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West Indian Day Parade 2019
A downpour couldn't stop UFT members from dancing at the West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn on Monday, Sept. 2, 2019.
How much time do teachers have to prepare their classrooms in September before the students return?
Teachers must be given sufficient time to prepare their classrooms, which is usually at least half a day.
How long are the first two workdays of the new school year?
For teachers and paraprofessionals, the first two workdays before students return are both 6 hours and 50 minutes long. For other titles, Tuesday follows regular work hours and Wednesday is six hours and 50 minutes.
What types of purchases are allowed under Teacher's Choice?
Items purchased under Teacher’s Choice must be appropriate for educational use in the classroom or for other professional assignments, such as art materials, special paper, learning aids, musical instruments and more. If supplies to mitigate the...
How does the Teacher's Choice program work?
Members will receive reimbursement for classroom expenditures made within the annual spending period at the amount allocated for their job title. Then, they must submit an accountability form with receipts to the school to show the entire amount has...
What is Teacher's Choice?
Teacher’s Choice, initiated by the UFT over 30 years ago, allows school staff members to exercise their professional judgment to purchase supplementary supplies and materials to improve the educational experience for their students. Teacher’s Choice...
When should I expect to meet with my evaluator/the person conducting observations of my teaching performance?
Your evaluator must conduct an Initial Planning Conference with you no later than the last Friday in October. This in-person conversation between you and your evaluator should take place at a mutually agreed upon time. This conference is an...
What aspects of my teaching will be evaluated during an observation?
As in previous years, evaluators will base their ratings on eight components of the Danielson Rubric: 1a: Demonstrating knowledge of content and pedagogy; 1e: Designing coherent instruction; 2a: Creating an environment of respect and rapport; 2d...
What kind of professional development and training about the teacher evaluation system will I receive?
The UFT and DOE have collaborated to develop new joint training sessions regarding the evaluation system. All employees--teachers, administrators, and other evaluators--will receive the same training so everyone is on the same page regarding...
What is the SBO process?
Each year, beginning in March, the Consultation Committee should meet to review and discuss the School-Based Options that your school would like to create or restore. After consultation with the principal, the chapter leader should hold a union...
How many times will I be observed this school year?
The required minimum number of evaluations will be fewer for the vast majority of teachers. If you are a tenured teacher, the number of observations your principal or other evaluator will conduct depends on your overall rating from previous school...
Secretary
Mike Sill is the UFT’s secretary and Staff Director. Elected to office in 2019, he is serving his second term within UFT leadership. Mike received his bachelor’s degree in English from Northeastern University and his master’s in teaching from Pace...
Brewing Wellness
Brewing Wellness is a podcast created by the UFT's Member Assistance Program to support the mental health and well-being of our members.
Brewing Wellness Podcast
Brewing Wellness is a podcast created by the UFT's Member Assistance Program to support the mental health and well-being of our members.
I am the spouse or family member of a UFT retiree who has passed away. What do I need to do?
You have our condolences. There are a number of steps you need to take. You can find out what to do when a retiree passes away on the UFT website. If you have further questions, please contact the UFT-RTC Pension Department at 212-598-9536.
What services do the UFT borough offices offer?
The UFT maintains five borough offices where you can call or walk in to ask a question or have a problem addressed. You can find a list here, with hours and addresses. In the borough offices, you will find: Salary representatives to help you with...
I don’t remember if I joined the union. How do I check my membership status?
If you aren’t sure whether or not you are already a member, look at your pay stub. If the deduction code says “UFT,” it means you are a member. If you are not a member, joining is very simple. Active DOE employees, retirees and charter school...
How are my union dues calculated?
For DOE employees, dues are currently set to .85 of one percent of the maximum contractual salary of your title at Step 8B plus 20-year longevity, plus added amounts for the union’s state and national affiliates. So, all the members who are teachers...
Where do my UFT dues go?
UFT members’ dues pay for the full array of services that your union provides to support you and your career — everything from professional support services and development to help you be better at your job to negotiating and enforcing the contract...
How much do I pay in union dues? How much did I pay last year?
