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Teacher Union Day 2015

More than 1,200 members packed the Grand Ballroom at the New York Hilton for Teacher Union Day on Nov. 1 to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the first UFT strike and to honor those whose efforts have made a difference in people’s lives. The first-ever Schools in Action awards were given to seven UFT chapters for their solidarity, creativity and engagement in the #AllKidsNeed campaign.
NYSUT Vice President Catalina Fortino, a former UFT vice president for education
NYSUT Vice President Catalina Fortino, a former UFT vice president for education and director of the Teacher Center, accepts the Charles Cogen Award — the union's highest honor given to members — from Staff Director LeRoy Barr (left) and UFT President Michael Mulgrew during Teacher Union Day on Nov. 4 at the New York Hilton.
Bruce Cotler
Members from PS 88 in Queens, including co-chapter leaders Susan Stark (seated,
Members from PS 88 in Queens, including co-chapter leaders Susan Stark (seated, third from right) and Tara Morgan (seated, third from left), are recognized with a Schools in Action Award.
Bruce Cotler
DAVID WITTES AWARD: Retired Teachers Chapter Leader Tom Murphy (left) accepts th

DAVID WITTES AWARD: Retired Teachers Chapter Leader Tom Murphy (left) accepts the award, which went to the chapter and the Alliance for Retired Americans, from UFT President Michael Mulgrew (center) and RTC Treasurer Vincent Gaglione.

Bruce Cotler
Representatives from IS 2 on Staten Island, including Chapter Leader Mark Zink (
Representatives from IS 2 on Staten Island, including Chapter Leader Mark Zink (standing, second from right), pose with their Schools in Action Award and Mulgrew (standing, right).
Bruce Cotler
Shelvy Young-Abrams, the chair of the UFT Paraprofessionals Chapter, addresses t
Shelvy Young-Abrams, the chair of the UFT Paraprofessionals Chapter, addresses the audience after receiving the Sidney Harris Award.
Bruce Cotler
Paraprofessionals Chapter Chair Shelvy Young-Abrams (second from left) shows off
Paraprofessionals Chapter Chair Shelvy Young-Abrams (second from left) shows off her Sidney Harris Award, with UFT Directors of Staff Ellie Engler (left) and LeRoy Barr (right) and Vice President for Special Education Carmen Alvarez.
Bruce Cotler
Among the Schools in Action Award winners was Edward R. Murrow HS, Brooklyn.
Among the Schools in Action Award winners was Edward R. Murrow HS, Brooklyn.
Bruce Cotler
The Albert Lee Smallheiser Award winners with Directors of Staff (from left) LeR

ALBERT LEE SMALLHEISER AWARDS: Honorees (from left) Anthony Klug, Anthony Barnes, Donna Coppola, Marcus Escobar, Elizabeth Espert, Robert Fernandez, John Harrington, John Kamps, Michael Sill and Katherine Lewis.

Bruce Cotler
Chapter Leader David Doorga (right) accepts a Schools in Action Award on behalf
Chapter Leader David Doorga (right) accepts a Schools in Action Award on behalf of PS 168, a District 75 school in the Bronx.
Bruce Cotler
Members from PS 168 in the Bronx, a District 75 school, with their Schools in Ac
Members from PS 168 in the Bronx, a District 75 school, with their Schools in Action Award.
Bruce Cotler
AFT President Randi Weingarten addresses the audience.
AFT President Randi Weingarten addresses the audience.
Bruce Cotler
10-YEAR CHAPTER LEADERS: The honorees (not in photo order, and some missing from

10-YEAR CHAPTER LEADERS: The honorees (not in photo order, and some missing from photo): Carmen Applewhite, Elaine Arnold, Jocelyn Aponte-Chicoy, Frank Bancone, Marilyn E. Beckford, Jeffery Bernstein, Visnoonand Bisram, Victorianne Cappiello, Lia Galeano, Hyacinth B. Hall, Aurekis Jaar-Rivera, Inez Johnson, Patricia Klein, Martha Murray, Anne Marie Nowak, Garry Paul and Wendy Walker Wilson.

