That depends on your job. If you are an appointed teacher, paraprofessional or other pedagogue in a city public school, you automatically become a member of the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), which provides your pension. Your contributions to...

Lesson study is a standards-based collaborative process used to improve instruction. One of the goals of this instructional planning model is to identify academic achievement gaps and students’ challenges. Teachers will then examine and refine...

January 31, 2001 Lucille Swaim Coordinator of Negotiations United Federation of Teachers 260 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 RE: 2001-2002 Collective Bargaining Agreement between VNSNY Home Care and United Federation of Teachers Dear Ms...

A court hearing was held on Nov. 23 before a state judge presiding over the lawsuits involving the NYC Medicare Advantage Plus Plan. Nothing was decided. The two sides agreed to continue to talk and will go back before the judge on Dec. 8.

Fara Shahryary, 2nd-grade ICT teacher, and her co-teacher at PS 58 in Carroll Gardens created a chart that makes student transitions between stations smoother and quicker.

At food pantries and distribution efforts run by UFT-supported United Community Schools, monthly or weekly programs help meet the nutritional needs of struggling families across the city. The pantries are a safe haven for many immigrant families...

Move-to-Improve is a free classroom-based physical activity program that helps elementary school teachers in district public schools enhance their lessons by integrating physical activity into academic instruction to get students moving.

The UFT calls for greater oversight by the DOE to ensure full compliance with our students' special education and English language learner mandates.

Hear from fellow educators about the crucial educational and socio-emotional skills 3-K and pre-K programs provide to our youngest students.

Curious if you’re being paid what you deserve? Check out the new UFT Salary Checkup tool in the UFT Member Hub.

The UFT Delegate Assembly voted on March 19 to endorse UFT Treasurer Victoria Lee for reelection as a teacher-member of the New York City Teachers’ Retirement System board.


Authentic assessment allows teaching teams to gather information about children's development and learning through observation notes, photos, and work samples.

The United Federation of Teachers represents nearly 200,000 members, including a diverse group of some 78,000 teachers and 26,000 paraprofessionals as well as school counselors, school nurses, social workers and psychologists, occupational and...

Yes, NYSED created a new Literacy (All Grades) certificate which may be applied for through the individual evaluation pathway as of June 29, 2022. This new Literacy (All Grades) certificate replaced the Literacy (Birth-Grade 6) and Literacy (Grades 5...

As of Sept. 28, 2022, the state Education Department created a new Students with Disabilities (All Grades) certificate that permits teachers to teach students with disabilities in pre-K through Grade 12 in New York State public schools. The Students...

Paraprofessionals have the security of knowing they will receive a pension check every month for the rest of their lives after they retire as members of the Teachers' Retirement System. Learn all you need to know about this key benefit.

UFT members are guaranteed a dignified and secure retirement that includes a defined-benefit pension.

CookShop, the federally funded nutrition education program of the Food Bank For New York City, helps children, teens and adults develop the nutrition knowledge and cooking skills to make healthy food choices on a limited budget, and fosters...

The best place to get informed and involved is your local school. The principal at your school is ultimately responsible for addressing any concerns you may have. But, in addition to working with your principal, there are other ways to gather...

Colleagues and students create a mosaic mural to remember Rulx Dagus, a paraprofessional at P 369K in Park Slope, Brooklyn, who died of COVID-19.

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.

While the national union may seem distant from our activist local in New York City, we are, in fact, an integral part of the AFT. The AFT’s bird’s eye view keeps us involved in national issues and policies that affect the wider labor movement and...

It’s time again for Retired Teachers Chapter elections. Every three years, RTC members vote to elect who they want to lead their chapter. 


Wadleigh Secondary School for the Performing and Visual Arts, described by its staff as a “hidden gem” in Harlem, has overcome two threats of closure. Today the revitalized school, which won a Team High School Award at the union’s Academic High...

Just like the students, teachers and schools needed last year to transition back to business as usual, though perhaps with a new definition of usual. Already I can recognize and appreciate the changes my administration has made to address problems...

For New York City’s approximately 1 million public school students, a strong CTE program is a sure pathway to economic stability. But for too long, our CTE programs were treated like a backup plan, the place kids were sent when someone decided...

UFT Vice President for Academic High Schools Janella Hinds writes that when it comes to our academic high schools and the broader New York City public school system, we need to lead — not follow — on innovation that affects our practice.

A. Annuity Fund The Board shall contribute at the rate of $400 per year to the Teachers’ Retirement System to be credited monthly to the annuity account of each laboratory specialist and laboratory technician who is at the maximum step of his/her...

The UFT works closely with thousands of parents across the city to help ensure that their children and all New York City students receive a great education.

District 11's annual scholarship dinner on May 5 at Villa Barone celebrated the collaboration between the UFT and school administrations and all they do for the students in the Bronx district.

UFT founder George Altomare and longtime Bronx district representative Patricia Filomena -- both former chairs of the UFT Italian-American Heritage Committee -- were honored at the committee's first in-person event since before the pandemic.

Teachers in over 1,000 New York City public schools will lead labor “Teach-Ins” for fellow educators to brainstorm ways to fight for a fair contract for members of the United Federation of Teachers.

TRS may ask retirees to complete a Retirement Allowance Verification Form annually. If you receive such a letter, don't ignore it.

PS/IS 268 science teacher Maria Katsanos uses an engaging lesson to teach about genes and inherited traits.