THIS JUST IN: The DOE has released the Teacher’s Choice amounts for this school year. Funding for the program in this year’s city budget held steady, but because nearly 4,000 additional new teachers were hired to lower class sizes, the per-member allotments have changed slightly.

In a new court filing, @aft.org is asking a federal judge to force the U.S. Department of Education to follow the law and cancel the debts of borrowers who have met longstanding requirements for loan forgiveness. Keep reading the article from @npr.org: n.pr/4gH7XX2

The start of the school year is is an excellent time to make sure you’re taking the right steps to prepare for retirement and secure your own future. Here are the most important things you need to know about your pension benefits as a UFT member. Read: https://bit.ly/4mJnpTX

The historical curiosity of 1st-graders at Manhattan's PS 4 is sparked when co-teachers Lizette Lantigua and Yomayra Gomez take them on a class trip to the 260-year-old Morris-Jumel Mansion, Manhattan's oldest surviving residence. Read: https://www.uft.org/news/feature-stories/homing-on-learning

“Canceling classes during a school day and forcing families and students to engage in a political rally is an egregious misuse of instructional time and state funds,” said State Sen. John Liu, the chair of the Senate Education Committee. www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...

This #HispanicHeritageMonth, we honor Sonia Manzano — beloved as Maria on Sesame Street, award-winning author and lifelong advocate for children. Her work reminds us that every student deserves to feel seen, valued & inspired. NYC public school educators: Thank you for carrying that vision forward.

🚉 If you commute by public transportation, you can save money through the City of New York Commuter Benefits Program, which covers the city and tristate area. This benefit lets UFT members pay commuting costs with tax-free funds. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4pwkz7o

Missed school=missed learning. The rate of absenteeism in the 2004-25 school year, albeit slightly lower than the previous school year, compares to 1 in 4 children missing 10% of school days before the pandemic. We should all be concerned. www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...

Thank you, @errollouis.bsky.social for a great discussion with @rweingarten.bsky.social about her new book, Why Fascists Fear Teachers. A powerful read about the heroism of educators as they defend children, families and democracy.

The Municipal Labor Committee, NYC & EmblemHealth/UnitedHealthcare have reached a tentative agreement on a new health care plan for in-service and pre-Medicare NYC employees that would replace the GHI CBP plan. FAQ: https://bit.ly/4pvHOhS Plan comparison: https://bit.ly/41U0GNf

No one should have to tolerate workplace harassment or discrimination, which is why the UFT-DOE contracts have contained protections for many years against a wide range of discriminatory or harassing behaviors, including sexual harassment. Read more: https://bit.ly/4mex1p9

#HispanicHeritageMonth runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 each year. Celebrate with your students by honoring the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans with ancestry from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America: https://bit.ly/3sTIBjL

The Municipal Labor Committee (MLC) and the city reached a tentative agreement with EmblemHealth and UnitedHealthcare on Aug. 28 on a new health care plan for in‑service city workers, pre-Medicare city retirees and their families. Read more: https://bit.ly/4pmkcvU

Cha-ching! 💲 The salaries of UFT-represented employees will increase by 3.25% effective Sept. 14 as a result of the wage increases that the UFT negotiated in its most recent collective bargaining agreement with the DOE. Read more: https://bit.ly/4mcWAHa

ICYMI: NYC public school students in grades 3 to 8 made dramatic gains in reading and math on 2025 state exams. The percentage of students overall performing at grade level jumped 7.2 percentage points in reading and 3.5 percentage points in math: https://bit.ly/3Vf2QU0

The start of the year is a good time to consider what equipment you have on hand, what you may need to obtain, your classroom protocols related to technology and what tech projects you’d like to pursue. Here is a framework for doing your own inventory: https://bit.ly/46rsI4i 💻

In a sign that the pandemic has drawn to a close, the city Department of Education’s special COVID-19 leave policy has ended. Starting this September, absences related to COVID-19 will be charged to employees’ sick banks. Read more: https://bit.ly/3IkFWHN

Brooklyn Academy of Science and the Environment opened as usual this school year. But if not for a campaign led by UFT Chapter Leader Kesha Hopkins, the small high school, which is part of the New Visions high school network, would no longer have existed. https://bit.ly/4nriMi2

NYC public schools went on a hiring spree this summer to reduce class sizes at the approximately 750 schools whose funding applications were approved last spring. As of Aug. 25, the DOE had hired about 3,000 teachers for the 3,700 open positions. https://bit.ly/3Vbc6bK

This school year, we will see meaningful improvements in our working conditions — and our students’ learning conditions — as a result of fights we undertook as a union for the changes we need. UFT President Michael Mulgrew's column in the New York Teacher: https://bit.ly/46glv72

As educators, we are lifelong learners who are open to new technologies and strategies for enhancing our practice. That’s why the UFT and the AFT launched the National Academy for AI Instruction, a partnership with tech companies at the forefront of AI. https://bit.ly/3V7cXtZ

It's on the rise! 📵😅

Zip, Zap, Zop! Icebreakers help students get to know one another, create a sense of community, ease opening-day anxieties and add an element of fun. Learn more about how icebreakers are also beneficial for educators: https://www.uft.org/news/teaching/learning-curve/building-rapport-start

By a president who says he is on the side of workers. “This is literally the largest act of union busting in American history,” said Mike Podhorzer, a former political director of the A.F.L.-C.I.O. “There’s not another time when that many people lost their union.” www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/u...

