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Kudos to Catrina Como, PS 376, Brooklyn
When Catrina Como became chapter leader at PS 376 in Brooklyn, she faced a tricky situation: The principal was demanding, and staff did not know their rights and were reluctant to speak up for themselves. “I work with a lot of amazing teachers who...
Fulfilling professional state certification
If you’re like many new teachers, you’re working under an Initial, Internship or Transitional B teaching certificate that will eventually expire. With the school year half over, now is a good time to take stock of the progress you’re making toward...
Bobbleheads of U.S. presidents
Michael Frank, a history teacher at the HS of Environmental Studies, has bobbleheads of most of the U.S. presidents in his classroom to make the content come alive.
‘Wall of silence’ cracks
I felt guilty that I was not able to understand or communicate with my pre-verbal students in District 75. I was pouring my heart and soul into lessons, only to be met with silence. The weight of these challenges pressed down on me, and depression...
UFT holiday party and toy drive
The UFT decked the halls with joy and toys when it invited 100 students from 10 city shelters to UFT headquarters on Dec. 16 for its annual holiday party in partnership with the Coalition for the Homeless.
CTE Division’s Impact on Achievement Conference
The UFT Career and Technical Education Division’s Impact on Achievement Conference, which was held virtually on Jan. 29, focused on artificial intelligence in the classroom and in the professional sectors for which CTE education prepares students.
Clinicians Appreciation Day
About 400 school social workers and psychologists gathered at UFT headquarters, and another 900 joined remotely, for a day of professional development to mark Clinicians Appreciation Day on Jan. 12.
UFT African Heritage Committee’s awards dinner
The 20th annual UFT African Heritage Committee’s awards dinner, held on Feb. 2 at Antun’s of Queens Village, was bigger than ever this year, befitting its landmark anniversary.
Union presents legislative priorities to state lawmakers
UFT President Michael Mulgrew and other union officers gathered at the Corning Tower Observation Deck in Albany on Jan. 29 to make the case for the union’s 2024 legislative priorities with state lawmakers. “We have a lot of challenges, as always, in...
The city is broke. (Not!)
Mayor Eric Adams makes mid-year cuts to school budgets even though the city has reserves of more than $8 billion, a new record high.
Tax deduction for educators now $300
Eligible educators can deduct from their federal income taxes up to $300 of unreimbursed expenses from 2023 for books, supplies, computer equipment and other materials they use in the classroom. The agency raised the deduction from $250 to $300 for...
Trump’s place on the ballot and the Constitution
With the recent decision by the secretary of state of Maine to bar former President Donald Trump from the ballot based upon the contention that his words and actions violated the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment, the Constitution is being tested in...
Sensory rooms are necessary
Every school ought to possess one of these. Even football stadiums are adopting them now, and they’re prevalent in airports in other countries. Their significance for students cannot be overstated.
The need to ‘Fix Tier 6’
Tier 6 members also have to pay into the pension for their entire career whereas we contributed for only 10 years. Work needs to be done to fix this.
Proceed with caution on phonics-based instruction
Gov. Hochul's push for phonics-based reading sparks debate. Critics urge a balanced approach, emphasizing comprehension and meaningful texts to cultivate a love for reading.
'Giving control to the people doing the work'
The Progressive Redesign Opportunity Schools for Excellence (PROSE) program, which affords schools the freedom to experiment and innovate, is marking its 10th anniversary this school year. Nearly 300 teachers, chapter leaders and principals from the...
Time for projects
Central Park East II, which has participated in PROSE for all 10 years of its existence, has used the freedom that the program affords to embrace project-based learning, change its teacher evaluation system and more.
‘A game-changer’
Thanks to the PROSE program, Concord HS, a transfer high school for students ages 16 to 21 on Staten Island, has been able to revamp its school hours to meet the needs of its unique student population, who have not thrived in a traditional high...
Special education teachers and school counselors in middle and high schools are often assigned to develop IEPs for students they do not serve. Is this permissible?
