Following a strong lobbying effort by the UFT, the City Council maintained the previous year’s big increase in funding for Teacher’s Choice in the city budget. As a result, eligible UFT-represented educators will be reimbursed the same amounts as last school year for materials and supplies for the 2018–19 school year.

Teachers will each receive $250 in Teacher’s Choice money this school year. Guidance counselors, social workers and psychologists will receive $100. Occupational and physical therapists and school nurses will receive $85. Lab specialists will receive $75. And school secretaries will receive $50.

For the first time, thanks to the union’s dogged advocacy, universal literacy coaches and Single Shepherd program employees will receive a Teacher’s Choice allotment of $100. The program reimburses educators for out-of-pocket spending on classroom or work-related supplies.

The purchasing period began on Aug. 1 and will continue through mid-January. To receive reimbursement through Teacher’s Choice, you must save and submit your receipts as proof of purchase. These receipts must accompany a DOE Statement of Purpose/Accountability form.

Members will receive their Teacher’s Choice funds in their last November or first December paycheck. If you receive the funds in your paycheck and do not file an accountability form with required receipts by the deadline, you will be obligated to refund the money to the DOE.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew hailed elected officials for continuing to make Teacher’s Choice a priority.

“We thank Mayor Bill de Blasio, Speaker Corey Johnson, Finance Chair Danny Dromm, Education Chair Mark Treyger and the entire Council for being a clear, strong voice on behalf of our students, teachers and communities,” Mulgrew said.