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Testimony on the new phonics-based curriculum and dyslexia screening
Mary Vaccaro, UFT Vice President for Education, submitted testimony before the oversight hearing of the New York City Council Education Committee jointly with the Committee on State and Federal Legislation on the new phonics-based curriculum and...
Resolution to call on the Panel for Educational Policy to end high-stakes standardized testing in grades 3-5
The UFT calls on the Panel for Educational Policy to end high-stakes standardized testing in grades 3-5 so schools and teachers can focus on curriculum that promotes students’ academic performance as well as their well-being.
Resolution on improving climate-related readiness and preparation for NYC public schools
The DOE and the UFT shall reassess existing safety plans to enhance preparedness for climate-induced incidents. The city should err on the side of safety and proactively utilize remote instruction when impending emergencies are detected.
Substitute teacher and paraprofessional resolution
The UFT calls for more flexibility in the nomination of substitute teachers and paraprofessionals, and for the DOE to consider a Hard-to-Staff differential for substitutes serving schools that have had difficulty filling positions.
Resolution in support of migrant families
The UFT will fight the mayor's unnecessary budget cuts and reaffirm that we are proud to serve all students in this city regardless of migration status.
Time to get real about New York City’s budget
UFT President Michael Mulgrew wrote an op-ed in the New York Daily News about the mayor's proposed budget cuts and the crisis it will create for our city.
UFT supports Small Class Size Working Group's recommendations to make state law a reality
UFT President Michael Mulgrew spoke in support of the New York City DOE's Class Size Working Group's recommendations for implementing the state law to reduce class sizes.
Testimony on the mayor's November financial plan
UFT President Michael Mulgrew submitted testimony before the New York City Council Committee on Finance on the impact of the mayor's proposed budget cuts.
Reignite your holiday spirit
Give yourself permission to slow down, relax and find your own unique ways of celebrating the season.
Mayor Adams must protect children’s right to shelter
The United Federation of Teachers is calling on Mayor Adams to abandon his administration’s plans to evict children and their parents from the city’s emergency shelters after 60 days.
Testimony on immigrant students in New York City public schools
Mary Vaccaro, UFT Vice President for Education, submitted testimony before the New York City Council Education and Immigration Committees Oversight Hearing on immigrant students in New York City public schools.
Putting the ‘giving’ in Thanksgiving
"I got a scarf!" 6-year-old Daisy exclaimed to her friends as she excitedly pulled a pink knitted scarf out of her bag. The scarf matched her new winter coat and the pink heart painted on her face by a Queens Technical HS cosmetology student.
More than 300,000 NYC students in high-need schools stuck in oversized classes
United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew, joined by parents, educators, advocates, and elected officials, announced today that a union survey has shown that — despite the claims by critics — more than 300,000 students in the city’s...
UFT President Michael Mulgrew on City Hall cuts to education funding
UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued a statement regarding the deep budget cuts announced for New York City public schools.
Resolution to promote humanitarianism in the Middle East
The United Federation of Teachers calls upon those working to de-escalate the conflict also work to promote humanitarianism. The UFT remains committed to the founding principles of building across differences for a better world.
UFT Statement on DOE–SCA Proposed Capital Plan
The UFT issued a statement in response to the proposed five-year capital plan recently issued by the New York City School Construction Authority.
Effective communication
Communication is essential for building positive relationships at work. It fosters teamwork and collaboration, and it helps everyone to thrive. But what are the building blocks of good communication?
William Valentin, paraprofessional for hearing impaired students
As a one-on-one paraprofessional in a third and fourth grade DHHES classroom at PS 333 in the Bronx, William Valentin supports Deaf and hearing impaired students with their communication, educational and behavioral needs.
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...
Paras get Teacher’s Choice money
After years of advocacy by the UFT, paraprofessionals will be included in the Teacher’s Choice program for the first time this school year.
No longer alone
A pre-K teacher and the UFT chapter leader at PS 150 in Queens, Jeanine Bradley has found her voice as an advocate, both in the community and at her school, for people with Crohn’s and for her fellow educators. And she makes sure her students, no...
Make connections with hexagonal thinking
How do you teach elaboration, “adding on” and targeted vocabulary without making student discussion feel forced? Enter hexagonal thinking.
The over-80 crowd
Of the 80,000-plus retirees and spouses who receive a pension check each month, more than 17,000 are 80 or older.
Tax-deferred annuity can boost retirement income
If you are a member of TRS or BERS, you have a voluntary, supplemental savings plan in addition to your define benefit pension. This savings plan with low fees allows you to build personal savings on a tax-deferred basis.
Protecting kids on social media
State Attorney General Letitia James and Gov. Kathy Hochul — along with UFT President Michael Mulgrew — unveiled new legislation to safeguard children online on Oct. 11 at UFT headquarters.
Florida Center’s Day at the University
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...
Easing tension and defusing pain as a chaplain
Susan Kramer has always been the type of person that people gravitate toward when they are struggling with a life dilemma or need advice and support. After retiring at the end of the 2020-21 school year, she saw an ad for a course with the United...
Targeted support for retired paraprofessionals
A monthslong UFT initiative to reach out to retired paraprofessionals, connect them with union services and support, and encourage them to get involved in the Retired Teachers Chapter culminated with a meet and greet at UFT headquarters on Sept. 19.
Staying vigilant vs. Big Pharma
It’s unclear whether the pharmaceutical corporations like being called Big Pharma. Nicknames for monopolies, such as Ma Bell for AT&T, were comforting in an earth mother sort of a way. But in senior circles, Big Pharma is uttered with contempt.
Integrated co-teaching classes
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...
‘Lots of smiling faces’
At the PS 14 family resource fair in Queens, more than 400 PS 14 family members and students checked out information booths from 15 partner organizations, participated in activities like board games and dancing and took advantage of book giveaways...
Support for asylum-seeking families
We are facing a crisis in our school system that we are handling largely on our own: Over the past 18 months, more than 20,000 children from asylum-seeking families have arrived in our schools. Yet no one in leadership seems to be talking about or...
UFT nurses in staffing fight
The Federation of Nurses/UFT is in a pitched battle with NYU Langone Hospital–Brooklyn over short staffing that the union contends is putting patients at risk.
UFT focuses on four contested City Council races
The UFT has made endorsements in all but one City Council race and in the district attorney races in the Nov. 7 election, but the union’s borough political action committees have been focusing on four contested Council races: one in the Bronx, one in...