These are critical times for all public-sector unions in light of the Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association lawsuit before the U.S. Supreme Court. Perhaps nowhere is occupational mission and the importance of union membership more intertwined than among public school educators.

The No. 1 special education issue in schools is pressure to fit students into the programs and services that are available in the school even if the programs and services did not meet the student’s needs.

This year, there are 6,000 new teachers throughout the New York City public school system. They need our support in acquiring the tools, resources and strategies they need to be successful.

Our need for unity has rarely been more important. The U.S. labor movement — including the UFT — is under concerted attack from far-right conservatives who have as their end goal the destruction of unions and the rights we defend.

Through the National Industry Certification for Educators, or NICE, initiative, the UFT is providing the professional learning that CTE educators need — and we are doing it ourselves.

Chancellor Carmen Fariña has made the education of English language learners a priority. She wants to restore and expand bilingual education.

The Positive Learning Collaborative is working with 16 schools to help create classrooms free of bullying, drama and conflict so all children can learn while respecting the humanity of teacher and child. We are already seeing exceptional results. 


Our city’s academic high schools are full of creative and innovative teachers committed to providing a varied and rich learning exchange to their students. I was delighted to have the opportunity to recently visit the classrooms of two such teachers.

As educators, you know that the cafeteria is, without question, a reflection on the tone and climate of a particular school. The DOE has introduced a pilot school lunch program at a handful of schools across the city this year to try to change the culture of the lunchroom. 


This year, with thousands of new preschool slots for children, it’s more important than ever that we make sure our youngest learners develop the love of reading that will serve them well for the rest of their lives. 
That’s why we jumped at the chance to work with the AFT on a pilot program called Transitioning to Kindergarten.