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Teacher Union Day 2025

About 1,700 UFT members, families and friends gathered at the New York Hilton on Nov. 2, 2025, to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the 1960 strike that won collective bargaining rights for UFT members. At the union’s annual Teacher Union Day event, more than 250 individual members and chapters were honored for their exceptional work and longtime service to the union’s mission, including the members of the UFT Health Care Committee and the Occupational and Physical Therapists Chapter.

Members from two schools in Queens take a group photo at a table before the start of Teacher Union Day on November 2, 2025.

Members from IS 93 and IS 61, both in Queens, are among some 1,700 members and attendees to gather at the New York Hilton Midtown for Teacher Union Day.

Jonathan Fickies
The ballroom at the Hilton is filled to capacity during Teacher Union Day on November 2, 2025.

The ballroom at the Hilton is filled to capacity during Teacher Union Day’s celebration of members’ achievements.

Erica Berger
A woman in a blue dress is celebrated by her colleagues as she receives an award.

Chapter Leader Elkis Felice (second left) of PS 28 in Manhattan’s Hamilton Heights is cheered by colleagues. The Ely Trachtenberg Award-winner was honored for creating and nurturing unionism in her chapter.

Erica Berger
The union confers the Jules Kolodny Award to the 50-member UFT Health Care Committee for their leadership and commitment in helping the UFT secure a five-year, premium-free health care contract for members.

The union confers the Jules Kolodny Award on the 50-member UFT Health Care Committee for their leadership and commitment in helping the UFT secure a new city health plan that locks in premium-free care for the next five years.

Jonathan Fickies
Occupational and Physical Therapists Chapter Leader Thomas Ayrovainen (second right) and members of his chapter’s political action team are all smiles after they receive the David Wittes Award for their successful campaign to get Board of Education Retirement System members the right to join the Teachers’ Retirement System. Congratulating them are UFT President Michael Mulgrew (far left) and the teacher-members of the New York City Teachers’ Retirement Board Christina McGrath, Tom Brown and Victoria Lee.

Occupational and Physical Therapists Chapter Leader Thomas Ayrovainen (second right) and members of his chapter’s political action team are all smiles after they receive the David Wittes Award for their successful campaign to get Board of Education Retirement System members the right to join the Teachers’ Retirement System. Congratulating them are UFT President Michael Mulgrew (far left) and the teacher-members of the New York City Teachers’ Retirement Board Christina McGrath (second left), Tom Brown (third right) and Victoria Lee (right).

Jonathan Fickies
Mulgrew opens Teacher Union Day by praising members for their work in accomplishing recent victories like the statewide, bell-to-bell cellphone ban and the push for smaller class sizes, and speaks of the ongoing battles ahead, including the paraprofessional “RESPECT check” and Fix Tier 6 campaigns.

Mulgrew opens Teacher Union Day by praising members for their work in accomplishing recent victories like the statewide, bell-to-bell cellphone ban and the push for smaller class sizes, and speaks of the ongoing battles ahead, including the paraprofessional “RESPECT check” and Fix Tier 6 campaigns.

Erica Berger
UFT Secretary LeRoy Barr speaks to the union’s strengths emanating from its members’ ability to come together as he wins the Charles Cogen Award, the union’s highest honor, given to a veteran leader for outstanding service.

UFT Secretary LeRoy Barr speaks to the union’s strengths emanating from its members’ ability to come together as he wins the Charles Cogen Award, the union’s highest honor, given to a veteran leader for outstanding service.

Jonathan Fickies
LeRoy Barr is surrounded by well-wishers after receiving the Charles Cogen Award during Teacher Union Day on November 2, 2025.

Barr is surrounded by well-wishers after receiving the Charles Cogen Award.

Erica Berger
Ely Trachtenberg Award-winner Maria Berrios (seated), who teaches at PS 38 in Brooklyn, gets a congratulatory hug from Judith Newell, a teacher at PS 124 in Brooklyn.

Ely Trachtenberg Award-winner Maria Berrios (seated), who teaches at PS 38 in Brooklyn, gets a congratulatory hug from Judith Newell, a teacher at PS 124 in Brooklyn.

Erica Berger
Elementary school chapter leaders gather on stage after receiving Ely Trachtenberg Awards for exemplary service from UFT Vice President for Elementary Schools Karen Alford (far left), Mulgrew and Barr (far right).

Elementary school chapter leaders gather on stage after receiving Ely Trachtenberg Awards for exemplary service.

Jonathan Fickies
Middle school chapter leaders gather on stage after receiving Ely Trachtenberg Awards from UFT Vice President for Middle Schools Richard Mantell (far right).

Middle school chapter leaders gather on stage after receiving Ely Trachtenberg Awards from UFT Vice President for Middle Schools Richard Mantell (far right).

Jonathan Fickies
High school chapter leaders gather are congratulated for winning Ely Trachtenberg Awards by UFT Vice President for Academic High Schools Janella Hinds (left) and UFT Vice President for Career and Technical Education Leo Gordon (right).

High school chapter leaders are congratulated for winning Ely Trachtenberg Awards by UFT Vice President for Academic High Schools Janella Hinds (left) and UFT Vice President for Career and Technical Education Leo Gordon (right).

