UFT members stride through the halls as they begin their day of lobbying elected officials about the most pressing issues facing their schools.

On the bus up to Albany, educators review their legislative briefing materials and catch up with each other.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew addresses the member-lobbyists.

State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (center) stands with UFT members from District 11 in the Bronx.

Speaker Heastie’s remarks were met with a standing ovation by members.

In her remarks at the Convention Center, Hazel Dukes, the past president of the NAACP (center in yellow cap), told the member-lobbyists, “I’ll fight for public education ‘til hell freezes over.” She is shown here with a group of educators who are about to begin their lobbying visits.

New York State Senator Toby Stavisky (speaking) catches up with educators Sharon Stanley, who is retired, and Alycia Morell of PS 79.

Senate Minority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (at right) speaks with (from left) Brandon Melendez of PS 143 in Queens, Jory Stark of HS of Applied Communication and Anna White, of PS 110 in Queens.

A group from District 31 on Staten Island is ready to lobby.

After addressing the audience, Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan (at right), the chair of the Assembly Education Committee, meets with (from left) Ann Craven, from the Young Women’s Leadership School in Astoria; James Vasquez, the UFT’s Queens HS representative; Anthony DeBetta, also from the Young Women’s Leadership School in Queens; and Rona Freiser, the UFT Queens borough representative.

Dwayne Clark, the UFT Manhattan borough representative (standing, far left), is with an enthusiastic group of District 5 members.

State Senator Adriano Espaillat meets with a group of educators who share the challenges they face and the resources they need.

Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis from Staten Island (in purple jacket) proudly shows the Fight Cuomo button that educators gave her.