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Schools work to meet new drinking water standards

Catherine Rizos — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:29:00 -0400

Schools around the state are working diligently to comply with new, more stringent lead standards that will make school drinking water even safer for students, educators and others who spend time in school buildings.

NYSUT Health and Safety has created a fact sheet to help schools familiarize themselves with required sampling, remediation, reporting and record-keeping requirements; review the state Department of Health’s resources on the topic; and recommit to ensuring their drinking water meets the state’s new, safer standards. The fact sheet includes definitions of key terms, links to related DOH resources, and frequently asked questions on the topic.

Lead is a known toxin that has the potential to affect multiple organ systems in the body. It can be especially harmful to children, whose neurological systems are still developing. Elevated lead levels in children often stem from exposure to chipped or peeling lead paint, especially in older homes, but can also happen due to consumption of lead-contaminated water. Lead gets into drinking water as lead pipes, fixtures, and the solder used to connect pipes corrode over time.

This is of greatest concern in older buildings — including schools — built before 1986, when the federal Safe Drinking Water Act was amended to prohibit the use of materials in plumbing that were not “lead free.” That amendment significantly decreased the risk of lead contamination in drinking water for new buildings, but it did not address the risk in existing buildings. For that reason, schools across New York have long been required to test their drinking water regularly for lead.

Until recently, New York’s “action level” for lead in drinking water — the level at which a school is required to undertake remediation, including repair of pipes and fixtures — was 15 parts per billion, which aligned with federal regulations for school drinking water.

In December 2022, New York revised the public health law governing school potable water standards and testing to reduce the action level for lead from 15 ppb to 5 ppb. Schools were required to test using the new threshold during a three-year compliance period that ended Dec. 22, 2025. The updated law also removed previous exemptions for some buildings previously considered “lead free,” and instituted new requirements for reporting test results to the public and providing alternative water sources free of charge when drinking water outlets are taken out of service.

“Schools around the state are adjusting to these new regulations and the procedures and requirements that come along with them,” said Ron Gross, NYSUT’s second vice president. “Our members are taking action to ensure their drinking water is safe for students and all who pass through their buildings. It’s beneficial for the whole school community.”

NYSUT’s Program Services Department is available to provide support to members and answer questions that come up as they work through this important process, said Gross.

NYSUT releases statement on ELT's Science of Reading Program

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 08:22:00 -0400

NYSUT has released the following statement about NYSUT ELT's Science of Reading program:

Every child in New York deserves access to high-quality literacy instruction — and every educator deserves the tools to deliver it. NYSUT will continue to strengthen its Science of Reading course, working with leading literacy experts and refining it as needed to ensure students get the strong foundation they deserve.

Apprenticeships offer students new career paths

Molly Belmont — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 16:16:00 -0400

Drew Hastings is a proud, fourth-generation ironworker with Local 12. This week, he was at Empire State Plaza talking up the career with area high schoolers, as part of the annual Apprenticeship Works showcase.

Presented by the New York State Building and Construction Trades Council, the showcase included interactive demonstrations from all 15 of the construction trades, presented by unions from across New York.

“I’m 35, and I’ll be honest with you, I love my job,” Hastings told a group of students from Shenendehowa High School. “We’re all a family and we take care of each other, on and off the job.”

Hastings handed around a deactivated rivet buster, which is essentially a jackhammer built to shear through steel rivets on bridges and beams, often hundreds of feet above the ground. “You hold that trigger and hang on for dear life,” he told the students.

“And you’ll actually teach us how to do this stuff?” senior Ethan Rumsey asked excitedly.

“All you need is a good attitude, reliable transportation, and we’ll teach you the rest,” Hastings assured him.

That’s the promise of being in a unionized apprenticeship program, which provides paid on-the-job training in the construction and building trades. Supervised by the New York State Department of Labor, apprenticeship programs are offered through individual unions at no cost to the students.

“Students earn while they learn,” said Davon Lomax, political director for District Council 9, the Finishing Trades Institute of New York. The institute is the education department for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, and during the event, students tried their hand at painting, taping, and other tasks associated with the trade.

Apprentices receive healthcare benefits, pensions, and annual annuities — all rare in today’s economy — and enjoy the security of a career that can’t be replaced by AI, Lomax said. “They learn a trade that no one can take away from them, and they retire with dignity,” he said.

During the event, students from six different districts toured the union booths. “Schools are pushing trades more than they have in the past, which is good because they’re solid union jobs,” said Jason Brisko, apprenticeship coordinator for the Carpenters Local 291. Skilled carpenters can take home as much as $83,000 a year, putting them solidly in the middle class. “It’s not a job where you’re going to sit around playing on your phone all day. That’s not going to fly,” Brisko said. “But if you want to work, it’s a great career path.”

Albany Public School Teachers Association member Nicole Lindeman, a Career and Technical Education teacher at Myers Middle School, brought her students to the event to introduce them to the range of jobs that are available to them right out of high school.

“CTE is about jobs, and getting kids thinking about their future,” Lindeman said. Apprenticeships are a great route for many students because they offer them a chance to move and grow while getting paid. “Kids need more choices,” Lindeman said. “This could give them a path.”