@zohrankmamdani.bsky.social joined @uftnyc.bsky.social at I.S. 5 to celebrate the first day of school for NYC students - and the start of the new statewide school cell phone ban. We are giving students back more time to learn - and that’s a win we’re proud to fight for.

Happy #FirstDayofSchool! 🚌 You've got this, educators! Here's to a strong start to a great year. 🍎

Here’s to a great school year! This year brings real progress: smaller class sizes, a new cell phone ban & new heat standards that protect us all. As you prepare for the year ahead, know the UFT is with you — fighting for resources & celebrating the victories we’ve won together.

This summer, Harbor School's Robert Markuske traded the classroom for life at sea. As part of NOAA’s Teacher at Sea program, he worked aboard a research vessel — collecting stories, photos, and insights along the way. Now he’s ready to bring his insights to the classroom. https://bit.ly/45EVaAv

Math teacher Daniel De Sousa explains how three helpful strategies — giving rich tasks, breaking students into groups and using vertical learning spaces — helped him implement Illustrative Mathematics, the DOE's new mandated algebra curriculum. Read: https://bit.ly/47G8qG6

One of an employer’s most basic obligations is to pay its employees in a timely fashion. Yet over and over again, the DOE falls short in this regard. This time it was the new class of NYC Teaching Fellows who trained through the summer without being paid. https://bit.ly/4mVOT9n

Here are 4 things UFT members should know about the statewide cell phone ban that takes effect in NYC schools this fall. Each school is responsible for developing its own implementation plan. Principals should consult with their SLT & have a plan in place. https://on.nyc.gov/4oPuHHZ

A Stanford University study showed that 82% of middle school students couldn’t distinguish real news from fake stories. How can we help our students differentiate between reliable sources of information and those with ulterior motives? Read: www.uft.org/news/teachin...

For Staten Island special education teacher Britni Maddocks, education is not just about the academic skills that students acquire. “It’s about shaping the whole individual,” said Maddocks, who emphasizes the benefits of diversity in the classroom. Read: www.uft.org/news/buildin...

"School libraries are needed more than ever. With the citywide implementation of NYC Reads in elementary schools this year, literacy programs could be bolstered by robust school libraries." Keep reading: www.uft.org/news/teachin...

It's that time of year again! ✏️ The purchasing period for Teacher’s Choice has begun, just in time for back-to-school shopping. Fill your cart with union-made school supplies: aflcio.org/SchoolSuppli... Teacher's Choice Q&A: www.uft.org/news/you-sho...

One of the many benefits provided by the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) and the Board of Education Retirement System (BERS) is the ability to borrow against your Qualified Pension Plan and your Tax-Deferred Annuity (TDA) savings. Learn more: www.uft.org/news/you-sho...

Breaking news: Our activism paid off! Trump Administration Live Updates: White House to Release $5.5 Billion in Frozen Education Funds www.nytimes.com/live/2025/07...

Support is rising for all-day bans, too. www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...

Summer is a good time to check on any outstanding items needed for state certification or to review state education policies if you are being appointed under a different license this upcoming school year. Read answers to common questions: www.uft.org/news/you-sho...

The union negotiated a legal services plan to assist members with everyday issues like reviewing a lease or contract, dealing with a warranty, or help writing an important letter — free of charge. Learn more: www.uft.org/your-union/u...

If you feel your contractual rights have been violated, it’s time to speak up and seek a fair resolution. Filing a grievance is the formal way that members object to the DOE’s violation of the DOE-UFT contract or of established DOE policy and practice: www.uft.org/news/you-sho...

UFT honors Rose Schwally, a dedicated and caring school secretary who spent 23 of her 24-year school secretarial career at Brooklyn’s City-As-School, where she got along well with colleagues and students alike. Read more about her life and legacy: ufthonors.uft.org/schwally/

UFT members can save money by taking advantage of these discounts on merchandise and services — including travel, entertainment, classroom resources, self-care and apparel — that the union has negotiated on their behalf. Learn more: www.uft.org/news/you-sho...

It's #WorldEmojiDay! Let us know how you are spending your well-deserved time off this summer using only emojis 😄 ⛵ 🍉 🍧 🩴 🌴 ☀️ ⛳ 🎣 📖

UFT members can save money by taking advantage of these discounts on merchandise and services — including travel, entertainment, classroom resources, self-care and apparel — that the union has negotiated on their behalf. Learn more: www.uft.org/news/you-sho...

Pasha Durr teaches Brooklyn high school students in their homes when they’re unable to physically attend school. "My favorite part of home instruction is being a silver lining in a student’s day," Durr said. Read: www.uft.org/news/member-...

Queens math teacher Maria Dela Cruz loved math contests as a child and hosted similar ones at her school until COVID-19 struck. So she was ready when her principal presented her with the chance to host a national math competition for her students. Read: www.uft.org/news/feature...

👓 The number of optical stores available to UFT Welfare Fund-eligible members has increased by almost 900 nationwide with the addition of Visionworks to the UFT Welfare Fund network, bringing the total network size to nearly 4,000. Learn more: www.uft.org/news/news-st...

We held a press conference at union headquarters this morning following Tuesday’s vote by the UFT Delegate Assembly to endorse Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor. Mamdani addressed the choice members with have to make when voting in the November mayoral election. @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social

“Why can't we attract and retain teachers the way we used to? We know the answer: We’re forcing them to earn less & work longer. We’re telling them the bargain they made to work in public service & have the benefit of a public pension is being taken away from them.” - @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social