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When should I receive my program/teaching assignments for the coming semester/school year?
Teachers in elementary schools who have served in a school for one year or longer should receive assignments for the next school year before June 15. Teachers in junior high schools and high schools should be informed of subjects, grade levels, any...
How much will my pension be when I retire?
It depends upon your years of service, your age of retirement, date of appointment, final average salary, and your pension tier, so it is highly individual. Attend a pension workshop or clinic to learn more. See upcoming events on the UFT website at...
UFT Disaster Relief Fund
The UFT Disaster Relief Fund was established in the wake of 9/11 to help members who lost loved ones in that tragedy. Since then, the fund has helped members who have been personally affected by disasters such as Hurricane Sandy and has contributed...
Dromm Scholarship in Memory of Patricia Filomena
Donate to the Daniel Dromm Scholarship Fund in memory of Patricia Filomena.
How does a dependent or spouse claim pension funds if a UFT member passes?
If they are the retiree's pension beneficiary, they can contact the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) and the UFT Pension Department. A member's beneficiary (or representative) must first submit a certified or original death certificate to TRS for...
What are the options for my TDA (tax-deferred annuity) when I retire?
On your QPP retirement application, you must decide how your TDA funds will be distributed. You may receive your TDA funds as an annuity separate from your QPP retirement allowance. You may instead elect TDA Deferral status, and thereby defer...
How do I find out what my annual salary is and how often we get paid?
Checks for appointed pedagogues and annualized paraprofessionals are issued on a semi-monthly basis, on the 15th and 30th of each month. You can verify your current pay by logging in to the DOE Payroll Portal: https://payrollportal.nycboe.net. For...
How do I report an arrest?
DOE employees must immediately report all arrest to the Office of Personnel Administration and to their supervisor (Principal) in writing. DOE employees should email: OPIArrestNotification [at] schools [dot] nyc [dot] gov (OPIArrestNotification[at]schools[dot]nyc[dot]gov).
When do I report being arrested?
Immediately. All arrests, regardless of the issue involved, the location of the arrest, or when it took place MUST be immediately reported in writing to the Office of Personnel Investigations and your Principal. The best way is by e-mail to...
If arrested, do I have to report it to my principal?
Yes. The principal must be informed immediately in writing about all arrests.
If I am arrested, what is the risk of losing my job?
Every case is different. Arrests can have serious consequences. Members should speak to their private attorney and then to a UFT Representative in the Investigations Department.
My teacher certification is expiring. What action should I take? How do I apply for an Initial Reissuance?
If your certification is expiring you need to do the following to apply for your professional certificate: You will need to apply for the appropriate certificate through your Teach account. You will need to email your Human Resource Director to...
How do I apply for a Professional or Level 3 Teaching Certificate?
Apply through NYSED at: www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/teach/home.html. If you have problems logging in, email tcert [at] nysed [dot] gov (tcert[at]nysed[dot]gov) and type "forgot username/password" on the subject line.
What exams are required for a NYS teaching certificate: CST, edTPA, EAS?
The main exams required for state certification are the EAS (Educating All Students) and the CST (Content Specialty Test). If the person is applying for a bilingual or special education certificate, additional exams are also required. As of April 27...
Our chapter leader is resigning at the end of this year and no one in our school wants to volunteer to take over. What happens when a school has no chapter leader?
It is so important that someone in your school steps up and takes this important role. If your chapter is not organized, there won't be the necessary checks and balances on administration and UFT members will not have the same voice at the school...
How are UFT chapter leaders chosen in schools and when does this process takes place?
Elections for UFT chapter leaders happen every 3 years. The last election period was in 2021. Prior to the next election, your chapter leader will inform you about important deadlines and new information will be posted on the UFT website.
How do I go about having a school event listed in the New York Teacher paper?
Please send your information about the event to New_York_Teacher [at] uft [dot] org (New_York_Teacher[at]uft[dot]org) as early in advance of the event as possible. Please be sure to include the contact information where you can be reached.
How should students with disabilities be programmed for classes in which they do not receive special education services?
For all subjects for which the student's IEP does not recommend special education services, the student must receive instruction in a general education class with their peers who do not have disabilities. The number of nondisabled students should be...
How many preparation periods can be lost per semester due to coverages?