Bruce Cotler
Chapter Leader Melissa Nelson (seated, center) shows off the Schools in Action A
Chapter Leader Melissa Nelson (seated, center) shows off the Schools in Action Award she and her fellow staff from PS 161 in the Bronx received.
Bruce Cotler
MARSH-RAIMO AWARDS: Honorees (from fourth left) Servia Silva, Corrine Barros, Ka

MARSH-RAIMO AWARDS: Honorees (from fourth left) Servia Silva, Corrine Barros, Kathleen Bayer, Patricia Atia and Victoria Primiano with (from left) Mulgrew, Assistant Treasurer Tom Brown, Staff Director Ellie Engler and Staff Director LeRoy Barr (far right).

Bruce Cotler
Chapter leaders representing the elementary schools that received Ely Trachtenbe

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: UFT President Michael Mulgrew (standing, left) and Vice President for Elementary Schools Karen Alford (standing, right) with (standing, from second left) Martin J. McKeown of PS 143, Queens; Jennifer A. Insalaco of PS 3, Staten Island; Mary-Ann Cornacchio of PS 41, Staten Island; Paula M. Thomas of PS 4, Queens; John P. Krattinger of PS 42, Queens; and Denise Verde of PS 186, Queens; and (seated, from left) Nancy Aromando of PS 118, Queens; William T. Woodruff of PS 31, the Bronx; Lee A. Nelson of PS 5, Manhattan; Patricia Pabon of PS 12, the Bronx; Lissette Vazquez of PS 92, the Bronx; Fredda R. Pichardo of PS 7, Queens; and Victoria Primiano of PS 62, Queens.

Bruce Cotler
MIDDLE SCHOOLS: Vice President for Middle Schools Richard Mantell (center) with

MIDDLE SCHOOLS: Vice President for Middle Schools Richard Mantell (center) with awardees (from left) Joseph L. Usatch of IS 311, Brooklyn; Sarah R. Evens of JHS 172, Queens; Vonda T. Lawrence of IS 98, the Bronx; and Julio C. Mendez of IS 286, Manhattan.

Bruce Cotler
Chapter leaders from the high schools that were given Ely Trachtenberg awards wi

HIGH SCHOOLS: Vice President for Academic High Schools Janella Hinds (standing, center) with honorees (standing, from left) Jay M. Wiprovnick of Williamsburg HS, Brooklyn; and David S. Roach of Phoenix Academy HS, the Bronx; and (seated, from left) Antonietta G. Fuccio of Brooklyn Studio Secondary School; Kenneth Couret of HS of World Cultures, the Bronx; and La eur C. King of Bedford Stuyvesant Preparatory School, Brooklyn.

Bruce Cotler
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: Vice President Karen Alford (center) with winners Tracy E. H

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: Vice President Karen Alford (center) with winners Tracy E. Harrison (left) of the Family School, the Bronx, and Marie M. Sarabia of Teachers College Community School, Manhattan.

Bruce Cotler
PS 51 in Manhattan members are honored as a School in Action.
PS 51 in Manhattan members are honored as a School in Action.
Bruce Cotler
The family of the late Patrick Wanninkhof accepts the Audrey Chasen Award from V
The family of the late Patrick Wanninkhof accepts the Audrey Chasen Award from Vice President Anne Goldman (left), Mulgrew (second from right) and AFT President Randi Weingarten.
Bruce Cotler
UFT Director of Parent and Community Outreach Anthony Harmon, who chaired the ev
UFT Director of Parent and Community Outreach Anthony Harmon, who chaired the event, welcomes the more than 1,200 in attendance.
Bruce Cotler
UFT President Michael Mulgrew delivers his opening remarks.
UFT President Michael Mulgrew delivers his opening remarks.
Bruce Cotler
PS 204 in Brooklyn, which created a #AllKidsNeed campaign video that was viewed
PS 204 in Brooklyn, which created a #AllKidsNeed campaign video that was viewed more than 500,000 times, was recognized as a School in Action.
Bruce Cotler
Laura Tamburo receives the Jules Kolodney Award from UFT Secretary Emil Pietromo
Laura Tamburo receives the Jules Kolodney Award from UFT Secretary Emil Pietromonaco (left) and Mulgrew.
Bruce Cotler
George Altomare (right), one of the founders of the UFT, leads everyone in singi
George Altomare (right), one of the founders of the UFT, leads everyone in singing “Solidarity Forever” at the conclusion of the event.
Bruce Cotler
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NYSUT Vice President Catalina Fortino, a former UFT vice president for education
NYSUT Vice President Catalina Fortino, a former UFT vice president for education and director of the Teacher Center, accepts the Charles Cogen Award — the union's highest honor given to members — from Staff Director LeRoy Barr (left) and UFT President Michael Mulgrew during Teacher Union Day on Nov. 4 at the New York Hilton.
Bruce Cotler
Members from PS 88 in Queens, including co-chapter leaders Susan Stark (seated,
Members from PS 88 in Queens, including co-chapter leaders Susan Stark (seated, third from right) and Tara Morgan (seated, third from left), are recognized with a Schools in Action Award.
Bruce Cotler
DAVID WITTES AWARD: Retired Teachers Chapter Leader Tom Murphy (left) accepts th

