Linda Stevens was a UFT member for 37 years and taught fifth grade at PS 4 in Queens. She was known as a solution-oriented person and for bettering the lives of students, parents, teachers and school staff. Linda received an excellence in teaching award and traveled to South Africa to sing for families in need.

Garfield Hull was a UFT member for 21 years and taught at PS 373 in Brooklyn for decades and worked as the coordinator of the Kingsbrook Jewish Hospital work site. Garfield heroically ran into his own burning apartment in an attempt to save his wife and suffered fatal burns. His wife, Loina Senat, was not in the apartment and she has survived him. Garfield had worked a long career in various agencies for people with developmental disabilities and was a life-changing influence in his students lives.

Richard Porta was a school counsellor at PS 134 in Manhattan known for his dedication. A UFT member for 30 years, Richard invested his own time and money in furthering his knowledge and skills in the interest of helping the children and made his office a haven for kids to resolve their problems so they could return to the classroom. He took inspiration from Buddhism to bring calming practices into the school to help troubled children. In his spare time, Richard was a photographer and enjoyed folk music.

John Gillen worked for many years as a history teacher at New Dorp HS in Staten Island until his retirement in 1977. He was known for his expertise in the American Civil War and yearly trips to Gettysburg. John was also a UFT activist and volunteer throughout his teaching career and he participated in union organizing, rallies, contract actions, campaign phone banks and served as delegate to AFT and NYSUT conventions. John is remembered fondly by his UFT colleagues and friends. Among his hobbies, John was an avid Eagles fan and enjoyed collecting model trains.

Amy Sims served as a UFT chapter leader at City College Academy of the Arts in Manhattan for seven years. She was an empowering presence at her school, showing her colleagues what a strong, fearless and capable woman she was and inspiring her students to be their best selves no matter what. She dispensed wisdom with wit and sarcasm and had an exceptional ability to motivate her students to do their very best. Her colleagues honor her memory with a scholarship for deserving students, which has awarded four $1,000 scholarships in Amy's name since 2015.

Jacqueline Diaz-Olive was a dedicated paraprofessional for District 12 in the Bronx for over 35 years. She worked with all grades but was especially devoted to grades 6–8, where students looked to her for guidance. Jacqueline never hesitated to help her colleagues with any on-the-job issues or even personal concerns. She always encouraged other paras to continue their education to reach their goals. Jacqueline’s legacy includes both her eldest daughter and granddaughter becoming teachers.

Suzanne Darrigrand spent 28 years as a dedicated teacher in various schools, most recently sharing her love of music with the students of PS 15 in the Bronx. She earned a BS in psychology and an MS in elementary education from SUNY Binghamton. Sue loved to travel to new places, ski black diamond slopes and enjoyed photographing the beauty of nature.

Dorothy L. Johnson was a UFT member for over 35 years, most recently as an administrator in District 17 in Brooklyn. She began her career as a teacher and was a former UFT chapter leader. She is survived by her husband, William S. Johnson, and her five children and nine grandchildren.

Sheila Milner was a UFT member for 50 years, most recently as a teacher trainer in Manhattan elementary schools. She was a devoted teacher who dedicated her life to educate her students and prepare them for life.