The historical curiosity of 1st-graders at Manhattan's PS 4 is sparked when co-teachers Lizette Lantigua and Yomayra Gomez take them on a class trip to the 260-year-old Morris-Jumel Mansion, Manhattan's oldest surviving residence.

As of Aug. 6, the DOE had hired more than 2,300 educators for the 3,700 open positions for class size reduction — about 62% of the need. The progress is significant, but the UFT notes that with hiring shortages throughout the city school system, the...

The new academic year marks the start of the statewide bell-to-bell ban on cellphones and any other internet-enabled electronic communication devices in schools. The UFT successfully fought for the restriction to help students focus.

In a sign that the pandemic has drawn fully to a close, the city Department of Education’s special COVID-19 leave policy ends this school year. Absenses related to COVID-19 will be charged to members' sick bank.

UFT Chapter Leader Keesha Hopkins successfully led the charge that saved her school, the Brooklyn Academy of Science and Environment, from being merged with another high school co-located in the same building.

A new middle school teacher in the Bronx learns that her fellow teachers are willing to guide and support her when she broke down in tears in the staff lounge after an overwhelming day.


UFT member and parent volunteers handed out about 250 backpacks filled with school supplies to famiiies during Harlem Week festivities on Aug. 18.

More than 1,000 families received backpacks and other school supplies at the union's fourth annual back-to-school supplies giveaway and barbecue on Aug. 7 at PS 21 on Staten Island.

This summer, the AFT and the UFT announced a $23 million partnership with Microsoft, Open AI and Anthropic to forge a first-of-its-kind teacher institute for artificial intelligence: the National Academy for AI Instruction. 


Research shows a positive impact on students when teachers and families are able to work together effectively. Here are UFT Teacher Center tips and strategies to establish a solid relationship between home and school.

Pre-K teacher Melysa Solomon of Manhattan's PS 343 has come up with an innovative way to provide students with their snacks throughout the day.

The United Federation of Teachers represents nearly 200,000 members, including a diverse group of some 78,000 teachers and 26,000 paraprofessionals as well as school counselors, school nurses, social workers and psychologists, occupational and...

School nurse is swamped with cases of 'cellphone withdrawal'!

A retired New York City public school teacher responds to a New York Teacher article about one of her former students.

We are going on year five using the Yondr-and-collect method at my middle school in the Bronx with about 350 children. We had small challenges in the first couple of years until we ironed out our system.

A school social worker shares their experience with using Yondr pouches to collect cellphones.

UFT in-service and retiree members comment on everything from the need for the DOE to promptly reimburse occupational and physical therapists to the benefit of school cellphone bans.

The Municipal Labor Committee (MLC) and the city today reached a tentative agreement with EmblemHealth/United Healthcare on a proposed health care plan for 750,000 city employees, pre-Medicare retirees, and their families.

The Municipal Labor Committee (MLC) and the city have reached a tentative agreement with EmblemHealth/UnitedHealthcare on a new health care plan for in‑service and pre-Medicare New York City employees.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew said that the rise in test scores in both ELA and math is a testament to the hard work by New York City educators and our students.

If you’re dreaming of a summer getaway, now’s the time to go! Whether you travel near or far, you’ll benefit in many ways from a change of scenery and change of pace. What matters most is getting a break from your usual routine by seeing and...

The UFT and the DOE reached an agreement in spring of 2025 to improve transparency and fairness in the school transfer process for occupational and physical therapists.

The Federation of Nurses/UFT has officially been granted its reaccredation as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) from June 2025 to November 2029.

The United Federation of Teachers' Delegate Assembly, the union's highest decision-making body, voted Tuesday evening to endorse Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor in the general election.

Public school students and educators deserve a mayor who listens and responds to their concerns, and city workers deserve a mayor who prioritizes affordability and quality of life. Zohran Mamdani is the candidate who will best serve this city.

Running through a sprinkler on a hot day. The taste of corn fresh from the grill. Swimming in a river, lake, ocean or pool. These are but a few of the joys of summer. Make sure to be in the moment and savor the simple pleasures of these long, bright...

The city and the Municipal Labor Committee (MLC) are in the process of negotiating an improved health care plan for all New York City public employees and pre-Medicare city retirees with EmblemHealth/UnitedHealthcare (UHC).

The UFT has turned up the pressure on City Council leaders to bring the "RESPECT check" bill for paraprofessionals to a committee hearing and a vote. Forty-seven of 51 City Council members have co-sponsored the bill and more than 104,000 people have...

UFT President Michael Mulgrew, UFT officers, educators and elected officials called on City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams to schedule a public hearing on the proposed "Paraprofessional Respect" bill.

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.

Some 200 nurses and their families filled Shanker Hall for the Federation of Nurses/UFT’s annual Nurse Recognition Day dinner on May 8 to honor members for their union activism and patient advocacy.

The Department of Education’s Open Market Transfer System gives UFT members the opportunity to transfer to a different school.

UFT members can save money by taking advantage of these discounts on merchandise and services that the union has negotiated on their behalf.


Regarding the recent death of Joan Davis, chapter leader at PS 100 in Brooklyn.

Regarding the recent death of Ron Jones, former UFT vice president for elementary schools.

It was nice to read the article about Jermaine Coley, the school counselor at PS 284 in Brooklyn [“Providing ‘fatherly’ guidance,” April 11, 2025, issue].