UFT members from Brooklyn surround state Assembly Member Brian Cunningham, a charter school supporter, to let him know that expansion would harm public schools in New York City.

Jennifer Browne (left), the chapter leader at Brownsville Academy HS in Brooklyn, and other high school members arrive in Albany ready to advocate for New York City public schools.

Mayra Cruz (right), the District 6 UFT representative, and Manhattan chapter leaders (from left) Evelyn Vargas of PS 115, Claribel Riss of PS 192 and Sonia Burke of A. Philip Randolph Campus HS don their new UFT hats as they arrive at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center.

Senate Education Committee Chair Shelly Mayer tells members: “We have a responsibility to make sure every public school is fully funded for every child and that’s why we are rejecting the governor’s proposals on charters.”

David Doorga (seated), the UFT’s District 75 representative, gathers with his members before they begin their lobbying.

Chapter Leader Randi Leibson (center) of PS 78 on Staten Island applauds one of the Lobby Day speakers.

State Assembly Member Steven Raga meets with Queens high school and middle school members, including teacher Meghan Leston (right) of the Academy of Medical Technology in Far Rockaway.

Bronx District 11 members make their case against Gov. Kathy Hochul’s charter school expansion proposal to Assembly Member John Zaccaro, who recently spoke at a rally in support of the governor’s position. 

Assembly Member Vivian Cook of Queens poses for a photo with UFT District 28 members after their lobbying meeting.

Nicholas Cruz (third from left), the UFT’s director of community and parent engagement, smiles for the camera with some of the public school parents and caregivers who joined UFT members in Albany to advocate for public schools.

With the parent and community cohort at UFT Lobby Day are (from left) Valerie Soulet, a parent advocate and Community Education Council member; Ana Rivera, a parent advocate and community schools advocate; and Samantha Velez, a parent coordinator in District 10.