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NYS elected leaders and employers sound the alarm: Fix Tier 6 in the budget now

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 14:53:00 -0400

With New York state’s April 1 budget deadline just days away, pressure is intensifying across the state as an unprecedented coalition of legislators, local government leaders, educators, nurses, firefighters, and public-sector employers warn Albany: failure to act on Tier 6 is already driving a workforce crisis, and it’s getting worse.

Legislators from both sides of the aisle and every region of the state are demanding change. Gov. Kathy Hochul, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, state Attorney General Tish James and more have expressed support for action this budget cycle.

Local elected officials, mayors, county executives and other municipal employers — the very people on the front lines of recruiting and retaining the public workforce — are seeing the consequences firsthand. They know the cost of inaction: fewer workers, fewer services, and communities left without the teachers, nurses, and first responders they need.

See the full list of elected leaders and employer supporters.

This growing alarm follows a landmark 15,000-person rally at MVP Arena in Albany, one of the largest labor mobilizations in recent memory, underscoring the scale and urgency of fixing Tier 6.

A crisis that cannot wait

Created in 2012, Tier 6 covers approximately 780,000 public employees in New York. It was designed by former governor Andrew Cuomo in response to an artificial and manufactured fiscal crisis, and passed in the middle of the night. It created a two-tiered system where newer workers pay more, work longer, and receive significantly less in retirement than the generations who came before them.

The consequences of an unfair pension system have been swift. Increasingly, talented young people look at a career in public service and walk away. School districts across the state cannot fill teaching positions. Hospitals struggle to staff critical roles. Local governments compete for a shrinking pool of workers. First responder ranks are thinning.

New York State has one of the most well-funded pension systems in the country, and can do better for its public workforce.

“Let’s be clear: Tier 6 is not just flawed policy, it’s actively breaking New York’s public workforce,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person. “Schools can’t hire, hospitals are short-staffed, and communities are paying the price. Lawmakers know the problem. Employers are sounding the alarm. Legislators must reject a budget proposal that does not include a significant fix to Tier 6.”

UUP launches campaign for targeted funding to stabilize SUNY campuses

Ben Amey — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 16:03:00 -0400

The SUNY system is a crown jewel of New York state. But unfortunately, it has been left without support for too long. Now the state is playing catchup, and a couple years of increased funding cannot make up for decades of neglect.

NYSUT is asking the state legislature for a $141.8 million increase in operating aid to SUNY campuses above the number proposed by the governor in her executive budget. United University Professions, one of the many unions within NYSUT which represents SUNY professors, is also calling for $41.8 million in direct, targeted aids to specific SUNY campuses: Buffalo State, Fredonia, Potsdam and SUNY ESF. UUP is also calling for the restoration of funding for the Educational Opportunity Program, along with an additional $20 million to expand the program.

UUP has begun running ads in Albany, Buffalo, Fredonia, Potsdam and Syracuse asking lawmakers to provide this funding to continue supporting SUNY as an economic engine and lifeline for students and families across the state. Specifically at SUNY ESF, NYSUT and UUP have called on SUNY and the state to increase state support for a one-of-a-kind institution, especially at a time when the federal government is cutting research grants in the face of climate change.

You can watch UUP’s ads below:

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Civics and Media Literacy: NYSUT asks for support to build democracy-ready citizens

Molly Belmont — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:44:00 -0400

Every day in his classroom at Lincoln Orens Middle School, seventh grade social studies teacher Dean Bacigalupo introduces students to the revolutionary ideas born out of America’s Declaration of Independence.

“It’s worth remembering that the American Revolution did more than sever political ties with Britain, it transformed who we are as a people,” said Bacigalupo. “Colonists stopped being subjects and became citizens.”

The shift from subject to citizen isn’t just the foundation of civics education; it’s the cornerstone of our democracy. As we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary, NYSUT is calling on the state to reinvest in this crucial framework.

“Civics is not just another subject,” said Bacigalupo, president of the Island Park Faculty Association and chairperson of NYSUT’s Social Studies Subject Area Committee. “It is the living thread that connects our nation’s founding to our present and future.”

“Every student who walks across a graduation stage doesn’t just leave as a graduate; they leave as a citizen,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person. “At a time when misinformation spreads faster than facts, investing in civics and media literacy is an investment in our future.”

NYSUT is asking the state Legislature to commit $2.5 million to expand civics education at the elementary level, $5 million to increase access to the Seal of Civic Readiness, and $15 million to enhance media and AI literacy so students have the skills they need to analyze information and judge for themselves what to trust, share, and base decisions on.

“These resources will help students understand how government works, their rights and responsibilities, and how to evaluate information so they can participate fully and thoughtfully in civic life,” Person said.

NYSUT is also calling for a full-time library media specialist at every school to help students build sound, basic research skills and help teachers incorporate media literacy skills into their classrooms.

