Paraprofessional Festival and Awards Luncheon 2013

April 20, 2013

Paraprofessional Festival and Awards Luncheon 2013

More than 900 UFT paraprofessionals turned out for the chapter’s 32nd annual Paraprofessional Festival and Awards Luncheon at the New York Hilton Hotel on April 20. The event featured an array of workshops and remarks from UFT President Michael Mulgrew, Paraprofessional Chapter Chair Shelvy Abrams and City Council Member Julissa Ferreras. The chapter also gave out Paraprofessional of the Year awards to 14 paraprofessionals and its Humanitarian of the Year Award to paraprofessional Ryan Smith, of Staten Island’s PS 271.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew addresses the assembled paraprofessionals.

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UFT Special Representative Martha Lane leads a workshop on paraprofessionals’ rights and their contract with the DOE.

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Gregoria Aovedo, from the Bronx’s IS 190, asks a question in the “More Than Just a Paraprofessional” workshop.

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Members do “the wave” in a workshop on relieving stress.

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Left to right, Calixta Rufino, from 731 in the Bronx, and Carmen Cabrera and Orfellina Rivera, both from PS 176, also in the Bronx, show off their workshop certificates.

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The afternoon’s 15 happy award-winners pose for a photo with chapter and union-wide officers and City Councilmember Julissa Ferreras (back row, third from right).

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Nicholas Vaiana, from Susan Wagner HS on Staten Island, Debra Graves, from MS 529 in the Bronx, and Dianne Nudelman, from PS 29 on Staten Island, chat with UFT Paraprofessionals Chapter Chair Shelvy Abrams.

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UFT Paraprofessional Chapter Chair Shelvy Abrams poses with past chapter chair Maria Portalatin and Irma Rodriguez, the Manhattan borough paraprofessional coordinator.

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Ryan Smith (right), the winner of the chapter’s Humanitarian of the Year Award, poses with UFT President Michael Mulgrew and paraprofessional chapter officers Dorothy Kamps, Hector Ruiz, Jr. and Shelvy Abrams. Smith works at PS 271 and was recognized for his efforts to assist colleagues and community members in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

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Staff from the DOE’s Office of Scholarship and Incentive Programs and the Office of Bilingual Pupil Services, which won the inaugural Paraprofessional Collaboration Award.

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City Councilmember Julissa Ferreras, the afternoon’s keynote speaker.

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Rosa Rodriguez, from PS 93 at PS 41 in Queens, has her eyes tested at the health fair.

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Michael Santos, a District 75 special representative from P811 in Manhattan, has his blood pressure checked at the health fair.

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Paraprofessionals from Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx.

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Paraprofessionals from the Bronx.

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Paraprofessionals from Staten Island.

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Paraprofessionals from Brooklyn.

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Paraprofessionals from District 21 in Brooklyn.

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Staten Island paraprofessionals.

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Members from PS 30 and PS 138, both in District 5 in Manhattan.

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Paraprofessionals from Queens.

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UFT President Michael Mulgrew addresses the assembled paraprofessionals.

Miller Photography

UFT Special Representative Martha Lane leads a workshop on paraprofessionals’ rights and their contract with the DOE.

Miller Photography

Gregoria Aovedo, from the Bronx’s IS 190, asks a question in the “More Than Just a Paraprofessional” workshop.

Miller Photography

Members do “the wave” in a workshop on relieving stress.

Miller Photography

Left to right, Calixta Rufino, from 731 in the Bronx, and Carmen Cabrera and Orfellina Rivera, both from PS 176, also in the Bronx, show off their workshop certificates.

Miller Photography

The afternoon’s 15 happy award-winners pose for a photo with chapter and union-wide officers and City Councilmember Julissa Ferreras (back row, third from right).

Miller Photography

UFT Paraprofessional Chapter Chair Shelvy Abrams poses with past chapter chair Maria Portalatin and Irma Rodriguez, the Manhattan borough paraprofessional coordinator.

Miller Photography

Staff from the DOE’s Office of Scholarship and Incentive Programs and the Office of Bilingual Pupil Services, which won the inaugural Paraprofessional Collaboration Award.

Miller Photography

City Councilmember Julissa Ferreras, the afternoon’s keynote speaker.

Miller Photography

Rosa Rodriguez, from PS 93 at PS 41 in Queens, has her eyes tested at the health fair.

Miller Photography

Michael Santos, a District 75 special representative from P811 in Manhattan, has his blood pressure checked at the health fair.

Miller Photography

Paraprofessionals from Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx.

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Paraprofessionals from the Bronx.

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Paraprofessionals from Staten Island.