DAVID WITTES AWARD: Retired Teachers Chapter Leader Tom Murphy (left) accepts the award, which went to the chapter and the Alliance for Retired Americans, from UFT President Michael Mulgrew (center) and RTC Treasurer Vincent Gaglione.

Bruce Cotler
Representatives from IS 2 on Staten Island, including Chapter Leader Mark Zink (
Representatives from IS 2 on Staten Island, including Chapter Leader Mark Zink (standing, second from right), pose with their Schools in Action Award and Mulgrew (standing, right).
Bruce Cotler
Shelvy Young-Abrams, the chair of the UFT Paraprofessionals Chapter, addresses t
Shelvy Young-Abrams, the chair of the UFT Paraprofessionals Chapter, addresses the audience after receiving the Sidney Harris Award.
Bruce Cotler
Paraprofessionals Chapter Chair Shelvy Young-Abrams (second from left) shows off
Paraprofessionals Chapter Chair Shelvy Young-Abrams (second from left) shows off her Sidney Harris Award, with UFT Directors of Staff Ellie Engler (left) and LeRoy Barr (right) and Vice President for Special Education Carmen Alvarez.
Bruce Cotler
Among the Schools in Action Award winners was Edward R. Murrow HS, Brooklyn.
Among the Schools in Action Award winners was Edward R. Murrow HS, Brooklyn.
Bruce Cotler
The Albert Lee Smallheiser Award winners with Directors of Staff (from left) LeR

ALBERT LEE SMALLHEISER AWARDS: Honorees (from left) Anthony Klug, Anthony Barnes, Donna Coppola, Marcus Escobar, Elizabeth Espert, Robert Fernandez, John Harrington, John Kamps, Michael Sill and Katherine Lewis.

Bruce Cotler
Chapter Leader David Doorga (right) accepts a Schools in Action Award on behalf
Chapter Leader David Doorga (right) accepts a Schools in Action Award on behalf of PS 168, a District 75 school in the Bronx.
Bruce Cotler
Members from PS 168 in the Bronx, a District 75 school, with their Schools in Ac
Members from PS 168 in the Bronx, a District 75 school, with their Schools in Action Award.
Bruce Cotler
AFT President Randi Weingarten addresses the audience.
AFT President Randi Weingarten addresses the audience.
Bruce Cotler
10-YEAR CHAPTER LEADERS: The honorees (not in photo order, and some missing from

10-YEAR CHAPTER LEADERS: The honorees (not in photo order, and some missing from photo): Carmen Applewhite, Elaine Arnold, Jocelyn Aponte-Chicoy, Frank Bancone, Marilyn E. Beckford, Jeffery Bernstein, Visnoonand Bisram, Victorianne Cappiello, Lia Galeano, Hyacinth B. Hall, Aurekis Jaar-Rivera, Inez Johnson, Patricia Klein, Martha Murray, Anne Marie Nowak, Garry Paul and Wendy Walker Wilson.

