Connection and community-building were the aims of a series of events organized by the UFT this spring to welcome its newest members. They took part in bowling, crafting, painting, nature walks and scavenger hunts across the five boroughs.

In Manhattan on March 21, new members bowled at Chelsea Piers. On April 4 on Staten Island, members built, sanded and painted wooden serving trays. The New York Botanical Garden welcomed new members in the Bronx on April 11 with a guided tour and a lesson in planting lavender, which they could take home. In Queens on April 18, new members participated in a “paint and sip,” an evening of refreshments and landscape painting. And on May 2, Brooklyn members took part in a lively scavenger hunt amid a roomful of arcade games at a sports bar and restaurant in East New York.

Erica Berger

David Rivera, a 5th–6th-grade teacher at PS 106 in the Bronx, gets up close and personal with one of the flowers at the New York Botanical Garden. 

 

New paraprofessional Yani Serrano, of PS 4 in Staten Island, joined her fellow new members to construct and decorate a serving tray at a creative studio on Staten Island. “I need to get to know more people in my field,” said Serrano. She said the event helped her feel more settled in her new role after years serving as a bilingual parent volunteer at the school. Getting information from other people, she noted, is sometimes easier than doing your own research. As for the tray she constructed, she said it was almost too nice to use. “I don’t want to damage it,” she said.

The UFT’s Member Assistance Program joined forces with the union’s New Member Initiative to plan these get-togethers for educators who have joined the union within the last three years.

Jonathan Fickies

Members’ eyes light up as they take part in a lively scavenger hunt at the Brooklyn arcade.

 

“We organized these events for new members because the UFT is always looking to deepen members’ relationships because it fosters greater retention, a tighter-knit community and support since public education is a challenging profession,” said Vice President Karen Alford, the head of the New Member Initiative.

Jonathan Fickies

It’s all in the wrist for teacher Gillian Auger of PS 397 in Manhattan as she lets one roll during the UFT’s new member event at Chelsea Piers.

 

Dozens of educators registered for each event, eager for the support and camaraderie of colleagues at the same stage of their careers.

“I like the community building,” said Stella Deng, a school counselor at the Jill Chaifetz Transfer HS in the Bronx who attended events in Staten Island and Queens. “Everyone here is just starting out, like me, so it’s a great way to connect.”

Rafi Feliciano, a speech teacher at MS 581 in Brooklyn, had a blast solving puzzles and winning points with her team at the Brooklyn arcade. But more important than the fun, she said, was the opportunity to build community and network. “Now we have people we can reach out to besides our mentors,” she said, “people who are in the same boat — which is important because things are always changing.”

Brooke Serebryansky, an occupational therapist at PS 255@307 in Queens, attended the paint and sip with Maria Fee and Stephanie Gutierrez, two speech teachers from her school. They said they appreciated the chance to see one another outside of school and to meet other new members and union leadership. “It’s nice that we’re supported by like-minded people who have the same agenda,” said Gutierrez. “And it’s nice to meet the people who are fighting for our rights.”

David Fresolone, a second-year global studies teacher at the HS of Economics and Finance in Manhattan, attended both the Manhattan bowling event and the Queens paint and sip. “I’m a way better bowler than painter,” he said as he readied his brushes and canvas. “But I still can’t wait to take home my œuvre.”