New York TeacherSeptember 5, 2019
Low pay pushing teachers out of the profession: Fifty percent of teachers say they’ve considered leaving the profession over low pay, stress and a lack of respect, according to an August report by PDK International, a professional association for educators. Another national poll released in August by the research journal Education Next found a record level of bipartisan support for increasing teachers’ salaries.
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Latest News
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Low pay pushing teachers out of the profession
Fifty percent of teachers say they’ve considered leaving the profession over low pay, stress and a lack of respect, according to an August report by PDK International, a professional association for educators. Another national poll released in August by the research journal Education Next found a record level of bipartisan support for increasing teachers’ salaries.
The PDK survey found that about 60 percent of 556 teachers surveyed said their pay is unfair. High school teachers were the most likely to say they have considered quitting, with 61 percent reporting that they’ve thought about leaving the profession.
The Education Next poll found that 56 percent of Americans support raising teacher pay when told what the average teacher in their state earns. For those not told about existing pay levels, 72 percent supported higher pay for public school teachers. The online survey also found majority support among the general public for more state and federal spending on education.
![Piggy bank with dollar sign - generic](/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/photo/pink-piggy-bank-money-sign.jpg?itok=b6x6wVsq)
Low pay pushing teachers out of the profession
Fifty percent of teachers say they’ve considered leaving the profession over low pay, stress and a lack of respect.
![50 and 20 US dollar bills with coins](/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/photos/dollars-cents-genetic.jpg?itok=OhYawohA)
Newark scraps teacher merit-pay scheme
The union representing Newark teachers announced a five-year deal with its school district on Aug. 13 that eliminates merit-based bonuses and allows low-rated teachers to earn pay increases. The changes overturn key elements of a controversial 2012 contract and represent a shift away from former Mayor Cory Booker’s education reform agenda, which sought to introduce corporate-style accountability and compensation practices into public education.
Member Spotlight
![Lucille Swaim](/sites/default/files/styles/medium_auto/public/photos/UFT_contract_guru_Lucille_Swaim_dies_UFT-PO-104_065.jpg?itok=E80WkFAI)
UFT contract guru Lucille Swaim dies
Lucille Swaim, the coordinator of negotiations for every UFT contract from the first one in 1962 until her retirement in 2015, died on July 1 at the age of 87.
Her fingerprints are on every contractual improvement UFT members enjoy today.
“Lucille was a quiet hero,” said UFT President Michael Mulgrew. “She put her heart, soul and intellect into helping generations of educators and UFT members. She helped build this union.”
Swaim came to the UFT in 1961 during efforts to organize city teachers, and she stayed to negotiate the first comprehensive collective bargaining agreement covering teachers anywhere in the nation.
“That contract,” she later said, “broke the ground for teachers to start organizing…
![Christina Gavin](/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/photos/What_I_Do_331_Christina_04.jpg?h=1a2139ca&itok=PVicljva)
What I do: Christina Gavin, school librarian
Christina Gavin is the librarian at the Herbert H. Lehman HS Campus in the Bronx, where she serves 3,200 students and more than 300 staff members in the seven schools that share the building.
![Yvonne Reasen](/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/photos/Kudos_to_Yvonne_Reasen_333_0021.jpg?itok=h-Fn1J-0)
Kudos to Yvonne Reasen, Engineering and Technical Academy, Bronx
Bronx Engineering and Technical Academy Chapter Leader Yvonne Reasen used the new expedited resolution process for operational issues, negotiated as part of the 2018 DOE-UFT contract, to get the basic instructional supplies desperately needed by science teachers at her school.
Your Rights and Benefits
Know Your Rights
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Class size and instructional materials
As we enter a new school year, teachers should be aware of their rights to reasonable class sizes and basic instructional materials.
Your Well-being
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Setting yourself up for a great year
Maybe it’s your first year of teaching, maybe it’s your 21st, but there are always ways to set yourself up for a great school year ahead.
