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Middle School Division

We built this Middle School site just for you. Think of it as your personal toolkit packed with the resources, guidance, and support you need to grow and thrive at every stage of your career.

Providers Appreciation Awards Ceremony 2026

About 400 members of the UFT Family Child Care Providers Chapter and their guests filled Shanker Hall at union headquarters for the 13th annual Provider Appreciation Awards ceremony on May 8. More than 40 members were honored for providing exemplary service to young children and their families.

Middle Schools Awards 2026

Over 200 honorees and guests attended the inaugural Middle Schools Awards at UFT headquarters in Manhattan, where some 40 members were honored for excellence in education, collaboration and union activism.

School Nurses Appreciation Dinner 2026

School nurses gathered at UFT headquarters for the annual School Nurses Appreciation Dinner in celebration of National School Nurse Day. School nurses in attendance had the opportunity to network and hear from union leadership.

Unwind your mind

In a world that rarely slows down, learning how to relax and unwind the mind is essential for maintaining both mental clarity and emotional well-being. When you realize you are feeling irritable and overwhelmed, don’t just push through: Step back and...

National Speech-Language-Hearing Month Celebration 2026

About 200 members, students and their guests gathered at UFT headquarters for the 20th annual celebration of National Speech-Language-Hearing Month (formerly known as Better Speech and Hearing Month). The UFT Speech Improvement Chapter recognized speech teachers and their students for exceptional projects that showcased the breadth and depth of therapies that speech teachers provide.

Testimony on rising health care costs

UFT President Michael Mulgrew submitted testimony on the impact of rising health care costs on patients and families before the United States House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means.

Empowering women's health

Women's health is often discussed as separate symptoms, but the lived experience — hormonal shifts, misunderstood conditions and the emotional weight of postpartum life — deserves deeper attention. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Dr. Pina LoGiudice, naturopathic doctor and owner of InnerSource Wellness, joins us to discuss concerns women bring into care and issues that often go unspoken. Together, we explore hormonal impacts on mental health, misdiagnosis, and how women can become more empowered in seeking support.

Early Childhood Conference 2026

Hundreds of early childhood educators packed Shanker Hall for the UFT’s 18th annual Early Childhood Conference to address a serious topic: the power of play. From powerful presentations to CTLE-credit-bearing workshops and even a group karaoke sing-along, attendees were informed about “learning through play” is a key component of instruction that needs to happen in every classroom, every day.

District 11 Scholarship Dinner 2026

A crowd of some 550 members and guests turned out at a Bronx banquet hall for the eighth annual District 11 Scholarship Dinner, a night of celebration recognizing the achievements of members, students and school staff in the district.

UFT Social Media Channels

Follow the UFT on social media! See some of our channels and platforms.

Strength in unity

“What I love about the union - and I don’t have to tell you, a math teacher - there is power in numbers.”

Remembering Tom Pappas

A retiree speaks of the caring guidance and wisdom shared by former UFT Secretary Tom Pappas who died recently at the age of 93.

UFT Players performance

At their annual Original Plays Festival, held March 12 and 13 at UFT headquarters in Manhattan, the UFT Players Committee, a spirited troupe of educators-turned-performers, brought six original short plays to life—each one brimming with humor, heart...

Finding a counselor

There are many reasons to seek counseling. But no matter what is motivating you to seek support, here are things to consider when finding a counselor who fits.

Matthew Colacurto

Matthew Colacurto helps noncompensatory students on a second pathway to educational success as a teacher with Pathways to Graduation, a program for those for whom traditional high school does not fit for reasons including housing or food insecurity...

Middle-schoolers need freedom to grow

UFT Vice President for Middle Schools Richard Mantell writes that one of the most concrete ways schools can help prepare middle school students to take on more adultlike behavior is in how they manage class transitions. The best instructional models...

Reelect Tom Brown to TRS board

The Delegate Assembly by an 83 percent vote has endorsed UFT Assistant Treasurer Tom Brown for reelection as a teacher-member of the New York City Teachers’ Retirement System Board. The election by in-service TRS members takes place May 13 at New...

