Thank you to Governor KathyHochul and NYSED Commissioner Rosa for standing firm in support of our students and families. www.governor.ny.gov/news/joint-s...

If you haven’t been in a school lunchroom lately, you’ll be amazed. Kids are laughing, talking, and building real friendships again. NY’s distraction-free cell phone policy is bringing back connection, one lunch at a time. 🍎 #PublicSchoolsUniteUs gothamist.com/news/ny-smar...

This year, at least 31 NYSUT members were elected to serve their communities across New York — proving once again that when working people lead, everyone wins. Proud of our members who step up, serve, and deliver real results for New York. nysut.org/news/2025/november/media-release-election-results

We are deeply concerned for our NYSUT @uupinfo.bsky.social member and his husband, both members of the SUNY Upstate family, now facing deportation and persecution if returned to Cuba. They deserve dignity, safety, and the right to live and work without fear. www.syracuse.com/news/2025/11...

Congratulations to Natalie McKay on her election to the NYSTRS Board of Trustees! A dedicated educator and leader, Natalie has always put her colleagues and students first. Her experience and steady leadership will serve NYSTRS members well. So proud to see her representing us! 💙

Couldn’t ask for better teammates ❤️

Proud to salute our members, celebrating 65 years of the UFT at #teacherunionday. @uftnyc.bsky.social @rweingarten.bsky.social

Long lines at early voting in Manhattan — democracy in action! 🗳️ Great to spend the morning leafleting with our @UFT family and supporting local candidates who stand with public schools and working people. 💪🍎

The real trick is pretending you care about kids while attacking the people who teach them. 🎃

A federal judge has ordered USDA to release funds immediately so #SNAP benefits go out Nov 1 — protecting 42 M Americans from losing food assistance. Thank you NYS AG James & 25+ states for standing up for families. 💪🍎 No one should go hungry because of politics. www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10...

🚗💨 On the road again — this morning we headed to Southern Westchester BOCES to tour their incredible facilities and meet the amazing students and the staff – these hands-on opportunities are setting kids up for success. 💪🎓🔧 #CTE #CareerReady #PublicSchoolsUniteUs #BOCES

People don’t need SNAP because they don’t work. They need SNAP because work doesn’t pay. #OneJobShouldBeEnough

42mil Americans depend on SNAP including nearly 14mil children. A bipartisan coalition of more than 25 states is suing the USDA over access to $6 bil in emergency funds. Thank you to @newyorkstateag.bsky.social James for joining the fight on behalf of all New Yorkers. www.thecity.nyc/2025/10/28/s...

Great things are happening in our public schools! 💙 I visited Homer CSD today to see their thriving universal pre-K program, meet their amazing community liaisons, and join a roundtable with union leaders, members & admin. Public schools unite us — and we’re not going to let anyone hurt them. 🍎

2.8M NYers face SNAP cuts, 442K women & kids risk losing WIC, & 1 in 5 kids live in poverty. Hunger hurts our students & communities. Thank you @governor.ny.gov for $11M in emergency food relief & standing with NY’s most vulnerable families. www.news10.com/news/ny-capi...

Today, we were in Yonkers celebrating the #powerofplay🏃🏽‍♀️where daily recess helps students build confidence, empathy & lifelong skills. Because play is learning. TY to all who made today possible! #PowerOfPlay @shelleybmayer.bsky.social @leaderasc.bsky.social AM Jackson @rosadociriello.bsky.social

New York can’t fix one problem by creating another. When IDAs hand out tax breaks without creating jobs, they drain the revenue that keeps our schools strong. We need affordable housing and well-funded schools — not one at the expense of the other.

I wrote to the Cornell Board of Trustees to urge them to stand strong in defense of independence. We must speak out when political interference threatens the right to teach & learn. Cornell must remain a place where ideas can be tested, truth can be pursued & the next generation can think freely.

What an incredible morning celebrating 30 years of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer here in the Capital District! For three decades, this community has shown what hope, love, and solidarity look like in action. #NYSUT members always show up big, raising more than $18 million over the years.

All across New York, #NYSUT officers are showing up for No Kings Day — standing together to protect our democracy. 👑✊ From the North Country to Long Island, Saratoga to Albany, we’re united in one message: No kings. No crowns. Just democracy. 💪🇺🇸

No Kings then. No Kings now ✊

#NoKings Syracuse,NY. Good people speaking truth to power as far as the eye can see @aft.org @nysut.bsky.social @nysaflcio.bsky.social @melindajperson.bsky.social

Congratulations to Jaime Ciffone on this well-deserved Education Achievement Award! Your dedication to our students, educators, and public schools has made a real difference in the lives of countless New Yorkers. So honored to celebrate you 🎉

NY’s bell to bell phone-free schools are showing us what happens when we remove distractions & bring connection back into learning. Teachers are seeing more focus & connection. Thank you @governor.ny.gov & @nycschools.bsky.social for creating classrooms where real learning & connection can thrive.

