“Union Loud and Proud” teachers from PS 156 in Laurelton ham it up in the UFT photo booth during the annual Spring Education Conference on May 7 at the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew discussed the changing dynamics within the teaching profession with Regents Chancellor Betty Rosa and New York State Commissioner of Education MaryEllen Elia.

Rebecca Oyer of PS 41 in the West Village pays close attention to the Town Hall discussion, which featured UFT President Michael Mulgrew in conversation with State Regents Chancellor Betty Rosa and State Education Commissioner Maryellen Elia.

Mavis Yon of PS 156 in Brownsville poses a question for the Town Hall panelists.

Joann Spinella (left) and Randi Leibson of PS 78 on Staten Island share a moment with State Education Commissioner Maryellen Elia (right).

It’s a very busy morning at the conference exhibit hall.

Proud of the work they do at Pathways to Graduation in Queens, teachers and students show off bicycle repair skills at their exhibit space.

Cristina Tur (left), a teacher at PS 33 in Manhattan, confers with Penelope McKown, a teacher at PS 76 in the Bronx, during a workshop on helping English language learners build conversational skills.

Anita Archer (standing) models best practices with her audience of educators in her workshop on getting all students engaged in classroom discussions.

Attendees solve problems in a workshop on teaching mathematics for all students.

The workshop on student engagement gives members new strategies to get students interacting with teachers and classmates.

In her workshop, Dr. Marilyn Friend helps clarify content and process in the integrated co-teaching classroom.

Teacher Andrew Gooden (center) and his students makes sure everything’s in working order at the exhibit displayed by In-Tech Academy, the Bronx.

Parent Karen Chambers enjoys a new look that is being created for her by a cosmetology student from Co-op Tech HS in Manhattan.

Student chefs from Westinghouse Career and Technical Education HS in Brooklyn turn out Southwestern omelets under the watchful eyes of teachers Niki Rosenthal (left) and Michele Williams (second from right).

Reviewing their checklist are (from left) Patricia Mezzacappa of IS 61 and Jessica Jacobs of PS 52, both on Staten Island, and Joy Rifkin and Meredith McDermott of the Department of Education.

At the Mindfulness Meditation workshop, attendees learn how to let go of stress.

Child care providers also participated in the festivities.

Mulgrew addresses members, who also heard from Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña.

More than 1,600 members, parents and education activists from across the city participated in the annual event.

Mayor Bill de Blasio addressed the conference, telling UFT members, “You are the heroes and we will treat you like the heroes you are.”

Attendees give a standing ovation to Mayor Bill de Blasio, who praised teachers and their efforts.

Paraprofessional Shenequa Ravaliere (left) of PS 325 in Queens drops a donation in the bucket held by District 24 Representative John Harrington. More than $10,000 was collected to help students traveling to an academic competition. Looking on are teacher Amal Alasmar (second from right), also PS 325, and paraprofessional Brenda Jackson of PS 206, Queens.

The Food Bank for New York was the recipient of this year’s John Dewey Award. The Rev. Henry A. Belin III (left), the chairman of the Food Bank board, accepted the award on behalf of the institution from Mulgrew and Anthony Harmon (center).