories
What a Difference a Union Makes!
For Patricia Ginestri, it meant the difference between isolation and support. For Cassandra St. Felix, it meant getting her job back. And for Gloria Winograd, it meant life-saving health benefits as she tackled Stage 4 cancer. Read their stories and more.
UFT launches campaign to promote union pride and power
The UFT launched its Union Loud and Proud campaign at the Feb. 3 Delegate Assembly in response to the relentless attacks by right-wing billionaires on teachers unions and the rest of organized labor.
‘Right to Work’ is anything but that
A victory for Friedrichs would effectively turn every state into a “right-to-work’’ state. And that wouldn’t be good for workers, including teachers.
Collaborative model shows promise
New state regulations governing English language instruction inspired the UFT with the support of the UFT Teacher Center and the District 20 superintendent to create the model, which was launched this year in five District 20 schools that were struggling to support their English language learners.
Latest News
Wisconsin guts civil service laws
Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin and the Republican-dominated Legislature in February dismantled the state’s civil service system, eliminating job-applicant exams, centralizing hiring decisions and removing protections or “bumping rights” for senior employees during layoffs.
‘A horrific day’ for labor in West Virginia
The West Virginia Legislature overrode a veto by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin on Feb. 12 to become the nation’s 26th right-to-work state.
DC schools overhaul teacher evals and training
The District of Columbia Public Schools, led by Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson, will introduce a new system of training and evaluating teachers in the fall that is expected to set the agenda for similar changes in schools around the country.
AFT sues Detroit schools over decrepit conditions
Mold, rodents and water-damaged ceilings were among the unsafe classroom conditions cited in a recently filed lawsuit against the Detroit Public Schools by the American Federation of Teachers-Michigan, the Detroit Federation of Teachers and parent groups.
LA teachers say yes to higher dues to fight back
Members of the Los Angeles teachers union voted on Feb. 10 to raise their annual dues.
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Feature Stories
A secure retirement... a reason to be Union Loud and Proud!
[[nid:94582; undefined; styleName:photo_full_node_2]] THE AVERAGE UFT MEMBER
A defined-benefit pension: A UFT member who retired in 2015 with 30 years of service received an average pension of $70,000. This is guaranteed annual income for life, not subject to the fluctuations of the stock market and safeguarded by the state constitution.
Retiree health benefits: Retirees receive a basic city health plan plus supplemental healthbenefits from the UFT Welfare Fund plus reimbursement of Medicare Part B premiums plus Supplemental Health Insurance Plan benefits for a nominal fee.
Additional savings: Over 70 percent of UFT members enrolled in the Teachers’ Retirement Systemare socking away additional savings in a Tax-Deferred Annuity savings account. The average retiree TDAaccount is $357,000. The Teachers’ Retirement System invests this money so these accounts are secure, int…
On target
The archery team at the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism in Brooklyn won last year's state championship under the guidance of coach Udi Hazan.
Tiny dancers learn big lessons
“I feel like I’m making dancers,’’ dance teacher Rashamella Cumbo says of her 4th-graders, most of whom she has taught since kindergarten, at PS 191 near Lincoln Center. But by all accounts, she’s doing much more.
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Member Spotlight
What I Do
What I Do: Peter Chang, hearing education related-service provider
For 13 years, Peter Chang has worked as a Hearing Education Related Service provider, helping hearing impaired and profoundly deaf students in Manhattan schools find their voices.
Around the UFT
New York City Braille Challenge
Vincent Pedulla is nothing short of rhapsodic when talking about the beauty of braille.
Queens District 75 Passion and Promise dinner dance
Twenty-six dedicated paraprofessionals with between 29 and 45 years of service were honored at a Promise and Passion dinner dance at the UFT’s Queens borough office.
CTE at the Core conference
The UFT kicked off Career and Technical Education Month on Feb. 1 with CTE at the CORE: Helping Students Map Their Futures, a conference at union headquarters in Manhattan.
UFT Men in Education seminar
Bronx resident Ricardo Ramos has five great reasons for having attended the UFT Men in Education seminar, titled A Symposium Dedicated to Promoting Male Involvement in Education.
UFT member named Most Valuable New Yorker
The Municipal Credit Union has named Joseph Usatch, a social studies teacher at IS 311 in East New York, the Most Valuable New Yorker for his charitable work on behalf of the UFT. Usatch received his award during the first time out at a St. John’s University basketball game in Madison Square Garden on Jan. 31.
You Should Know
You Should Know
NYSUT journal seeks articles on content-area instruction
The 10th volume of NYSUT’s academic journal Educator’s Voice is seeking proposals for articles that showcase best practices in content-area instruction, including integrated teaching. The deadline is June 13.
Opinions
President's Perspective
No time for complacency
It’s not clear how Friedrichs and the other cases that were on the court docket at the time of Scalia’s death will be decided. But one thing is certain: The anti-worker forces arrayed against us aren’t going away.
VPerspective
Our challenge is seeing our role in a broader way
CTE educators face a major challenge: seeing our role in a broader way. We don’t impart only practical skills and knowledge; we also teach math, science, English and the social sciences as we prepare our students for careers.
Opinion
Eyes on the prize
We began the school year with a campaign to celebrate New York City public schools and to honor the “Passion and Promise” our members bring to their work every day.
Opinion
The jobs of the future
Technology jobs are among the fastest-growing — and best-paying — jobs in the United States. But, incredibly, 9 out of 10 schools throughout the country do not offer computer science or coding courses.
Editorial Cartoons
Teaching Resources
Linking to Learning
Technology PD for teachers
Finding your own professional development in education technology from fellow educators may require more legwork but it will likely lead to a richer experience and increased knowledge.
Research shows
Early intervention in dyslexia is critical
A large achievement gap between children with dyslexia and typical readers is already present by 1st grade, making it critical to identify and provide effective interventions at the start of school, according to new research published in the Journal of Pediatrics.
Teacher to Teacher
3 strategies to prompt richer student discussion
My school has made a big push this year to encourage group work, collaboration and rich discussion among students. To that end, my school’s professional development team has introduced us to three innovative strategies.
Building Your Career
Building Your Career
Conducting cultural research
In February, my students read books and conducted research about the Chinese New Year.
New Teacher Articles
Ways to shake off the winter doldrums
With exams around the corner and summer still months off, March can feel like a trying time for new teachers and students. Here are some ideas to help you bring joy into your classroom.
Retired Teachers News
Reporting TRS distributions on your federal income tax
If you received one or more of the distributions listed below during 2015, you are required to report the total gross amount of the distribution in box 16a and the taxable amount of the distribution in box 16b on your 2015 federal income tax Form 1040.
Help enlighten our young members
Poor Johnny One Note’s reputation is probably just a little more elevated than Henny Penny’s “the sky is falling.” But in this instance, let’s pay tribute to Johnny’s persistence when it comes to the Friedrichs case.