These three members from Louis Armstrong MS saved the life of a sixth-grader in October.

More than 1,000 people filled the hotel ballroom for the annual event, which this year marks the 56th anniversary of the UFT.

Former secretary Emil Pietromonaco received the union's highest honor for a member, the Charles Cogen Award. Pietromonaco started out as a math teacher and chapter leader at IS 51 on Staten Island. After the ceremony, he stands with his successor (Debra Penny) and predecessor (Jim Tabert) as Staten Island borough representative.

Family and friends take the opportunity to snap photos of an honoree.

The elementary school chapter leaders who received Trachtenberg Awards

The middle school chapter leaders who received Trachtenberg Awards

The high school chapter leaders who received Trachtenberg Awards

UFT members from PS 45 on Staten Island, a Positive Learning Collaborative School, received an Innovation in Education Award.

UFT members and the principal from PS 65 in Queens, a UFT community learning school, were honored with an Innovation in Education Award.

The teacher leadership team at MS 228 in the Bronx was honored with an Innovation in Education Award. District Representative Marcus Escobar (standing, second from left) posed with UFT members from the school.

UFT members from International HS at LaGuardia Community College, a PROSE school, were honored with an Innovation in Education Award.

UFT Teacher Center staffer Phyllis Walker accepts the Jules Kolodny Award.

With the presidential election two days away, the union bestowed the Marsh/Raimo Award on union members who are dedicated political volunteers.

Theodore Fettman, a 60-year UFT member, with his wife Beverly, received a standing ovation at the ceremony.

The members honored with an Audrey Chasen Award this year pose with UFT leaders.

District 75 Representative Analia Gerard, the winner of the Sidney Harris Award, gave a moving tribute to special-needs children and the educators who teach them. She stands with Vice President for Special Education Carmen Alvarez (at right).

The Backer-Scheintaub Award winners were (from left) New York Teacher reporter Dorothy Callaci, certification rep Peter Mason and distinguished Brooklyn teacher Kishayna Hazlewood.

UFT Assistant Treasurer Tom Brown (right) gave the David Wittes Award to UFT pension rep Frank Panebianco.

The winners of the Albert Lee Smallheiser Awards

Teachers Prep HS paraprofessional Jose Gonzalez stands next to one of the many posters that he has created for the UFT Middle School Division.

UFT Assistant to the President Anthony Harmon presided as master of ceremonies.