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Jan. 13 is the deadline to use your Teacher’s Choice funds

You should submit your receipts for Teacher's Choice purchases made between Aug. 1, 2022, and Jan. 13, 2023, along with the Teacher’s Choice Accountability Form detailing your purchases, by Jan. 17, 2023, to your payroll secretary.

Nassau "Not Back To School" Luncheon

After four years, our annual Nassau Section “Not Back to School” Luncheon is returning. Please join us on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, from noon to 3 p.m. at The Inn at New Hyde Park, 214 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park, NY 11040.

Victim Support Program

Did you know there’s a place to turn for support — both at and away from your work site — when tragedy strikes? It’s the Victim Support Program, co-sponsored by the UFT’s Safety and Health Department and the city Department of Education. 


Exercising tech options for phys ed

Digital tools can be helpful additions to physical education classes to enhance student motivation, fine-tune form, accommodate differentiation and offer choices to students.

Per-session activities

Learn all the rules and know your rights with regard to "per-session" activities done outside regular classroom hours.

Open Market Transfer Plan

If you want a new opportunity, wish to work closer to home or have been placed in excess, the Open Market Transfer Plan gives you the chance to apply for a position at another school. This Q&A addresses the most commonly asked questions about the...

Resolution on member engagement during contract negotiations

The UFT will continue to raise our collective voices towards achieving a fair, just and representative contract.

We need climate change curriculum

Short-term disability

In-service UFT members have the protection of a short-term disability plan that can provide valuable income when personal illness renders them temporarily unable to work.

Teacher’s Choice is back

UFT-represented educators once again are eligible for reimbursement for some of their out-of-pocket classroom expenses through Teacher’s Choice.

Teacher’s Choice stays steady

UFT-represented educators will receive roughly the same Teacher's Choice alloment as last year to reimburse them for some of their out-of-pocket expenses for supplemental instructional supplies and materials of their choice.

Optional drug rider reimbursement up to $900

Beginning in March, UFT retirees can expect a partial reimbursement from the UFT Welfare Fund -- for as much as $900 for some retirees -- for the cost of an optional prescription drug rider.

Lack of ratings won’t affect observations

After weeks of negotiations, the DOE agreed to change its position that the lack of ratings in 2019–20 should be a determining factor in the number and type of observations that teachers are required to have this school year. Any tenured teacher...

Love thyself

The longest relationship any of us will have is with ourselves. It’s worth putting time and energy into that relationship and celebrating yourself.

Hochul state budget plan ‘best I’ve seen’

UFT President Michael Mulgrew lauded Gov. Kathy Hochul’s state budget proposal, telling the Delegate Assembly on Jan. 19 that “the starting place for the budget is the best I have ever seen since I’ve been president.”

New teachers join UFT’s ranks

About 1,500 new teachers became proud new members of the UFT at the opening day of the Department of Education’s annual New Teacher Week.


Teacher’s Choice amounts to hold steady

The popular Teacher’s Choice program continues this school year, with eligible UFT-represented educators receiving a reimbursement for some of the supplemental instructional supplies they buy.

In sickness and in death

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...

Testimony on changes in the DOE's COVID-19 protocols and implementation of the vaccine mandate

UFT President Michael Mulgrew testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education regarding changes in the DOE's COVID-19 protocols and implementation of the vaccine mandate.

High schools will reopen on March 22

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that high school buildings will reopen for in-person classes on Monday, March 22. High school staff with in-person assignments will report to their buildings on Thursday, March 18 and Friday, March 19 to set up for the...

Workplace discrimination and harassment

The UFT-DOE contracts contain protections against a wide range of discriminatory or harassing behaviors, including sexual harassment. Federal, state and city laws also provide protections. Here is what you need to know.


School Counselors Chapter Newsletter - October 2025

Information about a chapter survey, IPRs and student services managers.

Designating your beneficiaries

You possess a valuable financial asset from participating in a defined-benefit pension system and saving money in a tax-deferred annuity. That’s why it’s important to designate beneficiaries, keep your beneficiary designations current after life...

Wellness Matters: Physical Health - Taking Care of Your Body

Your body will take you through all the stages of your life. Like a properly maintained machine, your body will work more efficiently when it’s well taken care of.

Ask George

Members with questions about their union rights and benefits can now ask George, the UFT’s automated and interactive UFT Member Hub guide.

Resolution in support of eradicating domestic violence and intimate partner violence

The UFT will work with the City of New York and local coalition partners to educate young people, UFT members and New Yorkers at large about the dangers of domestic violence and intimate partner violence and to offer resources to combat, prevent and...

Tech tools for public speaking

Educators know that speech is integral to fluency so it's no wonder many classroom assignments and projects revolve around public speaking. Here are some tech tools to help practice and perfect speeches.


TRS’ new Roth option

The Teachers’ Retirement System introduced a Roth option in addition to its Tax-Deferred Annuity Program starting in 2026.
Learn about this new opportunity to save for retirement.

Taking stock in students’ skills

Steven Leaderman, a teacher at P370, a District 75 program in Coney Island, has created an innovative vocational program that has his students sort and deliver school supplies. The program helps the students develop key vocational and life skills...

Pandemic-related certification changes

The UFT fought alongside our state affiliate, NYSUT, for amendments to some of the state regulations that govern certification so that educators are not penalized by the interruptions caused by the pandemic.

Building relationships with your students

I have developed five simple strategies for building genuine and affectionate relationships with my students quickly and efficiently early in the school year.

Free assessment apps available

Online forms of classroom assessments can be huge timesavers for educators by providing quick data, instantly compiling student answers and even reducing the amount of grading.

Rules governing work after retirement

Here's what you need to know about making extra income after retirement from the New York City DOE.

Dental care

The UFT Welfare Fund provides dental benefits through two programs: the Scheduled Benefit Plan, which provides services through either a designated panel of dentists or a dentist of your choice; and Dentcare, a no-cost dental HMO.

Better tool to assure special ed compliance

The new contract establishes school-based Special Education Committees and annual training of all staff on special education rules and regulations. Vice President for Special Education MaryJo Ginese writes that these new rights will empower members...

All aboard! SHIP benefits upgraded

The Supplemental Health Insurance Program (SHIP), created by the UFT Retired Teachers Chapter to help members pay for out-of-pocket medical costs, continues to grow in enrollment and to enhance its reimbursement for benefits such as private-duty...