Bruce Cotler
Chapter Leader Melissa Nelson (seated, center) shows off the Schools in Action A
Chapter Leader Melissa Nelson (seated, center) shows off the Schools in Action Award she and her fellow staff from PS 161 in the Bronx received.
Bruce Cotler
MARSH-RAIMO AWARDS: Honorees (from fourth left) Servia Silva, Corrine Barros, Ka

MARSH-RAIMO AWARDS: Honorees (from fourth left) Servia Silva, Corrine Barros, Kathleen Bayer, Patricia Atia and Victoria Primiano with (from left) Mulgrew, Assistant Treasurer Tom Brown, Staff Director Ellie Engler and Staff Director LeRoy Barr (far right).

Bruce Cotler
Chapter leaders representing the elementary schools that received Ely Trachtenbe

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: UFT President Michael Mulgrew (standing, left) and Vice President for Elementary Schools Karen Alford (standing, right) with (standing, from second left) Martin J. McKeown of PS 143, Queens; Jennifer A. Insalaco of PS 3, Staten Island; Mary-Ann Cornacchio of PS 41, Staten Island; Paula M. Thomas of PS 4, Queens; John P. Krattinger of PS 42, Queens; and Denise Verde of PS 186, Queens; and (seated, from left) Nancy Aromando of PS 118, Queens; William T. Woodruff of PS 31, the Bronx; Lee A. Nelson of PS 5, Manhattan; Patricia Pabon of PS 12, the Bronx; Lissette Vazquez of PS 92, the Bronx; Fredda R. Pichardo of PS 7, Queens; and Victoria Primiano of PS 62, Queens.

Bruce Cotler
MIDDLE SCHOOLS: Vice President for Middle Schools Richard Mantell (center) with

MIDDLE SCHOOLS: Vice President for Middle Schools Richard Mantell (center) with awardees (from left) Joseph L. Usatch of IS 311, Brooklyn; Sarah R. Evens of JHS 172, Queens; Vonda T. Lawrence of IS 98, the Bronx; and Julio C. Mendez of IS 286, Manhattan.

Bruce Cotler
Chapter leaders from the high schools that were given Ely Trachtenberg awards wi

HIGH SCHOOLS: Vice President for Academic High Schools Janella Hinds (standing, center) with honorees (standing, from left) Jay M. Wiprovnick of Williamsburg HS, Brooklyn; and David S. Roach of Phoenix Academy HS, the Bronx; and (seated, from left) Antonietta G. Fuccio of Brooklyn Studio Secondary School; Kenneth Couret of HS of World Cultures, the Bronx; and La eur C. King of Bedford Stuyvesant Preparatory School, Brooklyn.

Bruce Cotler
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: Vice President Karen Alford (center) with winners Tracy E. H

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: Vice President Karen Alford (center) with winners Tracy E. Harrison (left) of the Family School, the Bronx, and Marie M. Sarabia of Teachers College Community School, Manhattan.

Bruce Cotler
PS 51 in Manhattan members are honored as a School in Action.
PS 51 in Manhattan members are honored as a School in Action.
Bruce Cotler
The family of the late Patrick Wanninkhof accepts the Audrey Chasen Award from V
The family of the late Patrick Wanninkhof accepts the Audrey Chasen Award from Vice President Anne Goldman (left), Mulgrew (second from right) and AFT President Randi Weingarten.
Bruce Cotler
UFT Director of Parent and Community Outreach Anthony Harmon, who chaired the ev
UFT Director of Parent and Community Outreach Anthony Harmon, who chaired the event, welcomes the more than 1,200 in attendance.
Bruce Cotler
UFT President Michael Mulgrew delivers his opening remarks.
UFT President Michael Mulgrew delivers his opening remarks.
Bruce Cotler
PS 204 in Brooklyn, which created a #AllKidsNeed campaign video that was viewed
PS 204 in Brooklyn, which created a #AllKidsNeed campaign video that was viewed more than 500,000 times, was recognized as a School in Action.
Bruce Cotler
Laura Tamburo receives the Jules Kolodney Award from UFT Secretary Emil Pietromo
Laura Tamburo receives the Jules Kolodney Award from UFT Secretary Emil Pietromonaco (left) and Mulgrew.
Bruce Cotler
George Altomare (right), one of the founders of the UFT, leads everyone in singi
George Altomare (right), one of the founders of the UFT, leads everyone in singing “Solidarity Forever” at the conclusion of the event.
Bruce Cotler
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