Because of the disruptions caused by the pandemic in the 2020-21 school year, participating in “Go Pink Day” this year was a hopeful return to a cherished tradition for many UFT members across the city.

As a class, we read the book “Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You,” by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. We learned about how everyone is unique even if you don’t see it.

Enjoy your Halloween weekend!

Incorporating popular culture in the classroom is a way to make what I am trying to teach immediately more relevant and engaging for my students. In my classroom, “texts” can be lyrics, music videos, films, comics, TV shows, graphic novels or even...

The pandemic has been traumatic for everyone. That’s why the UFT successfully advocated for more social workers in schools and social-emotional screenings for all students at the end of October. Here are some other tips to achieve a compassionate...

Podcasts can be used as a novel way to introduce or reinforce subject matter with our students. For those of us concerned about screen time, podcasts are an antidote, and they help sharpen listening skills, too.

The American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer fundraising walks in all five boroughs and on Long Island were canceled last year due to the pandemic, and UFT members showed their support through virtual events. This year, members...

The multiple layers of protection against COVID-19, including the vaccination of all staff and eligible students, are serving our school communities well.

UFT Vice President for Elementary Schools Karen Alford writes that it’s been a stressful year, and the pandemic is still affecting all our lives. Some UFT members have gotten a jump-start on their own social-emotional wellness, with training in...

We are operating in a constantly changing environment. You’re teaching and supporting children while enforcing social distancing and mask-wearing, conducting instructional lunches and navigating partial classroom closures. As flexible as we’ve all...

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...

Erica Boyce, a 4th-grade special education teacher at PS 677 in Brooklyn, turned to the UFT Peer Intervention Program (PIP) to help her adjust to her integrated co-teaching classroom. Since 1988, PIP has helped educators reexamine, refresh and...

How many children are missing from our schools? That’s the question the city Department of Education refuses to answer.

The UFT is backing Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams for mayor and other candidates for citywide and borough offices and City Council in the Nov. 2 general election in New York City.

The UFT has forged a partnership with CUNY’s School of Labor and Urban Studies and Monroe College to provide affordable professional learning opportunities for mid-career teachers seeking credits towards their 30-plus differential.

On Oct. 8, with just three months left in his term, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced plans to phase out the gifted-and-talented program in New York City public schools. But Eric Adams, de Blasio’s likely successor, has ideas about the program that...

The recent revelation from a Facebook whistleblower that the company chooses profits over safety should come as a surprise to no one. But the notion that Instagram was worsening body image issues among teenagers caught my attention.

These observations are too much pressure and mostly a waste of time for teachers and administrators alike

I remember teaching at PS 94 in Little Neck, Queens. When we started to hear about the Twin Towers, the staff was confused, shocked and then horrified. 


The story about the teacher reunited with her former student is a truly beautiful story — a story of a woman who was a dedicated teacher.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew discussed partial classroom closures, the 3-foot rule and other topics at the October 2021 Delegate Assembly.

The dispute between the UFT and the DOE over spring break pay in 2020 will now proceed to arbitration, with a hearing before a neutral arbitrator likely to take place in mid-December.

As early as March 2020, headlines warned of the “learning loss” that students would experience as a result of disrupted and remote schooling. But that phrase misclassifies the real issue and obscures how teachers can best support their students.

Two hundred chapter leaders on Sept. 22 returned to Shanker Hall for the first time since the start of the pandemic to attend the annual citywide chapter leaders meeting. Another thousand participated remotely in the event.

Public servants, including public school educators and nurses, may be on their way to a reduction or elimination of their crushing burden of debt thanks to a landmark settlement announced Oct. 13 between the U.S. Department of Education and the...

In 2000, after several frustrating years, the UFT, NYSUT and the rest of the state’s labor movement convinced New York State to provide an annual, permanent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to retiree pensions.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education in regards to Int. 2374-2021, a bill to amend the administrative code of the city of New York in relation to classroom capacity.

Geofrey Sorkin, UFT Welfare Fund Executive Director, testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education regarding high hospital costs and the impact on healthcare access.

Hispanic Heritage Month ends on Oct. 15. To mark the occasion, I've enjoyed reflecting on the incredible contributions Latino activists have made to our UFT parent and caregiver family. I want to share with you a little information about two such...

The following email was sent from UFT President Michael Mulgrew to a group of DOE functional chapters including school counselors on Monday, Oct. 11.

The UFT endorses 48 candidates to represent their respective districts as City Council members for the 2022-23 two-year term.

At the recommendation of the union’s political action team, the UFT endorses Eric Adams for the New York City mayor, Brad Lander for New York City comptroller, and Jumaane Williams for New York City public advocate; and the UFT endorses Mark Levine...

The union will urge all Council members to select a woman for City Council Speaker when the new Council convenes in January 2022.

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.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew testified before the New York State Senate Committees on Education, NYC Education, and Budget and Revenue to review how school districts are spending Foundation Aid and American Rescue Plan funds.

On Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, all staff in school buildings will have received at least one dose of the vaccine, which marks a major step to keeping our school communities safe for the duration of this pandemic. We are proud that 97% of our membership has...