Keynote speaker Eric Litwin, the original author of the “Pete the Cat” series, told stories and sang songs as he encouraged the 400 members who attended the UFT’s 16th annual Early Childhood Conference at UFT headquarters to put their whole selves into reading and acting out books for young readers. Members attended hands-on workshops about creating literacy activities, activities for English language learners, fun math games and more.

Acupuncture can stimulate the body’s natural healing mechanisms and promote physical and emotional well-being. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Nicholas Sieben, a licensed acupuncturist and healer based in New York City, shares his personal journey with Chinese medicine and discusses how acupuncture can be used to manage chronic conditions and decrease mental stress.

Nearly 700 paraprofessionals attended the UFT’s annual Paraprofessionals Festival & Awards Luncheon on March 23 at the New York Hilton in Midtown Manhattan. Fifteen paraprofessionals were honored for their outstanding service. Attendees participated in workshops to strengthen their practice and enjoyed a carnival featuring games and self-care. This year’s theme was “Superheroes of Education: Celebrating our Paraprofessional Powers.”

Hundreds of school counselors gathered at UFT headquarters for their chapter’s 20th annual conference. Eager to connect and network with colleagues, counselors heard from UFT leaders and speakers in the field and participated in a day of professional development workshops.

The UFT Muslim Educators Committee celebrated its first Iftar dinner on March 15 at UFT headquarters. Members broke their Ramadan fast, prayed, socialized and celebrated.

More than 350 UFT members, family and friends gathered at a Chinese restaurant in Chinatown on March 15 for the UFT Asian Heritage Committee’s annual Lunar New Year banquet.

Nearly 1,000 educators, parents and advocates traveled on buses to attend the UFT’s annual Lobby Day in Albany. They asked state lawmakers to add more checks and balances to mayoral control of New York City public schools, fix Tier 6 of the pension system, require the city to follow the state's class size law and increase state foundation aid for New York City.

More than 1,000 school social workers gathered at UFT headquarters and remotely on March 8 for a day of professional learning focused on holistic wellness.