“You have reached the promised land,” UFT President Michael told 650 cheering audience members at the union’s annual New Retiree Luncheon at the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan on Nov. 26. “You had hope and passion to change children’s lives,” he said, “and you did.”

UFT members and guests celebrated the African American holiday of Kwanzaa at the union’s Brooklyn borough office on Dec. 19. Kwanzaa — a non-denominational celebration that lasts for a week, from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 — combines customs from several cultures and enables African Americans to connect with and honor their heritage and culture.

School secretaries came from every corner of the city to UFT headquarters on a Saturday for a day of professional development, networking and mutual support.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew met with educators at John Dewey HS in Gravesend, Brooklyn, to update them on political and educational news and to learn about the school’s innovative programs.

Hundreds of social workers and psychologists spent a snowy Saturday at UFT headquarters attending professional development sessions about test anxiety, LGBTQ inclusive schools and more at their UFT chapter’s 14th annual Clinicians Appreciation Day.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew met with staff at PS 811 in Queens on Jan. 22 to discuss various education and union issues and also checked in on members during a tour of the building.

Members from District 79 schools throughout the city gathered at Dallas BBQ in the Chelsea section of Manhattan on Oct. 29 for a Meet the President event with UFT President Michael Mulgrew.

Art educators converged on Beacon HS in Manhattan on Oct. 26 for a day of workshops and celebration at the 38th citywide Art Education Conference sponsored by the New York City Art Teachers Association and the UFT.

More than 100 Staten Island parents, grandparents, guardians and education activists came to IS 2 in Midland Beach for the 10^th annual UFT Staten Island Parent Conference to learn about college, bullying, special education and other topics of interest to public school parents.

More than 100 school psychologists celebrated the sixth annual Psychologists Appreciation Day both in person and remotely with workshops and networking on Nov. 10 at UFT headquarters in Manhattan.