Jonathan Fickies
Receiving a Sidney Harris Award for outstanding leadership in special education are (starting third from left) Queens Mosaic Pre-K Center teacher Allison Ruina, Chapter Leader Theresa Schneider and principal Arthur Gnecco, flanked by UFT Vice President for Special Education Mary Jo Ginese (left), Mulgrew and Queens Borough Representative Tabio DaCruz (right).

Receiving a Sidney Harris Award for outstanding leadership in special education are (starting third from left) Queens Mosaic Pre-K Center teacher Allison Ruina, Chapter Leader Theresa Schneider and principal Arthur Gnecco, flanked by UFT Vice President for Special Education MaryJo Ginese (left), Mulgrew and Queens Borough Representative Tabio DaCruz (right).

Jonathan Fickies
Chapter Leaders (from right) Brian Boggan of Celia Cruz HS, Drew Pecunia of Kingsbridge International HS, Marilyn Martin of Discovery HS and Seth Gilman of the HS for Teaching and the Professionals are congratulated by Bronx High School Representative Daniel Rodriguez (left) after the members receive an Albert Lee Smallheiser Awards for working together to rebuild a library at the Walton Educational Campus where their schools are co-located.

Chapter Leaders (from right) Brian Boggan of Celia Cruz HS, Drew Pecunia of Kingsbridge International HS, Marilyn Martin of Discovery HS and Seth Gilman of the HS for Teaching and the Professionals are congratulated by Bronx High School Representative Daniel Rodriguez (left) after the members receive Albert Lee Smallheiser Awards for working together to rebuild a library at the Walton Educational Campus where their schools are co-located.

Erica Berger
Honored for their strong negotiation skills and ensuring gains in pay and a safer workplace, members of the Federation of Nurses/UFT’s negotiating team at NYU-Langone Hospital Brooklyn receive Backer/Scheintaub Awards from Anne Goldman (far left), the UFT vice president for non-DOE and private-sector members.

Honored for their strong negotiation skills and ensuring gains in pay and a safer workplace, members of the Federation of Nurses/UFT’s negotiating team at NYU Langone Hospital–Brooklyn receive Backer/Scheintaub Awards from Anne Goldman (far left), the UFT vice president for non-DOE and private sector members.

Erica Berger
Brenda Caquias (right), assistant chapter leader of the Speech Improvement Chapter, receives the Sidney Harris Award for her leadership in special education from UFT Vice President for Special Education Mary Jo Ginese.

Brenda Caquias (right), assistant chapter leader of the Speech Improvement Chapter, receives the Sidney Harris Award for her leadership in special education from UFT Vice President for Special Education MaryJo Ginese.

Jonathan Fickies
Christopher Jones (far left), son of the late former UFT Vice President for Middle Schools Ron Jones, and Jones’ widow, UFT retiree Frieda Jones (middle), accept an In Memoriam plaque for Jones, who died in May 2025, from Mulgrew, AFT President Randi Weingarten (second from right) and UFT Vice President for Elementary Schools Karen Alford.

Christopher Jones (far left), son of the late former UFT Vice President for Middle Schools Ron Jones, and Jones’ widow, UFT retiree Frieda Jones (middle), accept an In Memoriam plaque for Jones, who died in May 2025, from Mulgrew, AFT President Randi Weingarten (second from right) and UFT Vice President for Elementary Schools Karen Alford.

Erica Berger
The family of the late Richard Miller, including his widow, retired educator Janet Miller (third from left), accept an In Memoriam plaque honoring the former UFT vice president, who died in May 2025, from Weingarten, Mantell (second from left) and Mulgrew (right).

The family of the late Richard Miller, including his widow, retired educator Janet Miller (third from left), accept an In Memoriam plaque honoring the former UFT vice president, who died in May 2025, from Weingarten, Mantell (second from left) and Mulgrew (right).

Jonathan Fickies
Congratulating Marsh/Raimo Award winners Dina Barghouti, Vernetta Crowner-Deshommes, Avi Gvili, James Rodriguez, Genoveba Smith and Winnie Thompson for their political activism are union leaders including UFT Political Director Vanecia Wilson (center), Mulgrew (fourth left) and Barr (right).

Congratulating Marsh/Raimo Award winners Dina Barghouti, Vernetta Crowner-Deshommes, Avi Gvili, James Rodriguez, Genoveba Smith and Winnie Thompson for their political activism are union leaders including UFT Political Director Vanecia Wilson (center), Mulgrew (fourth left) and Barr (right).

Jonathan Fickies
Chapter leaders are applauded and recognized with Union Service Awards for 10 years of service. The union also recognized chapter leaders with 15, 20 and 30 years of service.

Chapter leaders are applauded and recognized with Union Service Awards for 10 years of service. The union also recognized chapter leaders with 15, 20 and 30 years of service.

Jonathan Fickies
School counselors gather with Chapter Leader Rosemarie Thompson (second from left) during the lunch reception at the close of Teacher Union Day.

School counselors gather with Chapter Leader Rosemarie Thompson (second from left) during the lunch reception at the close of Teacher Union Day.