Taking the union's case to lawmakers

Fixing Tier 6, increasing state funding for public schools and boosting pay for early childhood providers were among the top priorities as about 1,000 UFT members and parents traveled to Albany on March 16 for the union’s annual Lobby Day.

Members are the true MVPs

Members were the true MVPs as some 4,000 traveled to Albany's MVP Arena to rally in support of Tier 6 reform. The rally marked the culmination of the UFT’s monthslong “6” days campaign, an escalating series of member actions designed to raise...

Bring a Scientist to Class (It’s Easier Than You Think)

STEM has a long history of being exclusionary, and some students have a hard time imagining themselves in such roles. Bringing real scientists into the classroom, especially ones who share students’ backgrounds, helps expand that vision, middle...

Sill elected UFT secretary

UFT Assistant Secretary Michael Sill was elected UFT secretary and elevated to director of staff. He replaces LeRoy Barr, who retired on Feb. 1.

Your TDA options at retirement

More than 120,000 in-service members and retirees participate in the UFT’s Tax-Deferred Annuity program. When you retire, you have three choices for handling your money in your TDA. Learn about all your options in this month's Secure Your Future.

SIU Hospital–South nurses win big

Nurses at Staten Island University Hospital–South represented by the Federation of Nurses/UFT overwhelmingly ratified a three-year contract on March 27 that raises salaries by a compounded 14 percent, preserves premium-free health care and increases...

Moving from NYC?

Here is what UFT retirees need to know to stay in the know about UFT events and benefits if they are moving away from New York City.

$1,000 retention bonus to be paid in May

The third annual retention bonus negotiated as part of the 2023 DOE-UFT contract will be paid in May. All UFT-represented employees who worked full-time during the 12 months leading up to April 1, 2026, will receive $1,000 as a supplemental check.

Loss of a legend: Tom Pappas

Tom Pappas, a “tough as nails” but kind educator and administrator who began teaching in 1957 and went on to serve as a district representative, borough representative, UFT assistant, UFT secretary, staff director and Retired Teachers Chapter leader...

Becoming a legal eagle in retirement

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

Protecting the social safety net

Chapter Leader Bennett Fischer calls on retirees to join the UFT in organizing around protecting the social safety nets of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, as he details threats and cuts the Trump administration has made regarding the programs...

Switching schools

Ready to apply for a new opportunity or wish to transfer to a new school? This Q and A explains what educators need to know about the Open Market Transfer Plan.

Paraprofessionals take stand at City Council

Low salaries for New York City public schools’ paraprofessionals have led to thousands of vacancies, unserved students and personal financial crises, UFT members said at a March 9 City Council hearing on legislation for an annual $10,000...

Stay in the fight for RESPECT and Tier 6

UFT President Michael Mulgrew commends members on the new heights of union activism this year, especially in their advocacy for Tier 6 reform among state lawmakers and to push for passage of RESPECT check legislation in the City Council. He urges...

Therapists win 9th session

The diligent advocacy of the UFT and OT/PT members has resulted in the city Department of Education finally implementing a long-delayed policy allowing occupational and physical therapists to work a voluntary ninth session for additional pay.

A UFT chapter is born

After a five-year fight for recognition as a bargaining unit, the UFT's newest chapter, the Division of School Facilities Supervisors Chapter, is negotiating its 1st contract with the city Department of Education.

US DOE loses student loan oversight

The Trump administration continued its efforts to dismantle the U.S. Education Department by announcing an agreement on March 19 to transfer most of the responsibilities of managing the federal student loan portfolio to the U.S. Treasury Department.

WNBA players approve 7-year labor deal

Regarding a deal the Women’s National Basketball Players Association said demonstrated the power of its union, WNBA players unanimously approved a new seven-year WNBA collective bargaining agreement that was ratified by the WNBA Board of Governors on...