The workday of a substitute teacher is fixed at 6 hours and 50 minutes, inclusive of lunch, every day (Monday through Friday), regardless of a school's professional development or parent engagement schedule. Substitutes may not leave before they have completed a full 6 hours and 50 minute workday, even if students have been dismissed.

During the extra 30 minutes when students are not in attendance, the DOE's expectation is that you will attend 30 minutes of the professional development sessions, or on non-PD days, spend the time leaving an account for the teacher you covered, planning for the following day, reflecting on the day, returning and organizing class materials, reviewing records for accuracy, meeting with colleagues to obtain feedback, or carrying out other instructional/classroom administrative tasks which might be assigned. 

The daily rate of pay for a substitute teacher, effective Feb. 1, 2019, is $188.75. Effective May 14, 2020,, it was$193.47; and effective May 14, 2021,  it was $199.27. Effective Sept. 14, 2022, the pay rate is $205.25. The workday is fixed at 6 hours and 50 minutes per day, inclusive of lunch.  

The workday of a substitute para is based on a workday of 6 hours and 50 minutes, inclusive of lunch. The student day ends after 6 hours and 20 minutes. The school to which the para is assigned has the discretion to decide whether the substitute must remain past the end of the student day. If a principal chooses to release the substitute para at the end of the student day, the pay will be prorated based on a 6 hour, 20 minute workday. 

If the school requires the substitute to remain beyond the end of the student day, the substitute should be assigned to duties such as working with a classroom teacher, reflecting on the day, or attending a professional development session.

Effective Feb. 1, 2019, the daily pay rate for a substitute paraprofessional was $157.87 and based on a workday of 6 hours and 50 minutes. If a principal chooses to release the substitute para at the end of the student day, the pay will be prorated based on a 6-hour, 20-minute workday.

Pay for substitute paras increased on May 14, 2020, to $161.82, and to $166.67 as of May 14, 2021. As of Sept. 14, 2022, the daily pay rate is $171.67.

Broadway Bridges is one program sponsored by the Broadway League in partnership with the UFT that offers $10 tickets to Broadway shows for high school sophomores and their chaperones. The hope is to provide an opportunity for every New York City public high school student to see a Broadway show before they graduate. To participate, first register on the Broadway Bridges website. Ticket requests are fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about the program, you can email bridges@broadway.org. 

The UFT Member Assistance Program, in collaboration with the UFT's Retiree Social Services, offers caregiver support groups to all UFT members. Participants connect in a safe and confidential space to share experiences, share tips and strategies with other caregivers who are in similar situations. The Health and Cancer Helpline also offers caregiver support. The Helpline works closely with caregivers to alleviate the stress they may be experiencing by providing emotional support, tips for coping, and referrals to caregiving support groups.

Teachers with 0-3 years of experience should check out the New Teacher section of the UFT website. This section contains information about mentoring, certification, licensing, the New Member Handbook, and much more. 

UFT functional chapter members--such as a school counselor, a social worker or school secretary, for example--can find information tailored to their chapter's specific needs on the UFT website. Around 40 functional chapters have their own sections of the website, which offer important resources, chapter news, contact information for chapter representatives, contract details, and more. To view the full lineup of the UFT's functional chapters, both DOE and non-DOE, go to the Our Chapters section of the UFT website to find your specific chapter. 

Newly hired teachers and school clinicians in certain shortage areas in select districts may be eligible for the Department of Education Loan Forgiveness Program for their student loans. Your DOE hire date must be between Sept. 3 and Nov. 15 of the current school year. Eligible loans include Perkins and Stafford loans. After six years of satisfactory service, you can be awarded as much as $24,000. Applications for this year are due by Nov. 15, 2019.

For more information, such as subject area eligibility, district restrictions, and other requirements, see the DOE's Loan Forgiveness Handout. Use this online form to apply. If you have any questions, email uftdoeloanforgiveness@uft.org.

Teachers who have completed three years of teaching and are striving to further their growth may want to consider working toward National Board Certification — a designation that not only would bring them to the city’s second salary differential, but also would put them among the nation’s most accomplished teachers. This certification is evidence that you have reached a level of excellence in your field based on rigorous standards.
 

The UFT Teacher Center offers a pre-candidacy course to help participants prepare for this rigorous process, as well as ongoing support throughout the program. Visit the UFT Teacher Center's dedicated page to learn more about the support offered for members pursuing National Board Certification.