When Nicole Keaster purchased a Nespresso coffee machine for her home during the 2023 winter recess, she quickly realized it was something her school chapter could use. So she bought another one to bring to the school, and that’s how A Tiny Cup of Joy — the coffee room set up in her UFT office — became a hub for chapter members to chat and support one another.

“It was born out of a need for joy and for everybody to come together,” said Keaster, in her 20th year of teaching and third as the chapter leader at IS 5, a large, diverse middle school in Elmhurst, Queens.

The UFT members at the school are loving the new coffee room and have collected money to purchase supplies, including a table and chairs.

Math teacher William Carl said the room has “become an informal space where I’ve connected with other UFT members I previously didn’t know well. It provides a relaxed environment for meaningful interactions, idea-sharing and trust-building.”

Bringing the staff “together” has been Keaster’s main objective since becoming chapter leader.

“If you have a strong community of respect, you can do all of the other things,” Keaster said.

Her success has been evident in the chapter’s enthusiastic participation in the fight for a fair contract in 2023 and a day of action where members wore black to oppose Success Academy co-locations in Queens.

At UFT night at Citi Field last spring, more than 100 of IS 5’s 132 members attended a Mets game together — with one winning the honor to throw out the first pitch! And the chapter won a catered lunch for its participation in the Queens UFT’s 2024 March Madness contest.

Keaster has established a “secret pal” project in which members anonymously do nice deeds for other members.

“When you’re least expecting it, somebody drops a bacon, egg and cheese for you in the morning and your day is improved right from the start,” Keaster said.

UFT delegate Kristine Waller said she has witnessed a real change in the work environment and student learning as a result of Keaster’s efforts. “Nicole not only helped me to see the importance of our collective voice, but also inspired me to become an active member of our union,” she said.

Carl has also felt her influence. “Personally,” he said, “I have never felt more valued, informed and supported as a teacher.”