I want to thank you for your hard work. As educators, you get rightfully frustrated knowing that you could accomplish more if you only had the right tools and more support. But as another school year draws to a close, it’s a good time to look back and consider all that you’ve accomplished with your students and the strides they’ve made this year. Likewise, as president of your union, I am reflecting on the strides the UFT and its members have made this year in the face of significant challenges.

Our Celebrate Schools campaign, in print and social media, shared the success stories that are too often ignored and gave us the opportunity to highlight the hard work and sacrifices that our teachers make on behalf of students every day. We won’t let up. In this noisy, 24-hour news cycle, we are as determined as ever to get the word out about all the amazing things happening in our public schools. 

One of the UFT’s proudest innovations — the Community Learning Schools Initiative — gained more supporters, in both Albany and Washington, D.C. Policymakers are coming to understand what we have always known: The toll of poverty, homelessness and hunger on many of our students has a significant impact on classroom learning. We now have 28 community learning schools that are providing students with the social and academic supports they need to thrive.

In the city’s 126 PROSE schools, we are charting a new course, giving teachers the flexibility they need to deliver the best education possible for their students. Our members are stepping up with innovative thinking on issues from how to increase student diversity to restructuring the school day. This is a collective effort that requires a strong culture of collaboration between classroom educators and administrators. 

This year we also gained new job protections for our 28,000 paraprofessionals and a new Lead Teacher Assistant position that gives paras the beginning of a professional career ladder. These changes are part of our ongoing effort to make sure schools respect members in every job title in the classroom. 

Both city and state policymakers are listening to what teachers have to say about what works. We will continue to seize the moment to make sure teachers’ voices are heard wherever policy is made that affects you and the work you do. 

In Albany, we had the best legislative session we’ve had in awhile. We won an increase of $1.4 billion in school aid statewide, including $525 million for New York City schools. Ensuring that our schools have the funding they need is an ongoing battle — we’ll be back in Albany next year to continue to demand that the state fulfill its funding commitments under the settlement of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit. Meanwhile, chapter leaders need to make sure their principals spend wisely the additional money that will flow into school budgets. Your principal may say there is no extra money in the school budget next year; it’s simply not true. 

Those who oppose public education and teacher unions had major setbacks this year. In March, after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 4-4 ruling in the Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association case, affirming the ruling of the lower court and upholding fair-share fees for public sector unions. And in April, an appellate court in California overturned the Vergara decision that eliminated teachers’ due process rights. 

But the threats against us remain. Electing Hillary Clinton president is critical to ensure a high court sympathetic to working people and public school educators. Those who want to defund public education and destroy unions will not rest, and neither can we. Events in Chicago and Detroit, where the public schools are underfunded and under siege tell us we cannot be complacent. 

We will never stop fighting for what’s right — for our members and for our students. Our Union Loud and Proud campaign has reminded everyone what’s at stake. Members organized numerous actions and shared widely on social media to promote their great work and commitment. They told their stories of how the union has had an impact on their lives on our #UnionProud website.

Last but not least: Thank you for re-electing me to serve as your president. It’s an honor to represent the people who give so much every day in our classrooms across the city. 

Have a great summer and a well-deserved rest.