Jonathan Fickies
Members of District 18 strike a pose at the UFT photo booth with Brooklyn District Representative Joseph Surpris (far left).

Members of District 18 strike a pose at the UFT photo booth with Brooklyn District Representative Joseph Surpris (far left).

Erica Berger
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Members from two schools in Queens take a group photo at a table before the start of Teacher Union Day on November 2, 2025.
The ballroom at the Hilton is filled to capacity during Teacher Union Day on November 2, 2025.
A woman in a blue dress is celebrated by her colleagues as she receives an award.
The union confers the Jules Kolodny Award to the 50-member UFT Health Care Committee for their leadership and commitment in helping the UFT secure a five-year, premium-free health care contract for members.
Occupational and Physical Therapists Chapter Leader Thomas Ayrovainen (second right) and members of his chapter’s political action team are all smiles after they receive the David Wittes Award for their successful campaign to get Board of Education Retirement System members the right to join the Teachers’ Retirement System. Congratulating them are UFT President Michael Mulgrew (far left) and the teacher-members of the New York City Teachers’ Retirement Board Christina McGrath, Tom Brown and Victoria Lee.
Mulgrew opens Teacher Union Day by praising members for their work in accomplishing recent victories like the statewide, bell-to-bell cellphone ban and the push for smaller class sizes, and speaks of the ongoing battles ahead, including the paraprofessional “RESPECT check” and Fix Tier 6 campaigns.
UFT Secretary LeRoy Barr speaks to the union’s strengths emanating from its members’ ability to come together as he wins the Charles Cogen Award, the union’s highest honor, given to a veteran leader for outstanding service.
LeRoy Barr is surrounded by well-wishers after receiving the Charles Cogen Award during Teacher Union Day on November 2, 2025.
Ely Trachtenberg Award-winner Maria Berrios (seated), who teaches at PS 38 in Brooklyn, gets a congratulatory hug from Judith Newell, a teacher at PS 124 in Brooklyn.
Elementary school chapter leaders gather on stage after receiving Ely Trachtenberg Awards for exemplary service from UFT Vice President for Elementary Schools Karen Alford (far left), Mulgrew and Barr (far right).
Middle school chapter leaders gather on stage after receiving Ely Trachtenberg Awards from UFT Vice President for Middle Schools Richard Mantell (far right).
High school chapter leaders gather are congratulated for winning Ely Trachtenberg Awards by UFT Vice President for Academic High Schools Janella Hinds (left) and UFT Vice President for Career and Technical Education Leo Gordon (right).
Receiving a Sidney Harris Award for outstanding leadership in special education are (starting third from left) Queens Mosaic Pre-K Center teacher Allison Ruina, Chapter Leader Theresa Schneider and principal Arthur Gnecco, flanked by UFT Vice President for Special Education Mary Jo Ginese (left), Mulgrew and Queens Borough Representative Tabio DaCruz (right).
Chapter Leaders (from right) Brian Boggan of Celia Cruz HS, Drew Pecunia of Kingsbridge International HS, Marilyn Martin of Discovery HS and Seth Gilman of the HS for Teaching and the Professionals are congratulated by Bronx High School Representative Daniel Rodriguez (left) after the members receive an Albert Lee Smallheiser Awards for working together to rebuild a library at the Walton Educational Campus where their schools are co-located.
Honored for their strong negotiation skills and ensuring gains in pay and a safer workplace, members of the Federation of Nurses/UFT’s negotiating team at NYU-Langone Hospital Brooklyn receive Backer/Scheintaub Awards from Anne Goldman (far left), the UFT vice president for non-DOE and private-sector members.
Brenda Caquias (right), assistant chapter leader of the Speech Improvement Chapter, receives the Sidney Harris Award for her leadership in special education from UFT Vice President for Special Education Mary Jo Ginese.
Christopher Jones (far left), son of the late former UFT Vice President for Middle Schools Ron Jones, and Jones’ widow, UFT retiree Frieda Jones (middle), accept an In Memoriam plaque for Jones, who died in May 2025, from Mulgrew, AFT President Randi Weingarten (second from right) and UFT Vice President for Elementary Schools Karen Alford.
The family of the late Richard Miller, including his widow, retired educator Janet Miller (third from left), accept an In Memoriam plaque honoring the former UFT vice president, who died in May 2025, from Weingarten, Mantell (second from left) and Mulgrew (right).
Congratulating Marsh/Raimo Award winners Dina Barghouti, Vernetta Crowner-Deshommes, Avi Gvili, James Rodriguez, Genoveba Smith and Winnie Thompson for their political activism are union leaders including UFT Political Director Vanecia Wilson (center), Mulgrew (fourth left) and Barr (right).
Chapter leaders are applauded and recognized with Union Service Awards for 10 years of service. The union also recognized chapter leaders with 15, 20 and 30 years of service.
School counselors gather with Chapter Leader Rosemarie Thompson (second from left) during the lunch reception at the close of Teacher Union Day.
Members of District 18 strike a pose at the UFT photo booth with Brooklyn District Representative Joseph Surpris (far left).