Running a grassroots safety campaign in Melrose. Using operational issues complaints to enforce the contract in Midwood. Implementing the new class size limits in East New York.

These are some of the successful chapter organizing efforts the UFT celebrated on Teacher Union Day on Nov. 3.

Many educators nationwide do not have the same rights that the largest, most powerful union local in the country has fought for and won, UFT President Michael Mulgrew said. Teacher Union Day commemorates the 1960 strike that led to collective bargaining rights for educators and recognizes today’s leaders and activists who advance the union’s mission.

“That’s why we celebrate Teacher Union Day and we get to recognize all the amazing people who make miracles happen, whether it’s on behalf of the union or the students,” he told the nearly 1,500 UFT members who gathered at the New York Hilton Midtown.

Mulgrew himself was surprised by a special presentation of an award he received earlier this year from the A. Philip Randolph Institute, a constituency group of the AFL-CIO, for his work advancing social and economic justice for working families. Clayola Brown, the organization’s national president, traveled from the headquarters in Washington to New York to present it.

Kristin Golat-Defendis, the chapter leader at MS 51, Brooklyn, was among the six current and prior chapter leaders who accepted the UFT’s new Collective Action Award for organizing to improve their workplaces.

Golat-Defendis said the union gave her the tools to stand up to an abusive principal, which ultimately led to his transfer. “You are what makes the union,” she said in a video about her award. “And when you ... have a rare situation like we did, you will enable each other to fight back and make a difference, and it will work.”

The UFT gave its highest honor, the Charles Cogen Award, to Tom Murphy for his nearly 60 years of service to the union.

UFT Teacher Center field liaison Evelyn Edwards, who has helped thousands of teachers during her 20 years with the center, received the Jules Kolodny Award for outstanding leadership and commitment to the union movement. She said she had little support in her first teaching position, but she grew as a professional at her second school thanks to a UFT Teacher Center in the building.

“My goal has always been to empower my fellow educators,” Edwards said. “We’re in the business of growing people. I believe that teaching is a collective journey, and it’s important that we support each other.”

One new award this year was named for Richard Procida, a longtime Brooklyn District 19 representative who died in May.

District 79 Representative Patricia Crispino received the award in recognition of her long career as a chapter leader, delegate, district representative and arbitration advocate. Procida’s widow, Ellen, the former director of the UFT’s Grievance Department, presented the award with UFT Vice President for Elementary Schools Karen Alford.

“Patty’s dedication and commitment to our union are truly notable and she understands the challenges our union members face and is ... relentless in her support,” Alford said.

Seventy-six chapter leaders won Ely Trachtenberg Awards for their exemplary work building strong chapters.

See videos of Teacher Union Day 2024

One was Charles Goasdoue, a fourth-year chapter leader at Wings Academy in the Bronx. At first, he said, he was reluctant to run for the position, but now he doesn’t want to ever give it up. “I’ll do this forever,” he said. “Well, maybe not forever, but until I retire.”

Trachtenberg honoree Staci Aisha Vaughn, the chapter leader at Benjamin Banneker Academy in Brooklyn, said the position involves a lot of extra time and responsibility, “but it’s worth every minute to help my colleagues and myself to recognize or get the rights that they have earned and that they deserve.”

District 5 Representative Zina Burton-Myrick, who began teaching 40 years ago, received the David Wittes Award for her dedication and commitment to the UFT’s ideals.

The Backer/Scheintaub Award, recognizing new union leaders, was presented to teacher Clifford Hagen of IS 72 on Staten Island and UFT Member Representative Bradley Alter.

Special education liaison Elizabeth McGovern, who received the Sidney Harris Award for outstanding leadership in special education, said she and other advocates are the voice of children across New York City and are making a difference.

“Every child really must have the opportunity to be successful, no matter what the circumstances or what their needs are,” she said.

The union thanked 70 chapter leaders for serving 10, 15 and 20 years, and 30 years for Pathways to Graduation Chapter Leader Michael Friedman. Friedman also was one of six recipients of the Marsh/Raimo Award for political activism.

Political action is difficult, but it is the union’s lifeblood, UFT Political Director Vanecia Wilson said.

“Nothing, absolutely nothing, is just handed to us,” she said. “We have to fight for everything.”