New York TeacherApril 23, 2026

Volume LXVII, Number 5

Latest News

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 paraprofessional RESPECT check.

News Stories

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 York City public schools.

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Feature Stories

Living out her dream

Teacher Jacqueline Armento, who holds degrees in social studies and criminology and has a passion for both fields, found her happy place at John Bowne HS in Flushing, Queens.

“I love this school. I love the community that we built here. I love that I get to teach social studies and I get to teach law,” Armento said. “So, two things that I’m super passionate about, I get to do every day, which is awesome.”

Armento joined Bowne HS in 2020 as a social studies teacher and, three years later, became law coordinator for the school’s Law Institute. That same year, the 7-year-old program became one of the first CTE-certified law programs in New York State.

Her work developing and coordinating the program alongside school leadership earned her recognition at this year’s UFT Career and Technical Education Awards night, where she received a UFT CTE Educators Award…

Living out her dream

Teacher Jacqueline Armento's development and coordination of the Law Institute at John Bowne HS in Queens earned her recognition at this year’s UFT Career and Technical Education Awards night, where she received a UFT CTE Educators Award.

Powering up student success

When students as CTE teacher John Isaza why he teaches—despite the higher salaries he could earn as an electrician—his answer is simple. “I love my job,” he tells them. “When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work.” Isaza, a UFT Career and Technical Education Award winner, teaches electrical installation at Coop Tech in Manhattan, not far from where he began his own journey in the trade.

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Member Spotlight

What I Do

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, or the need to work full-time.

Chapter Leader Shoutout

Stephanie Isidore, FDNY HS, Brooklyn

Chapter Leader Stephanie Isidore of FDNY Captain Vernon A. Richard HS in Brooklyn was an impactful source of comfort and information to her member colleagues in helping them navigate having three different principals over the course of nine months.

Around the UFT

African Heritage Awards Dinner

About 150 UFT members and guests braved frigid temps to celebrate African heritage and honor educators, students and colleagues amid a snowy start to Black History Month at the 23nd annual UFT African Heritage Committee Awards Dinner.

Iftar dinner

More than 200 UFT members filled Shanker Hall at union headquarters on February 27 to break the Ramadan fast during the UFT Muslim Educators Committee's third annual Iftar dinner. The event was joined by guests including Mayor Zohran Mamdani and schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels.

School Counselors Conference

The invaluable need for human connection in a fast-moving digital world was top of mind as School Counselors Chapter Leader Rosemarie Thompson welcomed about 200 counselors and other related service providers to union headquarters for the 22nd annual School Counselors Conference.

Guiding the future of labor

The UFT celebrated the future-forward focus that career and technical educators bring in giving students the tools they need to join tomorrow’s labor force as more than 450 members and guests gathered at union headquarters on Feb. 12 for the union’s CTE Awards Recognition Ceremony.

UFT Irish American Heritage Committee Celebration

UFT members celebrated Irish American culture and contribution to the mosaic that is New York City during a celebration at UFT headquarters on Feb. 5.

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Your Rights and Benefits

Know Your Benefits

Dental care

Your Well-being

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.

You Should Know

Grants, Awards & Freebies

Grants, Awards & Freebies

See our list of current opportunities for educators to receive funds and recognition for their hard work and dedication.

Q&A on the Issues

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.

Opinions

VPerspective

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 are where students — not teachers — move between classes. When students navigate their own schedule, find their classrooms, and manage their time between periods, they build executive functioning skills, a sense of independence, and the self-regulation they will need in high school and beyond.

Editorials

Choice is clear for NY

The national Educational Choice for Children Act, tucked into the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Congress passed last summer, is bad news for public education – and New York must not opt in.

Opinion

Image of the United States with a calculator

Fix the Foundation

Changes to the state’s Foundation Aid formula shortchanged New York City by $314 million last year and, without reform, will cost city schools more than $400 million next year. The UFT has identified three key areas legislators must fix to give New York City students the educational support they deserve.

Editorial Cartoons

What I love about the union

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

Comments

Remembering Tom Pappas

Teaching Resources

Learning Curve

Protect play: an essential ingredient in early childhood success

Play fosters a lasting love of learning, and must be protected in early childhood classrooms. Research overwhelmingly reinforces the benefits of play-based instruction. Children who engage in cooperative play generally have higher self-esteem, and play fosters social skills like sharing, taking turns, and resolving conflicts. Active learning has been shown to boost academic achievement and retention compared to teacher-led instruction.

Linking to Learning

Creating podcasts

Creating classroom podcasts isn’t just trendy, it’s a task that checks many boxes: using real-world skills, applying content knowledge, integrating technology, incorporating student voice, and practicing all four components of English language arts.  Learn how. 

Building Your Career

New Teacher Articles

Prepare now for summer

Start early and don't be afraid to get creative. Those are words of advice veteran educators are offering to new teachers get tips on how to best prepare now for the end of school year that is fast approaching.

Retired Teachers News

RTC Information

Loss of a legend: Tom Pappas

Former UFT Secretary Tom Pappas, remembered as a “tough as nails” yet deeply kind educator and union leader whose career spanned decades, died on Feb. 13. He was 93.

Pappas began his career as a substitute teacher in Manhattan’s Washington Heights and was appointed as a full-time teacher in 1959. He was active in the early days of the UFT, including during the union’s founding in 1960 and its historic first teachers’ strike later that year.

He went on to serve in a wide range of leadership roles, including chapter leader at JHS 115 in Manhattan and at John Adams HS in Queens. In 1968, he was appointed District 27 representative in Queens, a position he held until 1975, when he became Queens borough representative. Three years later, he was named assistant to the UFT president.

Pappas was elected and served as UFT assistant secretary from 1991 to 1995 and as secretary from 1995 until his retirement in…

RTC Information

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.

RTC Chapter Leader Column

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 already. 

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