You Should Know
Grants, Awards & Freebies
![A teacher with young students A teacher with young students](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_3x2_scale_and_crop_330x220/public/photos/grants-awards-190385567_m.jpg?itok=QBA85Vo9)
Grants, Awards & Freebies
See our list of current opportunities for educators to receive funds and recognition for their hard work and dedication.
Q&A on the Issues
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Teachers and the observation process
The UFT seized the opportunity presented by the 2018 contract negotiations with the city Department of Education to revise the teacher evaluation system to focus on quality of observations rather than quantity and to incorporate meaningful professional development as part of the process. Here’s what you can expect for the 2019–20 school year.
Secure Your Future
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Pension benefits in a nutshell
With the start of a new school year, we know you’re busy with new students. But while you’re busy thinking about others, the start of the school year is also an excellent time to think about securing your own future.
You Should Know
![Money Money](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_3x2_scale_and_crop_330x220/public/photo/generic-money.jpg?h=bf2186d2&itok=VoQK4Z50)
Grievance filed over training $$
The UFT filed a union-initiated grievance over the rate of pay for members who participated in curriculum training this summer for enVisionmath.
You Should Know
![UFT members marching UFT members marching](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_3x2_scale_and_crop_330x220/public/photos/hero-image-chapters.jpg?h=af39aa55&itok=6EfRcucC)
3 functional chapters elect new leaders
Three of the UFT's functional chapters recently elected new chapter leaders.
You Should Know
![City kids state test scores go up again chart City kids state test scores go up again chart](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_3x2_scale_and_crop_330x220/public/photos/City-kids-state-test-scores-go-up-again.png?h=61d8661f&itok=Hr5XrysD)
City kids’ state test scores go up again
New York City public school students improved their performance on state math and English tests for grades 3 through 8 for the sixth year in a row, according to 2019 test scores released by the state Education Department on Aug. 22.
You Should Know
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Teacher’s Choice amounts set
UFT-represented educators are eligible for reimbursement for some of their out-of-pocket classroom expenses through Teacher's Choice.
Opinions
President's Perspective
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Building on our strengths
Welcome back. I hope you enjoyed a restful summer break and you’re re-energized for the year ahead. As always, we’re here to help you meet the challenges and opportunities that present themselves every September. Please extend yourself to the new teachers who are finding their footing in the classroom this year. We’ve all been there, and it can be daunting.
VPerspective
![UFT welcomes new teachers UFT welcomes new teachers](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_3x2_scale_and_crop_330x220/public/photos/uft-welcomes-new-teachers.jpg?h=4473c0d4&itok=Tr1ph6OX)
Welcome to your new union family
This September, 3,000 new teachers have joined the city Department of Education’s ranks. Their interests and backgrounds are as diverse as New York City itself. But whether they teach 3-year-olds on Staten Island or high school biology in Brooklyn, they all have one thing in common: They belong to our United Federation of Teachers family.
Editorials
![Hector Figueroa 32BJ president Hector Figueroa leaning into microphone](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_3x2_scale_and_crop_330x220/public/photos/hector-figueroa.jpg?itok=L4OV9Yds)
Figueroa's legacy
Hector Figueroa, the president of 32BJ Service Employees International Union who died on July 11, was an exemplary partner in the critical fight for social and economic justice.
Editorials
![Paraprofessional Lead Teacher Assistant Paraprofessional Lead Teacher Assistant](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_3x2_scale_and_crop_330x220/public/photo/generic-para-333-69.jpg?h=15297c14&itok=9sYxm_-1)
Keep G&T
In pursuit of equity, the city’s School Diversity Advisory group has proposed getting rid of the gifted and talented program in the public schools. It’s a bad idea.