Your prep period can only be taken away in an emergency, such as a coverage for a teacher absence. You can lose multiple preps over the course of a semester due to an emergency need, but you will be paid for all lost preps at the current contractual...
Why should I file a safety report? Should I file incident reports at both school and with the union if something happens at my school?
You should file reports both at school and with the union. It is important to file safety/incident reports with the union because it lets us know what is taking place inside of your building. If you do not report incidents to the union, most likely...
Should we report cyber/online/social media bullying to the union?
You should report any online bullying to both your administrator and the UFT via a Safety report. You can file a UFT incident report online at: https://www.uft.org/your-rights/safety-health/incident-reporting/uft-in….
What should I do if I have been the victim of an assault at school?
The DOE-UFT contract offers you protection and strong support if you have been assaulted while on duty. As well as notifying your principal within 24 hours, you should notify the UFT Health and Safety Department by filing an online safety/discipline...
Management Pay Plan lawsuit update
The following information concerns the UFT lawsuit against the DOE over the 2 percent increase the DOE gave employees enrolled in the Management Pay Plan but not to members of the Administrative Education Officers and Analysts Chapter. On Aug. 29, a...
Brooklyn Making Strides Shine and Dine 2019
The UFT Brooklyn borough office put together a festive evening of student performances and award presentations to thank schools that raised more than $1,000 apiece for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in 2018.
Where can I find the details of my school's protocol for lockdown procedures, exits and egresses, and safety in an emergency?
All schools are trained every September on General Response Protocols (GRP). In addition, consult with your chapter leader about the school's safety plan. You can find more information about those protocols and school safety plans in the UFT's School...
Does the union offer psychological counseling/support groups for members?
Yes, the union's Member Assistance Program (MAP) has trained professional counselors who can guide you through the problems that can put your health and job in jeopardy. Our services are free, confidential, professional and supportive. As a UFT...
Who are the mandated members of the School Safety Committee?
Per Chancellor’s Regulation A-414, every school/campus must establish a School Safety Committee. The committee shall be comprised of the following individuals: the Principal, UFT Chapter Leader, the Custodial Engineer, In-house School Safety Agent...
Who should be notified if weapons are discovered at school?
Alert your schools Administrator and School Safety Agent right away and also contact your UFT borough office: Bronx: 718-379-6200 Brooklyn: 718-852-4900 Manhattan: 212-598-6800 Queens: 718-275-4400 Staten Is: 718-605-1400
What is a "shelter-in" regarding school safety and emergency protocol?
Instructions to "shelter-in" for a drill or actual emergency means to seek safety within the building one already occupies, rather than to evacuate. Students are trained to: Remain inside of the building Conduct business as usual Respond to specific...
Where can I see our school's visitor control protocols?
It is a part of your school safety plan, which you are allowed to read. Ask your Chapter Leader to access your School Safety Plan.
What do I do if I witness a student using alcohol or illegal drugs/narcotics?
In general, when students appear intoxicated or under the influence and are present in school, it's the school's responsibility to keep them there until dismissal or a parent/guardian can pick them up. If you become aware of a student under the...
I am the subject of a current investigation. Why am I reassigned from my duties? Can I be reassigned out of the borough?
Under Chancellor's Regulations, the DOE has a right to re-assign or suspend staff during an investigation. Normally you can not be forced to an out of Borough Reassignment location. Contact your Borough Office immediately if this has happened.
I am looking for help with legal services. Does the union provide help in this area?
Our state affiliate NYSUT has a legal plan service that UFT members are entitled to join. You can find out more about it and enroll online here: http://memberbenefits.nysut.org/program-service/legal-and-financial/leg….
What is the difference between UFT parental leave and maternity leave?
UFT parental leave provides for six weeks of paid leave. Birth parents can supplement these weeks by using CAR days in their bank from the day of birth until either their available days run out, or six weeks’ worth (eight weeks for a C-section) have...
Can I use my CAR days or borrow days in advance when taking a parental/maternity leave?
People can borrow days before the birth in what is known as maternity disability. Once the baby is born, birth mothers can only borrow days if they take maternity leave. There is no right to borrow days if you take a UFT parental leave.
If I take UFT parental leave and do not return to work, do I have to give back this pay?
Yes. People who do not return from a UFT parental leave are responsible to repay the money they received while on this leave. If you do not return to active service for 12 calendar months, you will be required to pay back the UFT parental leave...