Skip to main content
Full Menu Close Menu

Search

Report: Teachers’ salaries not keeping up

The Miami-Dade County School Board on July 28 accepted two health and sexual education textbooks for use in middle and high schools, reversing a decision from just the previous week to reject the curriculum over fears it could violate the state’s...

Sex-ed clash in Miami-Dade

Teaching salaries have not kept pace with wages in professions where workers have similar education levels, according to a new Economic Policy Institute (EPI) report.


Tech tools for parent outreach

Parent outreach doesn’t have to mean making individual phone calls one by one the old school way. By using tech tools, you can streamline your process for contacting families and make those connections more successful.

Gateway to the world

Arts programs may be on the chopping block this fall as school principals look for ways to cut costs in the face of Mayor Adams’ school budget cuts. But for many educators, the pandemic has proven that arts instruction is more important than ever.

Leaving no stone unturned at Green-Wood

A tour about pollinators and another that focuses on architecture are just two of the many educational tours that can serve as class trips at The Green-Wood Cemetery, a 478-acre National Historic Landmark chartered in 1838 in western Brooklyn.

Unfair funding

It's time for the Department of Education’s Fair Student Funding formula to live up to its name and provide New York City public schools with the resources to help all our children succeed. The per-pupil funding formula that has determined the...

Mulgrew: We won’t swap time for money

UFT President Michael Mulgrew told members at a virtual union town hall on Aug. 22 that one item that would not be on the bargaining table in contract talks expected to begin sometime this fall would be longer workdays in return for larger pay raises...

Fostering success

New York City has taken the first steps to support students in the foster care system by beginning to establish a government team dedicated to that purpose. It must go the rest of the way and help these kids get everything they need to thrive.

Hopeful sign for class-size bill

The landmark class size bill passed by both houses of the state Legislature in June has not yet become law because it still lacks the governor’s signature.

Stepping up to support families

The UFT doubled down this year on its customary end-of-summer initiatives to support students and teachers with school supply giveaways, information, resources and plain old fun.

Tips for preparing your classroom

Your classroom is more than a physical space. Here are some ideas to consider as you begin a new school year, whether you’re setting up a classroom for the first time or looking at one with fresh eyes after the summer.

Blooming with pride

Fourth-year teacher and sustainability coordinator Amanda Cleary launched a garden club at P 37, a District 75 school on Staten Island, and along with vegetables and flowers, pride and a sense of responsibility are nurtured there.

A 'get to know you' activity

Second-grade teachers Linda Querni and Patricia Greco used Play-Doh as a "get to know you" activity at the start of school. Students used the Play-Doh to answer the prompts and then discussed with their classmates to learn about each other.

RTC at AFT convention

Kudos to David Smoke, PS 315, and Cindy Lerner, PS 19, in Manhattan

When PS 315, the East Village Community School, moves on Sept. 8 into the First Avenue building that houses PS 19, the chapter leaders for the two Manhattan schools can take a bow for their work in ensuring a smooth merger that meets the needs of...

Back to School 2022

It was a day of greetings and learning for educators and students across the city as they headed back to school on Sept. 8, 2022.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Staten Island borough office

A new Staten Island borough office that can accommodate more in-house activities had its grand opening on Aug. 31.

UFT media advisory for Thursday, Sept. 8

The UFT is launching a September radio ad campaign welcoming students and staff back to school and pledging to keep fighting for the funding New York City schools need.

Wellness Matters: Time management  

As a UFT member, you work in a demanding setting, and your experience tells you that effective time management is a key to success. The following tips can help you manage your time better in the year ahead.

Creating equitable classrooms

Classroom equity is achieved when all students feel understood, respected and included. In this episode of the Classroom Café we will take a deep dive into what equity is and is not. Special guest Moza Coote, a veteran New York City public school teacher who is now a teacher development specialist with the city's Department of Education, will share insights and resources to help educators bring their compassion and kindness to the experience of teaching and learning.

Quick links

Quick links to popular topics for RTC members.

How can I renew my school parking permit? What are the deadlines to do so?

Members can apply for parking permit renewals through the DOE’s parking permit self-service portal when it opens each September through early October (the portal works best in Google Chrome). Deadlines to renew vary each year, but they are usually in...

District 75 SETSS

District 75 also provides SETSS in District 1 through 32 schools to students with significant disabilities as part of its Special Education Inclusive Services program. Learn more »

Interim SETSS services

In certain circumstances, SETSS services may be provided to students who have been recommended to receive integrated co-teaching services, but have not been placed in a timely manner. Learn more about interim SETSS services »

Arranging SETSS services

The process for arranging Special Education Teacher Support Services (SETSS) is structured to ensure timely support for students. Learn more »

Functional grouping

Students with disabilities placed together for purposes of Special Education Teacher Support Services must be grouped by similarity of individual needs. Learn more »

Location of services

SETSS can be provided in the classroom or in a separate location. Learn more about the locations of SETSS services »

Group size, composition and caseload

Group size for SETSS services may not exceed eight students. Learn more »

Minimum and maximum service requirements

SETSS are provided for a minimum of three hours a week up to a maximum of 50 percent of the school day. Learn more »

Direct and indirect services

The student's IEP must indicate the amount of time that the student will receive Special Education Teacher Support Services, the distribution of the time between direct and indirect services, and the location of services. Learn more »

Special education teacher certification resources

New York City schools are required to adhere to state certification requirements. If you work in special education, you know that certification requirements are complicated and frequently change.

Contact information

UFT retiree services are available not only in the tri-state metro area, but to members in the chapter's outreach sections in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Israel.

Reflections in Poetry and Prose

Reflections in Poetry and Prose is a yearly collection of published writings from retirees enrolled in our UFTWF Retiree Programs creative writing courses and/or retired UFT members across the country.

About the chapter

About the UFT's Retired Teachers Chapter, a dynamic organization committed to protecting the intellectual, physical and economic wellbeing of its members.

Volunteer Opportunities

Learn about ways UFT retirees can become more active in our union and assist others with their experience and knowledge.

A letter from Michael Mulgrew to the mayor and chancellor regarding school budget cuts

The following letter from UFT President Michael Mulgrew was issued on Aug. 11 to Mayor Adams, Chancellor Banks and Department of Education officials regarding the anticipated budget cuts for the upcoming 2022-23 school year.