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Clinicians Appreciation Day

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New York Teacher
Clinicians Appreciation Day 124 03A0335
Erica Berger

Social workers and psychologists listen to a presentation.

Ketisha Peters, a social worker at Thomas Jefferson HS in East New York, Brooklyn, plans to start an LGBTQ alliance in her school. She was inspired by a professional development session at the UFT Social Workers and Psychologists Chapter’s 14th annual Clinicians Appreciation Day. “I was blown away,” Peters said of her first UFT event. “I’m looking forward to taking additional courses.” Peters was among the more than 400 UFT members who came to union headquarters in Manhattan on Jan. 17 to attend workshops on reducing testing anxiety through mindfulness and creating LGBTQ-inclusive schools. They also heard from Chapter Leader Raul Garcia and MaryJo Ginese, the UFT’s vice president for special education. “People told me constantly how well-appreciated the professional development was,” said Garcia, who made sure the sessions were tailored to clinicians’ needs. This school year, he said, his chapter’s members have turned out in record numbers at UFT events, where they can network and “learn about the progress their chapter has made.”

Sharing a laugh between workshop sessions

Sharing a laugh between workshop sessions are (from left) Nigel Powell, a social worker at PS 184 in Brooklyn; Maureen O’Dea, a social worker at PS 284 and PS 150 in Brooklyn; and Samantha Wright, a school psychologist for the Committee on Special Education in District 6.

Erica Berger
Katherine Peinvoich presents to the group about reducing test anxiety with mindfulness

Katherine Peinvoich, a social worker for the Child Mind Institute, presents to the group about reducing test anxiety with mindfulness in schools.

Erica Berger
The room is packed

The room is packed with more than 400 social workers and psychologists.

Erica Berger
Social workers chat with colleagues at their table.

Social workers Malina Mulero (left) of Queens Restart Academy and Kellie Rivera of The Matilda Avenue School in the Bronx chat with colleagues at their table.

Erica Berger
Raul Garcia, the UFT chapter leader

Raul Garcia, the UFT chapter leader for social workers and psychologists, addresses the group.

Erica Berger
Attendees listen to a presentation

Attendees listen to a presentation.

Erica Berger
Mitchell Klages-Bombich leads the presentation about creating LGBTQ inclusive schools

Mitchell Klages-Bombich, who works at UFT headquarters for the Positive Learning Collaborative, leads the presentation about creating LGBTQ inclusive schools.

Erica Berger
Julie Richardson introduces presenters from the Child Mind Institute

Julie Richardson, the former UFT chapter leader for social workers and psychologists, introduces presenters from the Child Mind Institute: Katherine Peinvoich (left) and Grace Berman.

Erica Berger
Attendees crowd around registration tables

Attendees crowd around registration tables.

Erica Berger
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Sharing a laugh between workshop sessions

Sharing a laugh between workshop sessions are (from left) Nigel Powell, a social worker at PS 184 in Brooklyn; Maureen O’Dea, a social worker at PS 284 and PS 150 in Brooklyn; and Samantha Wright, a school psychologist for the Committee on Special Education in District 6.

Erica Berger
Katherine Peinvoich presents to the group about reducing test anxiety with mindfulness

Katherine Peinvoich, a social worker for the Child Mind Institute, presents to the group about reducing test anxiety with mindfulness in schools.

Erica Berger
The room is packed

The room is packed with more than 400 social workers and psychologists.

Erica Berger
Social workers chat with colleagues at their table.

Social workers Malina Mulero (left) of Queens Restart Academy and Kellie Rivera of The Matilda Avenue School in the Bronx chat with colleagues at their table.

Erica Berger
Raul Garcia, the UFT chapter leader

Raul Garcia, the UFT chapter leader for social workers and psychologists, addresses the group.

Erica Berger
Attendees listen to a presentation

Attendees listen to a presentation.

Erica Berger
Mitchell Klages-Bombich leads the presentation about creating LGBTQ inclusive schools

Mitchell Klages-Bombich, who works at UFT headquarters for the Positive Learning Collaborative, leads the presentation about creating LGBTQ inclusive schools.

Erica Berger
Julie Richardson introduces presenters from the Child Mind Institute

Julie Richardson, the former UFT chapter leader for social workers and psychologists, introduces presenters from the Child Mind Institute: Katherine Peinvoich (left) and Grace Berman.

Erica Berger
Attendees crowd around registration tables

Attendees crowd around registration tables.

Erica Berger
Related Topics: Professional development