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Italian American Heritage Committee

Hexagon with red background and map of Italy

The UFT Italian American Committee, established in the early 1970s, was one of the earliest UFT committees. 

Our goals are: 

  • To ensure that Italian American culture is passed from generation to generation. 
  • To disseminate instructional materials on the culture and history of Italians in America. 
  • To discuss issues facing Italian American educators. 
  • To continue our association with Italian Americans in the labor field. 

The committee hosts or participates in a range of activities, including our annual bocce ball tournament on Columbus Day; the Columbus Day parade; the Feast of St. Joseph; regular classes in how to make mozzarella, limoncello and ravioli; Italian Heritage Culture Month; and the New York City comptroller’s annual Italian American community breakfast. 

All UFT members are welcome to join the UFT Italian American Heritage Committee. For more information, contact us at italianheritage [at] uft [dot] org (italianheritage[at]uft[dot]org). 

Join the committee 
Please note: you must log in to enroll.

Photo Gallery

Italian-American Heritage Committee Dinner 2024

More than 50 educators indulged in Italian cuisine and culture on Oct. 22 when the UFT Italian American Heritage Committee staged its annual fall dinner at Mario’s Restaurant, a staple for Italian Americans for more than 100 years on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx.

Two women in attendance at a UFT Italian Heritage Committee dinner hold up their

Retired secretary Carolina Lombardo (left) and retired paraprofessional Vivian Columbano show off the T-shirts they received at the event.

Erica Berger
UFT District 9 Representative Aqeel Williams belts out a song at the UFT Italian American Heritage Committee dinner.

UFT District 9 Representative Aqeel Williams belts out a song, delighting attendees.

Erica Berger
Two teachers in attendance at the UFT Italian American Heritage Committee dinner smile for a photo.

Chapter Leader Manjola Prela (left) and Julia Mezo of MS 127 in the Bronx are ready to celebrate.

Erica Berger
Retired school secretaries pass the bread at the UFT Italian American Heritage Committee awards dinner on Oct. 22, 2024.

Retired school secretaries Mary Anne Cuttita (left) and Cathy DeLuca pass the Italian bread.

Erica Berger
Two guests in attendance at the UFT Italian American Heritage Committee awards dinner wave their napkins in the air.

UFT Bronx High Schools District Representative Dario Shore (left) and Health and Safety Representative Corrine Barros join in the napkin twirling that got the celebration started.

Erica Berger
UFT members gather for a photo at the Italian American Heritage Committee's awards dinner on Oct. 22, 2024.

Getting ready for the big night are (from left) UFT District 9 Representative Aqeel Williams, Marla Smith of PS 106 in the Bronx, UFT Italian American Heritage Committee Chair Dana Falciglia, and Education Liaison Christine O’Callaghan.

Erica Berger
A group of attendees at the UFT's Italian American Heritage awards dinner take a group photo outside of Mario's Restaurant.

Meeting outside the restaurant are (from left) UFT District 7 Representative Bill Woodruff, UFT Education Liaison Laurie Lubman and Manhattan Safety Liaison and Victim Support Program Coordinator Christopher Verdone.

Erica Berger
UFT representatives in attendance at the UFT Italian American Heritage awards dinner pose for a photo.

Flanking UFT Vice President for Education Mary Vaccaro, are committee Chair Dana Falciglia (left) and Manhattan Safety Liaison and Victim Support Program Coordinator Christopher Verdone.

Erica Berger
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Two women in attendance at a UFT Italian Heritage Committee dinner hold up their

Retired secretary Carolina Lombardo (left) and retired paraprofessional Vivian Columbano show off the T-shirts they received at the event.

Erica Berger
UFT District 9 Representative Aqeel Williams belts out a song at the UFT Italian American Heritage Committee dinner.

UFT District 9 Representative Aqeel Williams belts out a song, delighting attendees.

Erica Berger
Two teachers in attendance at the UFT Italian American Heritage Committee dinner smile for a photo.

Chapter Leader Manjola Prela (left) and Julia Mezo of MS 127 in the Bronx are ready to celebrate.

Erica Berger
Retired school secretaries pass the bread at the UFT Italian American Heritage Committee awards dinner on Oct. 22, 2024.

Retired school secretaries Mary Anne Cuttita (left) and Cathy DeLuca pass the Italian bread.

Erica Berger
Two guests in attendance at the UFT Italian American Heritage Committee awards dinner wave their napkins in the air.

UFT Bronx High Schools District Representative Dario Shore (left) and Health and Safety Representative Corrine Barros join in the napkin twirling that got the celebration started.

Erica Berger
UFT members gather for a photo at the Italian American Heritage Committee's awards dinner on Oct. 22, 2024.

Getting ready for the big night are (from left) UFT District 9 Representative Aqeel Williams, Marla Smith of PS 106 in the Bronx, UFT Italian American Heritage Committee Chair Dana Falciglia, and Education Liaison Christine O’Callaghan.

Erica Berger
A group of attendees at the UFT's Italian American Heritage awards dinner take a group photo outside of Mario's Restaurant.

Meeting outside the restaurant are (from left) UFT District 7 Representative Bill Woodruff, UFT Education Liaison Laurie Lubman and Manhattan Safety Liaison and Victim Support Program Coordinator Christopher Verdone.

Erica Berger
UFT representatives in attendance at the UFT Italian American Heritage awards dinner pose for a photo.

Flanking UFT Vice President for Education Mary Vaccaro, are committee Chair Dana Falciglia (left) and Manhattan Safety Liaison and Victim Support Program Coordinator Christopher Verdone.

Erica Berger