Teacher Union Day

UFT President Michael Mulgrew presents the Charles Cogen Award, the union’s highest honor, to Tom Murphy in recognition of Murphy’s nearly 60 years of outstanding service as an educator, union activist, political director and Retired Teachers Chapter leader.

Chapter leaders are congratulated by UFT Political Director Vanecia Wilson (second from left) after receiving Marsh/Raimo Awards for their political activism. Manhattan Member Representative Seung Lee (center) accepted on behalf of his wife, Chapter Leader Carmen Romero Lee.

District 79 Representative Patricia Crispino (second from left) accepts the new Richard Procida Award from Ellen Gallin Procida (left), the wife of the late District 19 representative for whom the award is named, in recognition of her service to the union, commitment to labor relations and student advocacy, as Mulgrew and UFT Vice President Karen Alford look on.

Forty-five elementary school chapter leaders receive Ely Trachtenberg Awards for their exemplary service.

Union officials gather on stage with the 10 middle school chapter leaders who received Ely Trachtenberg Awards for exemplary service.

High school members who received Ely Trachtenberg Awards for their exemplary service as chapter leaders take a group photo with union officials.

About 1,500 members, friends and families pack the Grand Ballroom at the New York Hilton Midtown for Teacher Union Day.

Ten UFT members line up on stage with Mulgrew and UFT Secretary LeRoy Barr after receiving Albert Lee Smallheiser Awards in recognition of their efforts to improve working conditions for their colleagues.

Members are honored with the Collective Action Award for their success in organizing at their schools and NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn, which is represented by the Federation of Nurses/UFT.

Member Representative Bradley Alter (center) accepts his Backer/Scheintaub Award, which is given to encourage new union leaders. He is flanked by (from left) Staten Island District Representative Sean Rotkowitz, who accepted IS 72 Staten Island member Clifford Hagen’s Backer/Scheintaub Award; Mulgrew; UFT Vice President for Middle Schools Richard Mantell; and Barr.

UFT special education liaison Elizabeth McGovern (right) holds the Sidney Harris Award presented to her by UFT Vice President for Special Education MaryJo Ginese in honor of her leadership in special education.

UFT members at four schools in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island take a photo with UFT officials after receiving Audrey Chasen Awards, named for a former teacher mentor in city public schools.

District 5 Representative Zina Burton Myrick (left) is joined by Manhattan Borough Representative Servia Silva after receiving the David Wittes Award for her outstanding courage, dedication and commitment to the ideals of the UFT.

UFT Teacher Center coach Evelyn Edwards accepts the Jules Kolodny Award for outstanding leadership and commitment to the trade union movement.

District 75 members attend Teacher Union Day with District 75 Representative David Doorga (center).

PS 200, Brooklyn, teachers (from left) Kris Norris, Danielle Caracciolo and Christine Perez arrive at Teacher Union Day to support their school's honoree – Chapter Leader Katherine Lameras, who received a Trachtenberg Award.

Charles Goasdoue (standing, at left), the chapter leader at Wings Academy HS in the Bronx, celebrates his 2024 Trachtenberg Award with retired UFT Special Representative John Monteforte (sitting, center); Ross Chadon (sitting, at left) and past Trachtenberg Award winners from Wings Academy HS Matthew Foglino and Shannette Richards.

Marsh/Raimo awardee Chris Alena (third from left), the chapter leader at Curtis HS in Staten Island, enjoys the reception that followed Teacher Union Day with Mulgrew (fourth from left) and Staten Island supporters.