The LEAP to Teacher Program is offered by the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies in collaboration with the UFT and participating colleges in all five boroughs. The LEAP to Teacher program helps place UFT paraprofessionals at participating...

See changes to teacher programs for elementary school and special education teachers.

Educators will rally for a Fair Contract after school in all five boroughs of New York City on Wednesday, May 24.

The Federation of Nurses/UFT members at Staten Island University Hospital-South ratified a revised contract with Northwell Health that increases wages and steps and puts them on par with nurses at other unions that have negotiated contracts in the...

View the winners of the Outstanding Paraprofessional Awards at the 2023 Parafest.

Paraprofessional salary schedule (2022–27)

Get additional answers to concerns regarding the new proposed contract.

Federation of Nurses/UFT members who are licensed practical nurses with VNS Health overwhelmingly ratified a contract on Jan. 27 that provides a 7.5% increase in base pay over two years while establishing the employer’s contractual obligation to...

In the few short weeks since new City Council members were sworn in, we’ve hit the ground running. Our paraprofessionals have had meetings with at least 12 members of the city council so far and more appointments have been scheduled.

More than 4,000 hotel and casino workers on the Las Vegas Strip reached a tentative contract with the Venetian Resort Las Vegas, the latest in a string of recent union victories for over 40,000 hospitality workers on the Strip.


LEAP to Teacher provides free, specialized support services for paraprofessionals and teachers employed by the DOE who are pursuing higher education and advancing their careers in teaching or any other field of study.

Just two of this school year’s grievances over excessive class sizes citywide remained unresolved by Thanksgiving — thanks to a powerful provision in the 2018 Department of Education-UFT contract.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew told delegates at the Delegate Assembly on Nov. 17 that the union plans to seek extensive member input to help shape priorities for upcoming negotiations on the next contract and health care.

Testimony of Michael Mulgrew, UFT President, Priscilla Castro, Chairperson of the UFT Paraprofessionals Chapter, and others delivered in support of the "RESPECT check" bill for New York City paraprofessionals before the New York City Council.

Testimony of Michael Mulgrew, UFT President, Priscilla Castro, Chairperson of the UFT Paraprofessionals Chapter, and others delivered in support of the "RESPECT check" bill for New York City paraprofessionals at the Nov. 13, 2025 City Council hearing...

The Lead Teacher Assistant is an annual position for in-service, full-time paraprofessionals that enables them to play a more diverse role supporting student needs in the classroom and school. Lead Teacher Assistants support instruction in the...

On this episode, the United Federation of Teacher's President Michael Mulgrew is joined by UFT Paraprofessional Chapter Leader Shelvy Young-Abrams to discuss the highlights and significance of the new contract with regards to paras.

Each year, the UFT recognizes outstanding paraprofessionals who have made contributions to their school, their community and their union. Please use the link below to nominate a full-time paraprofessional for this award. The nomination deadline is...

Paraprofessionals who have been arrested will no longer be automatically suspended without pay, under the DOE’s updated policy, to resolve the UFT’s union-initiated grievance that challenged the unfairness of automatic suspensions. Paraprofessionals...

A Brooklyn paraprofessional says passage of the "RESPECT," saying she and her colleagues deserve to be shown they're valued.

Take principals out of play. A school counselor counsels the DOE about how best to address the paraprofessional shortage.

The Delegate Assembly of the UFT votes to encourage members of all titles to sign the petition to support the Respect Check legislation, alert parent associations about how parents can show support, and hold a day of action on November 13th, 2025.

The workday of a substitute para is based on a workday of 6 hours and 50 minutes, inclusive of lunch. The student day ends after 6 hours and 20 minutes. The school to which the para is assigned has the discretion to decide whether the substitute must...

The workday of a substitute para is based on a workday of 6 hours and 50 minutes, inclusive of lunch. The student day ends after 6 hours and 20 minutes. The school to which the para is assigned has the discretion to decide whether the substitute must...

The United Federation of Teachers will testify today in support of the City Council's proposed "RESPECT check" legislation that would provide every New York City paraprofessional an annual $10,000 payment in addition to their regular salary.

Educational paraprofessionals who work in activities other than their regular assignments are paid a per session rate for the hours worked. Per session is a positive payment that is issued along with regular payments. Because per session is a...