The Department of Education has finally released this year’s allotments for the Teacher’s Choice program. School counselors can receive reimbursements of up to $105 for the purchase of school supplies during the 2023-24 school year.

This year, the funds are allocated differently because, after years of advocacy, for the first time ever paraprofessionals will receive $60 each in Teacher’s Choice funds.

The purchasing period for eligible supplies runs from Monday, Aug. 1, through mid-January. You will receive your Teacher’s Choice funds in your last November or first December paycheck.

To receive reimbursement through Teacher’s Choice, you must submit receipts as proof of purchase along with a DOE Statement of Purpose/Accountability form. The DOE will take back the money from those who don’t file that form and submit valid receipts.

For more information about the program, please see the Teacher’s Choice section of the UFT website. If you have any questions, please email Rosemarie Thompson at RThompson [at] uft [dot] org (RThompson[at]uft[dot]org).