Militancy lost its romance early in Fanny Simon’s life. Only a teenager, she found out that a strike doesn’t guarantee a happy ending. Her father lost his job and the family was uprooted when a strike by glove cutters was crushed.

If you have opted for Medicare’s voluntary prescription drug rider (Part D) for 2025, you may potentially spend less out of pocket for prescription drugs. Under the federal Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, beneficiaries now have a spending cap of $2...

While sitting around the table with my family this past Thanksgiving, we took turns telling each other what we were most thankful for. Well, I forgot to thank the United Federation of Teachers for your $4,000 Albert Shanker college scholarship.

Medicare Part B 2024 reimbursements should have reached eligible retirees by April 2025. IRMAA 2024 reimbursements are scheduled to be issued by October 2025.

Following a three-day strike that shut down the Los Angeles school system, the second largest in the nation, the union representing more than 30,000 teacher’s aides, bus drivers, school cafeteria workers, custodians and other support staff reached a...

The U.S. Department of Education is dropping its appeal of a federal judge’s August 2025 decision that found the Trump administration’s campaign against diversity, equity and inclusion violated the First Amendment and federal procedural rules.

Each year, the United Federation of Teachers proudly awards $1 million in undergraduate and graduate scholarships to academically excellent and financially eligible students from New York City public schools.

Juneteenth, recognized annually on June 19, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and has been celebrated by African-Americans since the late 1800s. The following teaching resources can help teachers honor this history with their...

A salary step is an increase in salary based on experience. With continuous service you move up a half-step twice a year — although there may be no monetary difference between the “A” and “B” levels within one year. These “steps” occur on your...

Twenty-five middle school educators were honored at the UFT’s inaugural Middle School Awards Night on May 15. Some 200 members and guests attended as members' roles in students' lives at at key stage of development were highlighted and celebrated.

The Board and the Union agree that professional involvement of teachers in educational issues should be encouraged. However, it is recognized that there may be differences in professional judgment. School Level back to top Where differences related...

Educators who are serving or who have served in the U.S. military qualify for special leaves of absence and may be eligible for special benefits

October 17, 2007 Randi Weingarten President United Federation of Teachers 52 Broadway – 14th Floor New York, NY 10004 Dear Ms. Weingarten: This letter will confirm certain mutual understandings and agreements of the parties. The parties agree to...

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.

A literacy initiative that focuses on getting students reading on grade level by 3rd grade is the top priority of the city’s Academic Recovery Plan unveiled on July 8 by Mayor Bill de Blasio. The plan details exactly how the city will spend $630...

In an effort to support and boost attendance, a new six-month pilot program and partnership between the UFT's United Community Schools and Clean Rite laundromats will give students and their families at five schools in four boroughs easy access to...

The UFT fought alongside our state affiliate, NYSUT, for amendments to some of the state regulations that govern certification so that educators are not penalized by the interruptions caused by the pandemic.

Retired elementary school teacher Loretta Nardone never outgrew her childhood love of dolls. Instead, she took her collection of dolls from around the world into her classrooms, where she incorporated them into lessons about different cultures and...

Strategies such as journaling, reader’s notes and social-emotional prompts can help students make the leap to making inferences from the fiction and non-fiction they read.

I have developed five simple strategies for building genuine and affectionate relationships with my students quickly and efficiently early in the school year.

A weekly Proofreading Puzzle gives you another opportunity to check in with your students, makes learning visible and develops some of the same skills needed for close reading.

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plan to lift the state’s charter school cap is out of step with the wishes of state residents. A new poll of registered New York voters found that 79% oppose plans to increase the number of charter schools in New York City and...

A coalition of parents and teachers at PS 28 in the Mount Hope section of the Bronx, drawing on the expertise of UFT organizer Betty Zohar, formed in December to prod the police and local officials to clean up the school's entrance, where drug users...

October 17, 2007 Randi Weingarten President United Federation of Teachers 52 Broadway – 14th Floor New York, NY 10004 Dear Ms. Weingarten: This letter will confirm certain mutual understandings and agreements of the parties. The parties agree to...

Randi Weingarten President United Federation of Teachers 52 Broadway – 14th Floor New York, NY 10004 Dear Ms. Weingarten: This letter will confirm certain mutual understandings and agreements of the parties. The parties agree to jointly support...

The DOE’s failure to adequately staff our schools is unacceptable. We have long known that our related service providers were stretched thin, but the numbers from the survey show how untenable the DOE has let the situation become.

If you are planning to create lesson plans related to the DOE's Climate Action Days or want to integrate the topic of climate change more regularly in your classroom, there are many high-quality materials online. 


Assistive technology can be a game changer for special needs students. The following resources can supplement any assistive technology you may already use in your classroom.

There is a room at IS 391 in the Bronx with color-changing lights, soft bean-bag chairs, a gurgling fountain, books and fidget toys.
“We needed a calming place where students could come for counseling, and students and staff could just sit and self...

The federal threats to collective bargaining, Social Security, health care and education funding loomed large at the 53rd annual New York State United Teachers Representative Assembly in Rochester in early May.

UFT members can save money by taking advantage of these discounts on merchandise and services that the union has negotiated on their behalf.


UFT retirees have access to a broad array of social, educational, legal and economic services through the Retired Teachers Chapter.

In July, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced a plan to import the worst part of Medicare Advantage — prior authorizations — into traditional Medicare. Prior authorization requirements will be established for certain traditional...

Every election is important, but one could argue that the general election on Nov. 5 is the single most important election in our lifetime. As union members and public school educators, we have a clear choice: Kamala Harris.
We are also supporting...

Retired special education teacher Hope Kirsch has turned her educational knowhow into a rewarding second act as a lauded special education attorney post retirement.