2014 Paraprofessional Festival and Luncheon

March 18, 2014

2014 Paraprofessional Festival and Luncheon

Nearly 1,000 paraprofessionals gathered on March 15 at the New York Hilton for workshops, a health fair and a celebration of their work.

Paraprofessionals of the Year pose with their awards at the New York Hilton.

Jonathan Fickies

UFT President Michael Mulgrew addresses the 1,000 paras at the luncheon.

Jonathan Fickies

Shelvy Young-Abrams, Hector Ruiz and Doreen Raftery

Paraprofessional Chapter Leader Shelvy Young-Abrams (center) stands with 2nd Vice Chair Hector Ruiz and 1st Vice Chair Doreen Raftery, who received the Chairperson’s Award.

Jonathan Fickies

Shirley Cumberbatch (left) is a para at PS 181 in Brooklyn and Sonia Petgrave is a sub para, on call in Queens and Manhattan.

Jonathan Fickies

City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito was the keynote speaker.

Jonathan Fickies

Participants pick up information at the health fair.

Jonathan Fickies

Ana Adames, Falguni Sinha and Maria Ayala wait in line at the health fair.

Paraprofessionals (from center to right) Ana Adames, Falguni Sinha and Maria Ayala, all from PS 11 in Queens, wait in line at the health fair.

Jonathan Fickies

Anastasia Kondilys-Vasquez, a paraprofessional at PS 285 in Queens, attends a workshop on autism.

Jonathan Fickies

Dilruba Islam, a paraprofessional from PS 13 in Queens, in the 'Stress with a Twist' workshop.

Jonathan Fickies

Paraprofessional Juana Alvarez (right) attended with Marie Bernard, the teacher she works with at P754 in the Bronx.

Jonathan Fickies

Paraprofessionals osalie Ruggirello, Carmen Roldan, and Wanda Armijos.

Paraprofessionals (from left) Rosalie Ruggirello, PS 75 in Queens; Carmen Roldan, PS 279 in the Bronx; and Wanda Armijos, PS 75 in Queens.

Jonathan Fickies

Honoree Latifa Benson (second from left) attends the event with her family.

Jonathan Fickies

UFT President Michael Mulgrew addresses the gathering while Chapter Chair Shelvy Young Abrams looks on.

Jonathan Fickies

Honoree Patrick Sykes-Craig (center) poses with colleagues from PS/IS 180 in Brooklyn, including Principal Gary Williams (second from left).

Jonathan Fickies

Paraprofessionals of the Year pose with their awards at the New York Hilton.

Jonathan Fickies

UFT President Michael Mulgrew addresses the 1,000 paras at the luncheon.

Jonathan Fickies

Paraprofessional Chapter Leader Shelvy Young-Abrams (center) stands with 2nd Vice Chair Hector Ruiz and 1st Vice Chair Doreen Raftery, who received the Chairperson’s Award.

Jonathan Fickies

Shirley Cumberbatch (left) is a para at PS 181 in Brooklyn and Sonia Petgrave is a sub para, on call in Queens and Manhattan.

Jonathan Fickies

City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito was the keynote speaker.

Jonathan Fickies

Participants pick up information at the health fair.

Jonathan Fickies

Paraprofessionals (from center to right) Ana Adames, Falguni Sinha and Maria Ayala, all from PS 11 in Queens, wait in line at the health fair.

Jonathan Fickies

Anastasia Kondilys-Vasquez, a paraprofessional at PS 285 in Queens, attends a workshop on autism.

Jonathan Fickies

Dilruba Islam, a paraprofessional from PS 13 in Queens, in the 'Stress with a Twist' workshop.