May 5, 2026

National Speech-Language-Hearing Month Celebration 2026

About 200 members, students and their guests gathered at UFT headquarters for the 20th annual celebration of National Speech-Language-Hearing Month (formerly known as Better Speech and Hearing Month). The UFT Speech Improvement Chapter recognized speech teachers and their students for exceptional projects that showcased the breadth and depth of therapies that speech teachers provide.

Speech teachers Sally Trye (left) and Angelica Penagos Bolivar of P277 @ PS 322, a District 75 program in Queens, display their award-winning project, “Girls Club.”

Jonathan Fickies

Sophie Lipstein of PS 34 in Brooklyn and her student show off their project, “Speech Showers Help Our Skills Bloom,” which helped the student with articulation goals.

Jonathan Fickies

Speech teacher Taylor Soave and her two students from PS 2 in Manhattan accept their award for their project, “Your Voice, Your Choice!”

Jonathan Fickies

UFT Speech Improvement Chapter Leader Caroline Murphy welcomes attendees to the 20th anniversary celebration.

Jonathan Fickies

Connie Cai, a speech teacher at PS 42 in Manhattan, shows off her students’ project, “Lunch from Home.”

Jonathan Fickies

Speech teachers Catherine Keshner (left) and Kelly Opinante of PS 346 in Brooklyn ask their students to describe their project, “Speech Has Helped Me Grow.”

Jonathan Fickies

Speech teacher Maria Barbagianis of Forest Hills HS and her student accept their award for “How Stuttering Has Impacted Me.”

Jonathan Fickies

Speech teachers, supervisors, students and families celebrate the hard work of their colleagues and students.

Jonathan Fickies

Gary Mehra, special education project manager, shows off his Friend of the Chapter award with UFT Vice President for Special Education MaryJo Ginese.

Jonathan Fickies

Speech teachers Sally Trye (left) and Angelica Penagos Bolivar of P277 @ PS 322, a District 75 program in Queens, display their award-winning project, “Girls Club.”

Jonathan Fickies

Sophie Lipstein of PS 34 in Brooklyn and her student show off their project, “Speech Showers Help Our Skills Bloom,” which helped the student with articulation goals.

Jonathan Fickies

Speech teacher Taylor Soave and her two students from PS 2 in Manhattan accept their award for their project, “Your Voice, Your Choice!”

Jonathan Fickies

UFT Speech Improvement Chapter Leader Caroline Murphy welcomes attendees to the 20th anniversary celebration.

Jonathan Fickies

Connie Cai, a speech teacher at PS 42 in Manhattan, shows off her students’ project, “Lunch from Home.”

Jonathan Fickies

Speech teachers Catherine Keshner (left) and Kelly Opinante of PS 346 in Brooklyn ask their students to describe their project, “Speech Has Helped Me Grow.”

Jonathan Fickies

Speech teacher Maria Barbagianis of Forest Hills HS and her student accept their award for “How Stuttering Has Impacted Me.”

Jonathan Fickies

Speech teachers, supervisors, students and families celebrate the hard work of their colleagues and students.

Jonathan Fickies

Gary Mehra, special education project manager, shows off his Friend of the Chapter award with UFT Vice President for Special Education MaryJo Ginese.

Jonathan Fickies