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Paraprofessionals Festival & Awards Luncheon 2024

Nearly 700 paraprofessionals attended the UFT’s annual Paraprofessionals Festival & Awards Luncheon on March 23 at the New York Hilton in Midtown Manhattan. Fifteen paraprofessionals were honored for their outstanding service. Attendees participated in workshops to strengthen their practice and enjoyed a carnival featuring games and self-care. This year’s theme was “Superheroes of Education: Celebrating our Paraprofessional Powers.”

A woman smiles for the camera holding flowers after receiving an award.

Alyssa Formichelli, a paraprofessional at PS 46 on Staten Island, holds the flowers she received after accepting her award.

Erica Berger
A group of paraprofessionals stand on stage as they are honored for their work at the 2024 UFT Paraprofessional Festival and Awards celebration

These paraprofessionals were honored for their work. Flanking them are (from far left, standing) Renee Freeman, the first vice chair of the Paraprofessionals Chapter, and UFT President Michael Mulgrew and (far right, standing) UFT Secretary LeRoy Barr. Paraprofessionals Chapter Chair Priscilla Castro is seated in the front row (third from left).

Erica Berger
Paraprofessionals Chapter Leader Priscilla Castro speaks at the 2024 UFT Paraprofessionals Festival and Awards Luncheon.

Paraprofessionals Chapter Leader Priscilla Castro addresses members from the podium.

Erica Berger
A photo showing the size of the crowd at the 2024 UFT Paraprofessional Festival and Awards celebration

UFT President Michael Mulgrew welcomes the paraprofessionals to the awards luncheon.

Erica Berger
A paraprofessional performs for fellow attendees at the 2024 UFT Paraprofessional Festival and Awards Luncheon.

Paraprofessional (and entertainer!) James Burris, aka PETAWANE, brings his fellow members to their feet with his renditions of the Staple Singers’ “I’ll Take You There” and King Floyd’s “Groove Me.”

Erica Berger
A paraprofessional accepts an award and is all smiles at the 2024 UFT Paraprofessional Festival and Awards Celebration.

Paraprofessional Janet Velez of PS 206 in Manhattan beams as she shows off her award as Paraprofessionals Chapter Leader Priscilla Castro looks on.

Erica Berger
A student jazz band performs at the 2024 Paraprofessional Festival and Awards Luncheon

The Edward R. Murrow HS Jazz Band entertains the attendees with some of the classics.

Erica Berger
The keynote speaker at the 2024 UFT Paraprofessional Festival and Awards Luncheon Gloria Boseman uses humor during her keynote address.

Keynote speaker Gloria Boseman, a registered nurse and a professor at the New Jersey City University, uses humor to underscore the importance of delivering hope and making a difference in the classroom every day.

Erica Berger
Two women at the 2024 UFT Paraprofessional Festival and Awards Luncheon react to the keynote address.

Responding to the keynote address are (from left) Susan Silverman, the chapter leader at PS 188 @ MS 301 in the Bronx, and Migda Rodriguez, the paraprofessional representative at that school and the second vice chair of the Paraprofessionals Chapter.

Erica Berger
The Humanitarian Award winner at the 2024 Paraprofessional Festival and Awards Celebration stands on the stage with UFT leadership.

Congratulating Humanitarian Award winner Calvin Chandler (third from left), a paraprofessional at PS 628 in Brooklyn, are (from left) Renee Freeman, the first vice chair of the Paraprofessionals Chapter, UFT President Michael Mulgrew, Paraprofessionals Chapter Chair Priscilla Castro, UFT Secretary LeRoy Barr and UFT Assistant Secretary Michael Sill.

Erica Berger
A man leading a workshop asks participants to raise their hands.

Brandon Alfred (center), a behavior specialist with the UFT’s Positive Learning Collaborative, asks the participants to raise their hands and stand if their school celebrates the genius of paraprofessionals during the “Behavior Management: Healing-Centered Practices in the Classroom” workshop.

Erica Berger
A group of paraprofessionals gather around a roulette table during the carnival at the 2024 UFT Paraprofessional Festival and Awards Luncheon

Paraprofessionals crowd around the roulette table at the carnival as they attempt to win small toys for their students.

