Teacher's Choice
The landmark City Council program, initiated by the UFT more than 25 years ago, reimburses educators — as determined by title — for the purchase of classroom and school supplies of their choice.
How the program works
To receive reimbursement through Teacher's Choice, educators must save and submit receipts as proof of purchase, accompanied by a DOE State of Purpose/Accountability form.
The purchasing period begins each school year on Aug. 1 and continues through mid-January.
Members receive their Teacher's Choice funds in a paycheck in late November or early December.
Those who do not wish to participate must submit a Request for Nonparticipation (opt-out) form. If you receive Teacher's Choice funds in your paycheck and do not submit an accountability form with required receipts by the January deadline, the DOE will take back the money.
Items purchased under Teacher's Choice must be appropriate for educational use in the classroom or for other professional assignments. The Teacher's Choice stipend is not intended for purchases of basic supplies such as textbooks, chalk, paper, microscopes and math manipulatives, which principals are contractually obligated to provide. If that obligation is not met, let your chapter leader know.
Other unreimbursed spending on school supplies may be tax-deductible.
Still have questions?
For additional information or assistance from the DOE, see the DOE's Teacher's Choice website (note: you'll have to log in), contact the DOE Teacher's Choice Unit at 718-935-3304 or email teacherschoice@schools.nyc.gov. At the UFT, call 212-331-6311.
No. Your school must provide you with basic instructional supplies and books, such as textbooks, paper, chalk, microscopes and math manipulatives. In fact, it's a contractual right. Instructional supplies are part of the system-wide standards and schools are responsible for providing them to teachers and functional chapter employees.
If you want something beyond these basic supplies, you do have the option to purchase items for your classroom with money from the Teacher's Choice program.
Items purchased under Teacher's Choice must be appropriate for educational use in the classroom or for other professional assignments. In recent years, the DOE has also included PPE supplies such as masks and hand sanitizer as qualifying purchases due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Teacher's Choice stipend is not intended for purchases of basic supplies such as textbooks, chalk, paper, microscopes and math manipulatives, which principals are contractually obligated to provide. If that obligation is not met, let your chapter leader know. Teacher's Choice purchases are intended for special projects or enrichment materials for your classes. Sometimes a group of UFT members pools money to buy equipment or other more expensive purchases for a grade or department, but this is purely voluntary: the choice is yours.
See the UFT's Teachers Choice page for more information about the program.
Members receive their Teacher's Choice funds in their last November or first December paychecks, but you should start purchasing and saving receipts sooner than this date, usually between August and January. Receipts for these purchases must accompany a Statement of Purpose/Accountability form. Items purchased under Teacher's Choice must be appropriate for educational use in the classroom or for other professional assignments.
Those who do not wish to participate in the program must submit a Request for Non-Participation (Opt Out Form). If you receive the Teacher's Choice funds in your paycheck and do not file an accountability form with required receipts by the deadline, you will be obligated to refund the money to the DOE.
See the UFT's Teachers Choice page for more information about the program.
Teacher’s Choice gives UFT members buying power. It is money provided in the budget by the New York City Council that reimburses eligible UFT members up to an allotted amount for the cost of supplementary supplies and materials that they buy to help them do their jobs.
Teachers, school counselors, social workers, school psychologists, lab specialists, occupational and physical therapists, school nurses and school secretaries should check with their chapter leaders to find out how much money is allocated for their title.
See the UFT's Teachers Choice page for more information about the program.