The Supplemental Health Insurance Program (SHIP) is a unique package of benefits developed by the Retired Teachers Chapter of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT-RTC) exclusively for its members. It provides a supplement to coverage available...

No, schools must meet the mandates for special education and ENL. Sometimes schools attempt to excess a person who is mandated in order for a school to be in compliance, but DOE reviews those excesses and often stops them from happening.

Eligible educators can deduct from their federal income taxes up to $300 of unreimbursed expenses for books, supplies, computer equipment (including related software and services), other equipment and supplementary materials they use in the classroom...

Members receive their Teacher’s Choice allotment as part of their regular paycheck, not as a supplemental check, usually in mid-to-late November each year. Since Teacher’s Choice is treated as a post-net payroll adjustment, the funds are nontaxable.

The Chapter Leader and the Principal consult on the activities, number of positions, qualifications, and duties and responsibilities for each activity. Teachers should be given a preference sheet with all of that information listed, and they get to...

The offices of the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) are located at: 55 Water Street New York, NY 10041 (888) 869-2877 Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am - 5pm Directions: 2/3 to Wall Street, 4/5 to Bowling Green Station, J to Broad Street or R/W to...

Classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, school counselors, social workers and psychologists, occupational and physical therapists, school nurses, school secretaries, lab specialists, reading coaches and single shepherds all receive funds through...

There could be an excessing condition at a given 3-K/pre-K site. In such a case, excessing would be done in reverse seniority order. Early childhood-licensed teachers are grouped with common branch teachers, so the least senior teachers with those...

If you would like that option, teachers may choose to be videotaped during their Initial Planning Conference with their evaluator. Videotaping can’t happen without a teacher’s consent on the form that is handed in during the IPC.

The UFT and DOE have collaborated to develop new joint training sessions regarding the evaluation system. All employees--teachers, administrators, and other evaluators--will receive the same training so everyone is on the same page regarding...

Teachers who hold professional teaching certificates and paraprofessionals who hold Level III teaching assistant certificates need to earn CTLE hours. Teachers who hold entry-level certificates (initial, conditional initial, Transitional A...

No, union dues for members of the Retired Teachers Chapter (RTC) will be automatically deducted from your monthly pension. The RTC dues are .004% of your monthly pension.

If you receive Teacher’s Choice funds in your paycheck and do not submit an accountability form with receipts by the January deadline, the DOE will take back the money from a future paycheck.

Applications for the Retired Teachers Chapter (RTC) get processed on your date of retirement, however, due to a high volume of applicants, please allow for up to one week to complete the process.

When filling out your application to join the Retired Teachers Chapter (RTC), please include your name, file number/UFT ID number, exact retirement date, current contact information and pension provider. To avoid a delay in processing, please...

SETSS isn’t a class. It is a support service that may be provided to students with disabilities in the general ed classroom or elsewhere for at least three hours a week and it can include consultation with the child’s teacher. There may not be more...

Newly hired teachers and school clinicians in certain shortage areas in select districts may be eligible for the Department of Education Loan Forgiveness Program for their student loans. Your DOE hire date must be between Sept. 3 and Nov. 15 of the...

Yes. You may use your three personal business days for religious observance. These will be deducted from your CAR (sick bank) or you may take a pay deduction for each day that you do not report to work. The deducted amount will equal the amount that...

Please send an email to Suzanne Popadin, Editor of New York Teacher at New_York_Teacher [at] uft [dot] org (New_York_Teacher[at]uft[dot]org). Please include the best phone number where we will be able to reach you.

Yes. The UFT's Supplemental Health Insurance Program (SHIP) is a unique package of benefits developed by the UFT's Retired Teachers Chapter exclusively for its members. See more about SHIP benefits for RTC members »

The general education or content area teacher has primary responsibility for delivery of content area instruction in an ICT class.

Teachers who have completed three years of teaching and are striving to further their growth may want to consider working toward National Board Certification — a designation that not only would bring them to the city’s second salary differential, but...

Please send your information about the event to New_York_Teacher [at] uft [dot] org (New_York_Teacher[at]uft[dot]org) as early in advance of the event as possible. Please be sure to include the contact information where you can be reached.

Yes, you can send both enrollment applications for the RTC and SHIP together in the envelope included in the retirement packet you were given at your final pension consultation. However, to avoid a delay in processing, you also have the option of...

Teachers must be given sufficient time to prepare their classrooms, which is usually at least half a day.

Items purchased with Teacher’s Choice funds are the property of the DOE. These purchases must remain at your school for use in your classroom or office assignment; they cannot be taken to a different location if you transfer to a different school...

Co-teachers must collaboratively plan, prepare and facilitate lessons, activities and projects, so they must be given regular common-planning time during the workday. According to the 2023 contract, ​​schools with professional activity periods will...

To apply for salary credit for prior work experience, CTE teachers must fill out the DOE’s credit for prior experience form and email it to SalaryDifferentialApplications [at] schools [dot] nyc [dot] gov (SalaryDifferentialApplications[at]schools[dot]nyc[dot]gov) See more about salary differentials and prior work experience...

The DOE provides eligible paraprofessionals with a 40-day paid leave of absence to complete student teaching requirements if paraprofessionals are enrolled in a program to earn credentials to become full-time teachers as there are instances when...

Members shouldn’t refuse a principal’s directive because they may be charged with insubordination. Members may file a grievance if discussion of concerns with administration (and with the chapter leader’s support) can’t solve the situation otherwise.

As a service to retired UFT members, the UFT Welfare Fund will process the hearing-aid reimbursement for retirees who are enrolled in the Supplemental Health Insurance Program (SHIP). For more information about SHIP, visit our main SHIP information...

Any advertising questions should be directed to Jackie Gottlieb. She can be reached at 212-598-7735 or via email at NYT_advertising [at] uft [dot] org (NYT_advertising[at]uft[dot]org).

You may update your permanent home address and/or other contact information by logging in to the TRS website. Any updated information that you provide to TRS through their website will take effect immediately. As an alternative, TRS in-service...

While paraprofessionals must be available to change soiled diapers or clothes promptly, teachers are responsible for the health and safety of the classroom environment and should take any steps necessary to maintain a safe and clean environment, such...

You must register in advance for all UFT Teacher Center credit-bearing courses. For course registration, visit https://www.uft.org/teaching/professional-development/courses-workshops.

Before you retire you have: The right to borrow from your TRS account. The right to participate in the TRS tax-deferred annuity program. Benefits for your family if you die after one year of service. After you retire you receive: A guaranteed pension...