No. According to federal law, the IEP team — which includes the parent and the teachers and related service providers who work with the student — is responsible for developing, reviewing and revising the IEP of a student with a disability (see the...
Can an IEP be amended without an IEP meeting when the school does not offer the program or service on the student’s IEP?
No, in this case, the IEP team must be convened to consider other programs and service options based on the student’s specific needs. If the team concludes that the student requires the service or program that the school does not offer, the school...
Is it appropriate for the IEP team to consider whether a student requires special education support during clusters or special classes in elementary school or during electives or language classes in middle and high schools?
Yes, the IEP team should discuss whether students with disabilities require support in any instructional, grade-bearing class. Teachers of such classes who are concerned about the ability of a student with a disability to access or participate in the...
Are IEP-assigned paraprofessionals (individual and small group) required to attend related service sessions?
The management needs section of the student’s IEP must make clear the circumstances during the school day, including related services and nonacademic settings such as lunch and transitions, for which the student requires the support of a...
When are teachers supposed to hold IEP meetings for students with disabilities?
IEP meetings should happen during instructional time or the teacher’s professional activity period. Under the 2023 DOE-UFT contract (Article 6B1d), IEP conferences can now also be scheduled during the 40-minute block of Other Professional Work on...
What help can the UFT provide if students are not receiving the support and services required by their IEPs or the school is not adhering to the special education regulations and requirements set out in the DOE’s Standard Operating Procedures Manual?
There are two avenues for resolving special education issues: your school’s Special Education Committee or the special education complaint. Issues that can be brought to the Special Education Committee include the failure to properly staff special...
CTE Awards Recognition Ceremony 2024
Hundreds of UFT career and technical education educators and family members, as well as industry and city Department of Education partners, attended the CTE Awards Recognition Ceremony, the theme for which was “Igniting Excellence in CTE.” At the Feb. 9 event at UFT headquarters, Manhattan, CTE educators from every borough received awards that recognized their achievements and commitment to student success.
Resolution endorsing Christina McGrath for election to the NYC Teachers' Retirement Board
The United Federation of Teachers endorses Christina McGrath for election as a Teacher-Member of the Teachers’ Retirement Board of the City of New York.
SHIP Frequently Asked Questions
See the FAQ below for answers to common questions about the SHIP program for retired members.
African Heritage Awards Dinner 2024
UFT members celebrated African heritage and honored students and colleagues at the 21st annual UFT African Heritage Committee Awards Dinner on Feb. 2 at Antun’s in Queens Village.
Testimony on the proposed FY25 Executive Budget
UFT President Michael Mulgrew delivered testimony before the New York State Senate & Assembly Committees on Finance, Ways & Means and Education regarding the proposed FY25 Executive Budget.
Civil rights groups, elected officials from eleven counties join UFT/ Staten Island Borough President lawsuit against congestion pricing
Three civil rights organizations and 18 elected officials have joined as co-plaintiffs in the congestion pricing lawsuit filed by the United Federation of Teachers and Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella.
Love thyself
The longest relationship any of us will have is with ourselves. It’s worth putting time and energy into that relationship and celebrating yourself.
Choose change now: Cultivating holistic health habits
New year, new you! In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Dr. Pina LoGiudice, a naturopathic doctor and co-founder of the Inner Source Health clinic, discusses the connection between our physical health and lifestyle habits. Learn how you can feel better and have more energy in 2024.
Health care negotiations continue
The following notification was emailed to all members as part of the UFT Update on Jan. 26, 2024.
Contract’s next pay increase comes on Jan. 18
The next 3% pay increase from our 2023 contract is scheduled to take effect on Thursday, Jan. 18.
Linking to Learning resources
Links to online resources cited in "Linking to Learning" columns in New York Teacher.
The right fit: Finding your therapist
Choosing the right therapist can be challenging! In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Mike Veny, a professional drummer and podcaster and the best-selling author of "Transforming Stigma: How to Become a Mental Wellness Superhero," shares his own mental health journey and his experience finding a therapist suited to his needs. Join us for a discussion of the different types of therapists and modalities of treatment.