The UFT offers a range of programs for members facing a cancer diagnosis that combine compassionate support with access to top-quality clinical care. The 3D mammogram, a sophisticated new tool, is a recent addition to the mix.


Retired Queens teacher Rebecca Owens-Goldhammer staged a theatrical return to her first love in crafting her Second Act in retirement -- as a designer of theatrical headpieces.

Richard Sacher, who retired from teaching in 2005, has made acting and singing his second act.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew announced a new prerequisite for mayoral candidates who want to be considered for the UFT endorsement: spend a day working — alongside professional educators — in a New York City public school.

Students in Integrated Co-Teaching classes are intentionally grouped together based on similarity of need to receive specially designed instruction. Specific protocols have been established to ensure this model is successful for all participants...

The following Q&A answers some of the most frequently asked questions about the teacher evaluation system for the 2024-25 school year.

How often should we assign homework? How much homework should we give? How much should we weigh homework when we calculate grades? Or should we even assign homework? Hear educators who have grappled with these questions.

As we enter the holiday season, remember to make yourself a priority as well. The end of the year is a good time to reflect on decisions made during the past year: what worked and what didn’t, and how to build better habits. 


"If you're a paraprofessional, please stand up," UFT President Michael Mulgrew said to the crowd at Teacher Union Day on Nov. 6. As scores of paraprofessionals stood to thunderous applause, he turned to Shelvy Young-Abrams, their just-retired chapter...

As much as you might want to toss all your materials in a box and sprint out the door on the last day of school, consider doing your future self a favor by strategically preparing for September in June, thoughtfully packing up your classroom and...

The DOE has issued updated guidance regarding the Eid al-Adha religious observance on June 5 and the clerical day on June 6 for school-based employees.

When I began my teaching career in 2007, more than a quarter of the students at my Queens elementary school were English language learners. Each year, our school seemed to shift its strategy for English as a New Language instruction in a fresh...

Persuading lawmakers to oppose the governor’s proposal to substantially increase the number of charter schools operating in New York City topped the agenda for the nearly 900 UFT members and public school parents who traveled to Albany on March 13 to...

As part of their fight for a fair contract, educators across the city on March 30 set out to make their heavy workload visible to their school communities and to the city during a citywide grade-in.

The following letter from UFT President Michael Mulgrew was issued on Aug. 11 to Mayor Adams, Chancellor Banks and Department of Education officials regarding the anticipated budget cuts for the upcoming 2022-23 school year.

If you’re like many new teachers, you’re working under an Initial, Internship or Transitional B teaching certificate that will eventually expire. With the school year half over, now is a good time to take stock of the progress you’re making toward...

UFT President Michael Mulgrew writes that we will see meaningful improvements in our working conditions — and our students’ learning conditions — this school year as a result of fights we undertook as a union for the changes we need. 


Educators and other professionals can benefit from taking time to reflect, release tension and recharge. Summer is a great time to slow down and reset, but don’t wait for summer for self-care!

The UFT endorses Melinda Katz in her primary for Queens District Attorney, Darcel Clark in her primary election for Bronx District Attorney, and Michael McMahon in his primary election for Staten Island District Attorney.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued a statement in response to Mayor Bill de Blasio's proposed $827 million cuts to education in his executive budget.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued a statement in response to the state Education Department's announcement that it would revise a memo that barred schools from requiring parental consent for in-school COVID-19 testing of students.

This is not the first time the state has earmarked money to reduce class size (previously early grades) only to have the city Department of Education misuse the funds. During the Bloomberg administration, when Joel Klein was the schools chancellor...

UFT President Michael Mulgrew backs a City Council bill that would create an Office of Healthcare Accountability to rein in overcharges by hospitals that a study found inflated employee health care costs by up to $2.4 billion.

Educators have stressful jobs with long hours and a range of challenges, and they may experience burnout as a result. Here are some signs of burnout and ways to address it.

PS 896 in Sunset Park had no chapter leader, delegate or paraprofessional representative, and an administration that placed excessive demands on the staff. The turnaround was stark after Anna Willis, a second-year, untenured teacher, took on the...

Meditation can lower your stress level, reduce anxiety and depression, increase your ability to concentrate and bring a sense of calm and purpose to your life.

Emma Gomez, a new chapter leader job at PS 206 in Rego Park, Queens, organized an action every single weekday in March 2020 as part of the Queens borough office’s March Madness initiative in schools to help boost morale and build strong chapters.

Some 350 guests were treated to fiery lion dancers and a delicious traditional Chinese meal as the UFT Asian Heritage Committee hosted its annual Lunar New Year Banquet. Marian C. Thom, the founder and longtime chair of the committee, was honored.

The holidays are an opportunity to reconnect and celebrate with family and friends, but they can also cause social, emotional and financial stress. So it’s important to take time for yourself and approach the holidays in a way that will preserve your...

IS 383 Chapter Leader Syreeta Dixon refused to back down when her principal violated the DOE-UFT contract in multiple ways in her Bushwick school’s teacher schedule and then threatened to lay off staff when Dixon called her on it.


September is a great time to set your intentions for how you’d like the school year to proceed and put strategies in place to help you achieve your goals.


Summer is a great time to get your diet on track for more energy and a healthier and longer life. How much do you know about the building blocks of a healthy diet? This may be the time to fine-tune—or overhaul—what and how you eat.

More than 1,600 paraprofessionals and fellow UFT members came together from across the city on April 2 to call on the New York City Council to pass legislation to give paraprofessionals an annual “RESPECT check” of $10,000.

Math teacher makes innovative use of dry-erase tables inside her Brooklyn classroom.

Natalie Kavral is a 2011 graduate of the plumbing program at Queens Technical High School. Now, more than a decade later, Kavral, one of only two female plumbing teachers in New York City public schools, teaches plumbing and runs the plumbing program...

Testimony of educators and community members submitted in support of the "RESPECT check" bill for New York City paraprofessionals before the City Council Committee on Civil Service and Labor.