Proud to be part of the @nysut.bsky.social contingent at @thenyic.bsky.social Gala as our union is honored with the Champion Award for all our efforts to protect our students and members. @melindajperson.bsky.social @AFT @jaimeciffone.bsky.social

Today is #NationalComingOutDay — and with efforts to silence the LGBTQ+ community growing louder, our visibility matters more than ever. They can ban books and erase crosswalks, but they’ll never silence us. #lgbtq 🏳️‍🌈 @aft.org @nysut.bsky.social @rweingarten.bsky.social @melindajperson.bsky.social

I stand with @newyorkstateag.bsky.social Tish James. This indictment is political retaliation. She’s led with integrity, courage, and an unwavering commitment to justice — and that’s exactly why she’s being targeted.

When public officials take actions that harm students or educators, it’s vital that someone stands up for what’s right. Thanks to @nyclu.org for taking this important step. Our public schools should be safe, welcoming places where all students can learn and thrive. www.newsday.com/long-island/...

When the people in charge refuse to govern, working families pay the price. A shutdown doesn’t punish politicians—it punishes the people they’re supposed to serve. Thank you Leaders Rep Jeffries and Senator Schumer for standing up to protect people’s healthcare. www.cbsnews.com/live-updates...

In a time of unprecedented censorship, NY can lead. The Freedom to Read Act protects students’ right to see themselves in books, shields librarians from political pressure & ensures inclusive libraries. Most parents want kids to learn—not face book bans. www.cityandstateny.com/opinion/2025...

@melindajperson.bsky.social talks teachers shortage, funding cuts, and supporting families facing poverty as the new school year begins. @nysut.bsky.social

When I walk into phone-free cafeterias in schools like Bethlehem and Schoharie, I see kids laughing over cards, foosball, ping-pong, chess — not screens. It’s loud, joyful, and exactly what our schools and students need. Read more: www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...

The start of the school year is just around the corner — thousands of new teachers are expected to start their first year of teaching. What’s a piece of advice you’d share to new teachers going into their first year of teaching?

NY educators are some of the most dedicated, highly trained professionals in the country. They don’t need a partisan exam to prove their worth. This kind of politicization only drives more tchrs away when what kids really need are more caring adults in classrooms. www.timesunion.com/news/politic...

Thank you to our #NYSUT members who took part in last week’s regional conferences, from Tarrytown to Western New York!🌟 Watching educators come together during their summer break to collaborate, share best practices & strategically plan for the upcoming school year is what makes our union strong.

Teachers — too many back to school costs are coming out of your own pockets. That’s that we at #NYSUT are fighting hard for that educator tax credit because you shouldn't have to choose between supplies for your students and groceries for your family.

@aft.org retirees stand with Sen. Schumer in Cortland, NY as he promises to bolster Social Security and protect its data from DOGE! #UnionStrong @nysut.bsky.social @rweingarten.bsky.social @melindajperson.bsky.social

NSEA got to show off great work happening this summer in NSCSD. From OCM BOCES summer school to Rising Rox Stars to the summer feeding program. Thank you @melindajperson.bsky.social @alstirpe.bsky.social Sen. Chris Ryan and Regent Mannion for supporting all students! @nysut.bsky.social @aft.org

"Our kids deserve to learn in a space that's centered on human connection, not algorithmic distraction." @melindajperson.bsky.social, president of @nysut.bsky.social, shares how educators, parents and lawmakers came together to pass a statewide law limiting cell phone use in schools. #TEACH25

@MelindaJPerson.bsky.social is right. Studies show students have lower self-esteem and more anxiety when they spend time on their cell phones. By putting a bell-to-bell cell phone limit in place, we can encourage genuine connection and engagement. #TEACH25 bsky.app/profile/did:...

One job should be enough. www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...

"We listened. We researched. And we organized." — @melindajperson.bsky.social on how @nysut.bsky.social members worked to pass a state law in support of phone-free schools in New York. #TEACH25

"Everyone wanted our schools to be safe, focused, and centered on learning." — @melindajperson.bsky.social #TEACH25

"Our kids deserve to learn in a space that’s centered on human connection, not algorithmic distraction. And teachers deserve classrooms where they’re not competing with a screen every second of the day." — @melindajperson.bsky.social #TEACH25

🚨 BREAKING: The full $6.8B in federal education funding is finally being released. This is a win for students, educators, and every community that spoke out. www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...

🎭 Students afraid to audition because they might be filmed and posted online? That’s the impact of unchecked phone use in schools. We’re reclaiming classrooms from distraction—and giving kids the freedom to learn, take risks, and just be kids again. spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-...

[email protected] President @melindajperson.bsky.social tells it how it is. Great policies for our students & schools start with great teachers. The bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions are a direct result of the leadership of teachers, NYSUT + @uftnyc.bsky.social members & real leaders in NYS.

Cuts to school-based mental health programs are hurting students in every community. UB social work students are losing key training opportunities—just as student needs grow. We need real investment in mental health supports. Our kids can’t wait. buffalonews.com/news/local/b...

This isn’t a “radical agenda”—it’s real programs NY students rely on: after-school care, teacher training, English learner support, arts & mental health. Congress approved the $6.8B. Thank you NYS AG Tish James for fighting to our protect students & public ed! www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/u...

🚨 The Supreme Court just greenlit Trump’s plan to cut the Dept. of Ed —1,400 layoffs, threatening support for special ed, civil rights, & financial aid. #NYSUT @aft.org & @neatoday.bsky.social will keep fighting to protect public education. apnews.com/article/supr...