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Give new members a warm welcome
UFT Vice President of Elementary Education Karen Alford urges members to welcome and offer their support to the 6,600 new educators hired this fall to bring more classes under the new class size limits that the union fought so hard to secure.
Early Childhood Conference
More than 300 educators in grades 3-K though 2 enjoyed a day of inspiration, camaraderie and professional development with an emphasis on how important a strong start is to a child’s educational achievement.
UFT toy drive and holiday party 2024
The UFT, in partnership with Coalition for the Homeless, hosted its annual holiday toy drive and celebration on Dec. 7 for students living in temporary housing in New York City. UFT members donated over 1,000 toys and more than $2,200 to the effort to bring holiday joy to the students, who enjoyed a variety of crafts and games as well as face-painting, a magic show and a visit from Santa.
Giving back to communities year round
UFT Vice President for Elementary Schools Karen Alford writes that our schools are more than academic institutions. They are caring institutions and, as educators, we understand that caring for the communities we work in is part of teaching and...
Early Childhood Conference
The UFT’s 15th annual Early Childhood Conference on April 1 buzzed with energy as nearly 200 educators gathered to learn ways to engage their youngest students with play.
UFT holiday party and toy drive
The UFT welcomed 80 children from eight city shelters to a special holiday celebration organized in partnership with Coalition for the Homeless on Dec. 10 at union headquarters in Manhattan.
Your union is here for you
UFT Vice President for Elementary Schools Karen Alford writes that we are excited to return to our classrooms to do what we do best after recharging over the summer. And we won’t let budget cuts or layoffs stop us from providing our public school...
Early Childhood Conference
Spring was in the air on March 19 at the UFT’s 14th annual Early Childhood Conference, where laughter, play and learning emerged after a difficult winter for nearly 400 educators — a blend of in-person participants at UFT headquarters and remote...
The benefits of mindfulness
UFT Vice President for Elementary Schools Karen Alford writes that it’s been a stressful year, and the pandemic is still affecting all our lives. Some UFT members have gotten a jump-start on their own social-emotional wellness, with training in...
VP for Elementary Schools
Karen Alford is vice president for elementary schools. She spearheads the union's United Community Schools initiative, which strengthens schools by offering wraparound health and social services in the school building for the entire community.