Check the current dues schedule on the UFT website or call the UFT at 212-331-6311 to find out your dues amount. The website dues section also explains how your dues are calculated.
Can I join the UFT if I am a day-to-day substitute teacher, a substitute paraprofessional or part-timer?
Yes, you can. You can join the union by filling out our online enrollment form. If you have any questions or run into difficulty with the online union enrollment process, please call the UFT at 212-331-6311.
How do I join the UFT and enroll to become a member?
Active DOE employees, retirees and charter school employees whose school has a UFT bargaining agreement may enroll in the UFT online. If you have any questions about enrollment eligibility or run into difficulty with the online union enrollment...
Am I eligible to join the UFT?
You can enroll in the UFT if you are a New York City Department of Education pedagogue, paraprofessional, hourly group or retiree, or if you belong to one of the charter or private schools, hospitals or non-profit organizations in which employees...
I stopped receiving UFT mail, including the New York Teacher. What do I do?
To find out if we have your correct address on file and to update it if we don’t, the quickest way is to log in to the UFT website and go to "My Account" in the top right corner. From the My Account page, you can access our online change of address...
How do I get a new copy of my UFT membership card?
If you never received or lost your UFT membership card, you can request a replacement, but keep in mind that the UFT-Mobile app contains a digital version of your membership card with your UFT member ID number and a QR code for scanning. If you would...
I am the guardian/Power of Attorney for a UFT member. How do I update the member’s contact information?
Requests to add or update a secondary address must be made by email to membership [at] uft [dot] org (membership[at]uft[dot]org) or via mail. You must provide a copy of the legal document in which you are appointed as guardian or Power of Attorney when requesting any change of personal...
How do I change my name on record with the UFT?
You must provide a legal document (marriage certificate, etc.) for proof of name change. If you receive Welfare Fund benefits, you should fill out the fill out the Welfare Fund’s Change of Status Form on the UFT website to change your name. If you...
I am a UFT retiree and am a “snowbird.” How do I update my secondary address on file with the union?
From the “My Account” page of the UFT website, you will also find a link to Change of Status/Update your Information form to update your secondary address. Requests to add or update a secondary address can also be made by email to membership [at] uft [dot] org (membership[at]uft[dot]org)...
How can I update my personal information (primary address, primary phone number, primary email) on record with the UFT?
You can update your personal information directly on the UFT website or the Member Hub. You must be a registered user on the UFT website to do so. If you haven't registered yet, see instructions on how to do so. To update your email address only, log...
How can I update my personal information (primary address, primary phone number, primary email) on record with the Federation of Nurses?
You can update your personal information directly on the UFT.org website. You must be a registered user on the UFT website to do so. If you haven't registered yet, see instructions on how to do so. To update your email address only, log in to the UFT...
Are there any limits on a parent’s right to refer their child for a special education evaluation?
No. Parents may request an initial evaluation at any time (including prior to or during the implementation of Response to Intervention strategies) to determine if their child is eligible for special education services, unless the student has received...
Can staff members request a reevaluation for special education services?
A student’s teacher or related service provider may make a referral for a reevaluation. Additional information about reevaluations can be found in the Reevaluation section of the DOE’s Special Education Standard Operating Procedures Manual.
Can staff members request that a child be initially evaluated for special education services?
A teacher, or other professional staff member, may request that a child be evaluated by completing the Request for Referral form (in SESIS). After receiving the request, the principal must take one of two actions within 10 school days: (1) request...
What is the timeline for completing initial evaluations for special education students, requested reevaluations and three‐year mandated reviews?
The DOE has 60 calendar days to evaluate a child after receiving parent consent and 60 school days from consent to evaluate to provide the placement recommended in the initial IEP. If the child is receiving special education services, the DOE must...
Are mandated providers, including special education and general education teachers in ICT classes, allowed to cover other duties during provision of service time?
No. Professionals who are obligated to provide services as mandated on IEPs (including special education teachers, general education teachers in ICT classes, related service providers, and paraprofessionals) must serve each student as mandated and...