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

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).

Paraprofessionals Chapter Leader Priscilla Castro addresses members from the podium.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew welcomes the paraprofessionals to the 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.”

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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