The United Federation of Teachers opposes developmentally inappropriate practices and works to restore child-initiated play and experiential learning with the active support of teachers in their rightful place at the heart of early childhood...

Because you are a UFT member, you are well on your way to long-term financial well-being. That’s because when you retire, you will have a defined-benefit pension, as rare today as it is valuable.

With the new state budget mandating that New York City make smaller class sizes a priority, UFT President Michael Mulgrew identified 856 high-need city schools with space to reduce class sizes this September.

Michael Buitrago, an ELA teacher at Flushing HS, helps organize events and activities for students to promote school spirit. "I truly believe that a large part of the high school experience is being able to look at your school like a second home," he...

Think about expanding your teaching beyond the walls of your classroom with a field trip. Here are some tips to help you plan a trip.

The following email was sent on March 3, 2023, to all members of the Retired Teachers Chapter from UFT President Michael Mulgrew and Retired Teachers Chapter Leader Tom Murphy.

Brooklyn native Vanecia Wilson, a UFT special representative and 31-year veteran educator, continues her advocacy on behalf of teachers, students and school communities as the union’s new political director.

More than 20,000 UFT members now have their choice of pension systems after a campaign led by members of the UFT Occupational and Physical Therapists Chapter. 


The Tax-Deferred Annuity program is a simple and powerful way to save additional money for your retirement. Your TDA account is funded exclusively through your own contributions.


The UFT has asked the State Education Department to investigate the city Department of Education for its continued failure to provide mandated special education services to students.

The UFT will campaign to establish fair and sustainable cost-of-living adjustments to pensions for retired UFT members and other city workers by significantly improving the COLA benefit.

Each year at the beginning of March, eligible retired members receive a partial reimbursement from the UFT Welfare Fund for the cost of an optional drug rider that provides prescription coverage from their insurance carrier.

The Retired Teachers Chapter and the UFT Welfare Fund are proud to present an in-person series of educational, thought-provoking and entertaining lectures as part of the UFT Florida Center’s Day at the University. Please join us for one or all of...

The city and its Department of Education (DOE) have appealed an Aug. 5 court ruling that invalidated the City Council’s vote on the education portion of the 2022-23 budget, while the Council considers legal options to restore the funding cuts.

Members of the school community at PS 18 in the South Bronx have transformed a brick wall into a mural reflecting the diversity and values that make the UFT United Community School and its neighborhood a vibrant community.

It’s always a good idea to speak with your family about what to do in the event of a debilitating illness or death. Here is a list of topics to discuss with your family and the legal documents you should have. Let trusted family members know where...

The UFT Pension Department offers an array of services to inform members of their retirement benefits and help them prepare for retirement.


Educators at Flushing High School called on the UFT and took a stand when the principal initiated a program that resulted in isolating ELL students. Instead addressing students' learning and language issues, they were isolated in two windowless...

The following email was sent from School Counselors Chapter Leader Rosemarie Thompson to all school counselors on Monday, Jan. 31.

In the RTC's Ocala section in Florida, members new to retirement connect with those in their 70s and 80s, who are the majority in the section and have been enjoying life after school for many years.

The UFT will promote and advocate for practices in our school communities that support children of asylum seekers in adapting to their new language and educational environment.

The New York City Labor Council, AFL-CIO, organizes a rally every May 1 to mark International Workers’ Day. But the size of this year’s event dwarfed those in years past as more than 15,000 union members, including hundreds of UFT members, marched...

UFT President Michael Mulgrew testified before the New York City Council Education Committee regarding school-based education budget cuts for September 2022.

The UFT launched a radio ad campaign on April 30, 2020, to raise awareness that school buildings should not re-open unless there are aggressive testing protocols and procedures in place to ensure the safety and the health of students, educators...

UFT President Michael Mulgrew submitted testimony before the City Council Committees on Education and Civil and Human Rights on diversity and equity in our city's public schools.

The United Federation of Teachers' Delegate Assembly, the union's highest decision-making body, on Monday evening overwhelmingly endorsed a proposed health care plan for 750,000 city employees, in-service, pre-Medicare retirees, and their families.

The UFT will initiate coordination, collaboration, member-to-member education and dialogue, and other joint initiatives with AFT and NEA local and national bodies to defeat the attacks of the federal government on public education.

Chapter Leader Stephanie Isidore of FDNY Captain Vernon A. Richard HS in Brooklyn was an impactful source of comfort and information to her member colleagues in helping them navigate having three different principals over the course of nine months.

At the first Delegate Assembly of the school year on Oct. 11, UFT President Michael Mulgrew stressed the importance of making sure all parts of the new DOE-UFT contract get implemented.


In a world that is increasingly dependent on technology, everyone is a potential victim of fraud. Tens of thousands of Americans fall prey to swindlers each year. But people over the age of 60 are targeted by scammers, often because they are trusting...

Many of us who retire at age 62 can expect to live longer than our forefathers. But to be safe, it's important to prepare by having family discussions about what to do in the event of a debilitating illness or death. Here is a list of topics to...

The UFT connected its members with their state representatives in online meetings from March 7-11 to champion the union’s proven programs — including the United Community Schools initiative, the UFT Teacher Center and the Positive Learning...

School-related professionals playan essential role in supporting the varied needs of students. This issue of the New York Teacher is dedicated to these UFT members. They number more than 46,000 in total in the New York City public school system and...

The benefits of 3-K are solid, with the youngest students gaining the foundation they need to succeed in pre-K and beyond as educators engage them in hands-on activities and play-based learning crucial to developing their young minds.


UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued a statement in response to Mayor Bill de Blasio's announcement regarding changes to the COVID-related school building closure policy.