Editorial Cartoons
Teaching Resources
Linking to Learning
![GrantsAlert.com GrantsAlert.com](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_3x2_scale_and_crop_330x220/public/photos/Grants_can_fund_your_technology_GrantsAlert.com_.jpg?h=aaf0f2cb&itok=FtAuLR-2)
Grants can fund your technology projects
The start of a school year is a good time to plan how to integrate technology in your classroom. Many teachers have great ideas but do not have access to the hardware or software they need to run with them. Other than asking your principal to purchase equipment on a tight budget, education grants can provide needed funds for technology projects.
Teaching
![UFT welcomes new teachers UFT welcomes new teachers](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_3x2_scale_and_crop_330x220/public/photos/uft-welcomes-new-teachers.jpg?h=4473c0d4&itok=Tr1ph6OX)
UFT welcomes new teachers
The UFT welcomed thousands of new members into the union at the DOE’s New Teacher Week on Aug. 19 - 21.
Teacher to Teacher
![Students in Carolyn Tyner's 7th-grade ELA class at Sunset Park Prep in Brooklyn show off their personal narratives in the style of graphic novels. Four book covers illustrated by students reading The Water Park, The Wedding, the Bike](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_3x2_scale_and_crop_330x220/public/photos/students-graphic-novelists.jpg?itok=aRBK1C1G)
Your students can be graphic novelists
By reading graphic novels and going through the graphic narrative process with the students, I shared an important interest of theirs and saw them take intense ownership of their learning.
Building Your Career
New Teacher Profiles
![Teacher Patricia Belluscio says every activity she does with the infants and toddlers in the LYFE program at Cascades HS in Manhattan is a building block and sets a foundation for the future. Teacher sitting on classroom couch holding a book while two young students look on](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_3x2_scale_and_crop_330x220/public/photos/lyfe-317-O9A3457.jpg?itok=bRdDdQa3)
That's 'LYFE'
Patricia Belluscio left a career in the fashion industry to work with infants and toddlers in the LYFE program.
Inside My Classroom
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How to pick a book
It was my goal last school year to encourage my students to pick books to read for fun.
New Teacher Articles
![How to start the new year off right Young women talking to each other while seated in a large group gathering](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_3x2_scale_and_crop_330x220/public/photos/how-start-new-year-right-20190905.jpg?h=774582ea&itok=2uvmAkGC)
How to start the new year off right
Welcome to a new school year! The first few weeks may feel like a whirlwind, and you probably have a lot on your mind. Here are just a few tips to help you launch a great year.
Retired Teachers News
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Stepping out
After 31 years in the classroom as a life science teacher, Kim McCarthy has traded in her microscopes and lesson plans for the Wobble, the Cupid Shuffle and Booty Call.
Like so many UFT retirees, she has found her life’s “second act” and is “having a blast.”
Right after retirement in 2013, McCarthy signed up for salsa and belly dancing classes at the Bronx Si Beagle Center, but was always on the lookout for an urban line dancing class. When she didn’t find one, she created one that has grown into two Si Beagle classes.
Now, there’s a waiting list every semester to get into her Rhythm and Blues Line Dancing classes for beginners and advanced terpsichoreans.
Although McCarthy knew most of the popular line dances, she felt she wasn’t quite ready to teach a class so she checked the internet, found the latest dances, learned them, practiced them and now she stays one step ahead of her students with the…
![Mature women sit at table and share a meal](/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/photos/new-jersey-group-growing-faster-20190905.jpg?itok=pBnH9rHQ)
New Jersey group ‘growing fast’
Judy Rosenstein is “excited” about the challenges facing her as the new leader of the RTC’s New Jersey section and about “pulling together” as many of the 4,750 UFT retirees living in New Jersey as she can. “With 55-and-over communities springing up all over the state,” she pointed out, “we are growing fast.”
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Automatic COLA increase
In 2000, after several frustrating years, the UFT, NYSUT and the rest of the state’s labor movement convinced New York State to provide an annual, permanent cost-of-living adjustment to retiree pensions.