Erica Berger
Attendees at the 2024 UFT Paraprofessional Festival and Awards Luncheon take a group photo.

Attendees from PS 141 in Brooklyn enjoy the carnival, which offered games, dancing, health screenings, massages and manicures.

Erica Berger
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A woman smiles for the camera holding flowers after receiving an award.

Alyssa Formichelli, a paraprofessional at PS 46 on Staten Island, holds the flowers she received after accepting her award.

Erica Berger
A group of paraprofessionals stand on stage as they are honored for their work at the 2024 UFT Paraprofessional Festival and Awards celebration

These paraprofessionals were honored for their work. Flanking them are (from far left, standing) Renee Freeman, the first vice chair of the Paraprofessionals Chapter, and UFT President Michael Mulgrew and (far right, standing) UFT Secretary LeRoy Barr. Paraprofessionals Chapter Chair Priscilla Castro is seated in the front row (third from left).

Erica Berger
Paraprofessionals Chapter Leader Priscilla Castro speaks at the 2024 UFT Paraprofessionals Festival and Awards Luncheon.

Paraprofessionals Chapter Leader Priscilla Castro addresses members from the podium.

Erica Berger
A photo showing the size of the crowd at the 2024 UFT Paraprofessional Festival and Awards celebration

UFT President Michael Mulgrew welcomes the paraprofessionals to the awards luncheon.

Erica Berger
A paraprofessional performs for fellow attendees at the 2024 UFT Paraprofessional Festival and Awards Luncheon.

Paraprofessional (and entertainer!) James Burris, aka PETAWANE, brings his fellow members to their feet with his renditions of the Staple Singers’ “I’ll Take You There” and King Floyd’s “Groove Me.”

Erica Berger
A paraprofessional accepts an award and is all smiles at the 2024 UFT Paraprofessional Festival and Awards Celebration.

Paraprofessional Janet Velez of PS 206 in Manhattan beams as she shows off her award as Paraprofessionals Chapter Leader Priscilla Castro looks on.

Erica Berger
A student jazz band performs at the 2024 Paraprofessional Festival and Awards Luncheon

The Edward R. Murrow HS Jazz Band entertains the attendees with some of the classics.

Erica Berger
The keynote speaker at the 2024 UFT Paraprofessional Festival and Awards Luncheon Gloria Boseman uses humor during her keynote address.

Keynote speaker Gloria Boseman, a registered nurse and a professor at the New Jersey City University, uses humor to underscore the importance of delivering hope and making a difference in the classroom every day.

Erica Berger
Two women at the 2024 UFT Paraprofessional Festival and Awards Luncheon react to the keynote address.

Responding to the keynote address are (from left) Susan Silverman, the chapter leader at PS 188 @ MS 301 in the Bronx, and Migda Rodriguez, the paraprofessional representative at that school and the second vice chair of the Paraprofessionals Chapter.

Erica Berger
The Humanitarian Award winner at the 2024 Paraprofessional Festival and Awards Celebration stands on the stage with UFT leadership.

Congratulating Humanitarian Award winner Calvin Chandler (third from left), a paraprofessional at PS 628 in Brooklyn, are (from left) Renee Freeman, the first vice chair of the Paraprofessionals Chapter, UFT President Michael Mulgrew, Paraprofessionals Chapter Chair Priscilla Castro, UFT Secretary LeRoy Barr and UFT Assistant Secretary Michael Sill.

Erica Berger
A man leading a workshop asks participants to raise their hands.

Brandon Alfred (center), a behavior specialist with the UFT’s Positive Learning Collaborative, asks the participants to raise their hands and stand if their school celebrates the genius of paraprofessionals during the “Behavior Management: Healing-Centered Practices in the Classroom” workshop.

Erica Berger
A group of paraprofessionals gather around a roulette table during the carnival at the 2024 UFT Paraprofessional Festival and Awards Luncheon

Paraprofessionals crowd around the roulette table at the carnival as they attempt to win small toys for their students.

Erica Berger
Attendees at the 2024 UFT Paraprofessional Festival and Awards Luncheon take a group photo.

Attendees from PS 141 in Brooklyn enjoy the carnival, which offered games, dancing, health screenings, massages and manicures.

Erica Berger