Cara Matthews
New York Teacher Senior Editor/Reporter
UFT celebrates class size milestone
The UFT traveled to IS 145 in Queens on Sept. 4 to celebrate the school's achievement in bringing all 6th-grade classrooms into compliance with the state class size law limits. This year, 6th-grade classes will have a limit of 23 students, down from 30 or more in years past.
Mixed results on state exams
Students with disabilities and students of color made gains in math and lost ground in reading, mirroring the overall pattern for New York City students in grades 3 to 8, according to state test score data.
UFT launches new app
The UFT has launched a new mobile app for fast and convenient access to union resources and information and is available for iPhone and Android users. The UFT Member Hub app replaces UFT-Mobile, the union's old app.
Teacher’s Choice amounts to hold steady
The popular Teacher’s Choice program continues this school year, with eligible UFT-represented educators receiving a reimbursement for some of the supplemental instructional supplies they buy.
Save money with UFT member discounts
UFT membership entitles retirees to discounts on everything from clothing, restaurants and Broadway shows to travel, financial services and sports clubs.
Crafting a theatrical return in retirement
Retired Queens teacher Rebecca Owens-Goldhammer staged a theatrical return to her first love in crafting her Second Act in retirement -- as a designer of theatrical headpieces.
UFT presses state for fair funding
The UFT is pushing New York State to update the formula it uses to allocate Foundation Aid to better reflect the actual cost of education and the particular needs of each school district’s students.
Planting seeds of knowledge
Harlem 4th-grade teachers Melody Naccarato and Pura Luna let their students get their hands dirty as they learned about plants and biodiversity during a class trip to the historic Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum in the Bronx.
#StartStrong campaign pays off
The UFT's effort to get back funding for the city's 3-K and pre-K programs begins to pay dividends with the restoration of some of the cuts made by Mayor Eric Adams in time for the start of the 2024-2025 school year.
Getting a ‘fix’ on fairness
Thanks to vigorous lobbying by members from the UFT, its state affiliate NYSUT and other public employee unions in New York state, state lawmakers approved a change in the final average salary calculation for members of Tier 6 of the pension system that will result in a higher pension benefit upon retirement.