Professional growth for new teachers
Your union is here to support you as you grow throughout your career. See below for UFT and DOE initiatives that provide professional development and assistance for new teachers:
LearnUFT
As a state-approved provider of Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) hours, the UFT’s LearnUFT program offers low-cost professional learning opportunities specifically designed to meet our members’ needs. These workshops are taught by qualified teachers and instructors, specifically designed to meet members’ needs. State regulations now require all teachers who hold professional certificates and paraprofessionals who hold Level III teaching assistant certificates to collect and track 100 professional development hours (known as CTLE hours) by a state-approved provider in five-year cycles.
LearnUFT offers work sessions in all five borough offices after school, on weekends and during the summer. See a listing of available courses. The UFT is also committed to archiving members’ certificates of completion for CTLE hours they obtain through LearnUFT, so that you can be sure there is a backup of your records.
UFT Teacher Centers
The UFT Teacher Center is a school-based professional development program that promotes teacher excellence and academic achievement for all students.
The Teacher Center operates throughout the five boroughs of New York City at school-based sites and other outreach locations. Drawing on current research and best practices, the Teacher Center's professional development activities for educators are designed to deepen content knowledge and enhance pedagogical skill. Activities range widely and include instructional coaching and projects, problem-solving classroom management situations, integrating instructional technology in your classroom and ongoing professional learning connected to classroom practices.
A highlight of UFT Teacher Center offerings is its series of conferences held on weekends during the school year. Always well-attended, these conferences are wonderful sources of high-quality professional development in specific academic areas such as literacy, early childhood, math or programs for English language learners.
New teacher support groups
These sessions provide new members with general union information and concrete educational support. Learn about welfare fund health benefits, pension plans and TDA, end-ofterm procedures, and essentials about licensing, tenure and certification. Educational sessions concentrate on student engagement, professional collaboration and classroom management. The UFT Teacher Center provides CTLE credits for some educational sessions.
These sessions provide an opportunity to help one another get through the nuances of a school year. Participants can discuss stressors and challenges and strategize ideas. The MAP program helps them develop support systems and learn how to engage and navigate through the many mental health resources provided inside and outside the union. These groups are open to all new teachers (1-3 years).
They are held at central headquarters and in each borough office.
Partners Through Experience
This is a voluntary program that matches a new teacher (1–3 years of experience) with a recent retiree (from 1–5 years) to form a collaborative relationship. For new teachers, it’s a great way to receive support and guidance when starting out in the profession and addresses your own questions and concerns. For retirees, it’s a great way to stay active in the life of the union and share valuable experience with new teachers. For more information, contact mapinfo [at] uft [dot] org (mapinfo[at]uft[dot]org) or register online.
Mentors
Eligible new teachers receive 10 months and at least 40 hours of mentoring throughout their first 180 school days of employment. Mentors are experienced colleagues who have trained extensively in ways to best support you.
They may demonstrate lessons, co-teach classes with you and offer constructive feedback on your teaching practices, depending on your particular needs.
Mentors can also help you analyze student work, make suggestions about planning instruction and help you connect to people and instructional resources in your building.
Perhaps most important, mentors work with you on a non-evaluative, non-judgmental basis, and your discussions are professional and confidential.
If you believe you are eligible and have not heard from a mentor by mid-September (or for spring-term hires, two weeks into the term), see your UFT chapter leader or call your UFT borough office.
UFT Courses Program
Thousands of UFT members enroll each year in the UFT Course Program. In partnership with a variety of colleges, the union provides reduced tuition graduate-level courses to enable you to qualify for state certification or a salary differential, earn a master’s degree or simply strengthen your teaching skills. See the current listings.