“Media literacy has to be embedded into as many curricula as possible. To do that, you need a school librarian in every school,” said United Federation of Teachers member Roy Rosewood, a high school library media specialist and member of NYSUT’s Library Media Specialists Subject Area Committee. “When we talk about preparing learners for the 21st century, we’re tying both arms behind our back if we don’t have trained specialists in the schools to help do this work.”

Preparing students for the 21st century means making students democracy-ready, educators say.

“The Founders believed in the necessity of a virtuous, educated citizenry,” said Pierson Bell, social studies teacher at Medina High School and member of the Medina Teachers Association and NYSUT’s Social Studies Subject Area Committee. “Otherwise, the republican experiment would never succeed.”

“Understanding how government works and understanding political debate is crucial to being able to function as an American,” Bell added.

And yet, too often, civics education takes a backseat to other priorities.

High-stakes testing monopolizes classroom time beginning in elementary school, forcing teachers to spend much of their time on math and ELA, and not give equal time to other subjects.

Following the implementation of No Child Left Behind, school districts reported a 32 percent decrease in the amount of time devoted to social studies and civics. According to a 2023 report by RAND, only three hours a week is spent on social studies and science instruction, whereas nine hours is dedicated to math, and six to ELA.

As a result of these kinds of shifts, only 22 percent of eighth graders scored proficient in civics in national assessments and, in New York, many students graduate without ever getting a full year of civics instruction.

“The biggest obstacle is time,” said Mandel Holland, a high school social studies teacher at Woodlands Middle High School and member of the Greenburgh Teachers Federation. “We barely have enough time to cover everything in our curriculum, let alone other topics like civics and media literacy.”

Holland, who serves on NYSUT’s Social Studies Subject Area Committee, teaches AP and IB history, but he weaves in media literacy and civics regularly. At the top of each U.S. History class, he hosts a discussion aptly named “New and Exciting” where students can bring up the day’s national and local headlines. Alongside daily lessons about industrialization, urbanization, and immigration, Holland presents interactive activities that encourage students to see that their voices matter.

“I’m fond of telling my students that closed mouths don’t get fed. If you don’t speak up, no one’s going to know what you need,” Holland said.

Of course, today’s news is tomorrow’s history, and both Holland and Bell encourage their students to understand the past by making connections with the present.

For instance, this fall’s lesson on the Alien and Sedition Acts, which Bell acknowledges is generally a topic that does not generate significant student interest, was suddenly invested with new meaning.

“I started class with a video about how the current administration was invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to justify its immigration actions, and we spent the next 40 minutes discussing the current state of immigration policy,” he said. Students on both ends of the political spectrum debated the issue and came to a consensus. “That was awesome,” Bell said.

“I walked away feeling inspired by how students who support the Trump administration’s actions and students on the opposite side found common ground.”

Bell said the key to productive student discussions is for teachers to ask good questions and stay apolitical. “My approach is to just say to them, ‘My goal is not for you to be able to guess who I vote for, but to show you both sides of this issue, so you can make your own decision about it.’”

In fact, when done right, civics education empowers students to bring their own perspectives to civic life and find mutual understanding.

“Kids sort of go through life thinking that these things are adult issues, but the reality is that their lives are, in large part, impacted by the decisions made by government officials, both nationally and even more so locally,” said Nick Norman, field liaison, UFT Teacher Center and member of NYSUT’s Social Studies Subject Area Committee. “Civics is about making the local park safe for all the children in the community as much as it is about the Supreme Court.”

Traditionally, civics has been taught like a citizenship exam and zeroed in on basics like the branches of government and the electoral process, but in 2018, the Board of Regents established the Civic Readiness Task Force and charged members with redefining civic readiness for the emerging Portrait of a Graduate. Norman, who served on the task force, said they concluded that civics education shouldn’t be confined to a half-credit course taught during the senior year but had to be embedded across the curricula and taught K-12.

When it comes to coaching teachers at the UFT Teacher Center about how to bring civics into their classrooms, Norman urges them to make it local and, whenever possible, personal. Most importantly, he said, start early.

“Kids need to cumulatively have those civic experiences and build their knowledge and skills and mindset all the way up,” Norman said.

New York City’s Civics for All curriculum, which includes the soapbox challenge and participatory school budgeting, spurs younger students to present ideas that matter to them, encourages dialogue, and builds associations between them, Norman said.

The Seal of Civic Readiness is a valuable opportunity for high school students. Piloted in 2021, the seal is now available in 500 high schools across the state, but NYSUT hopes to bring the seal to more districts.

To earn the seal, students must complete all the requirements for a local or Regents diploma and earn six points, including two in Civic Knowledge and two in Civic Participation. Students can also score points by finishing a capstone project.

“The Seal of Civic Readiness is more than a formal distinction on high school diplomas and transcripts,” said Bacigalupo. “It calls on us to make learning itself a powerful act of civic engagement.”

In February, NYSUT launched the Classroom to Community Civic Readiness grant program, designed to help fund K-12 civics learning experiences, including field trips, projects, and special events.

“The grant program will provide an opportunity to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world participation,” said Second Vice President Ron Gross, whose office will supervise the program.

“This grant offers a chance for schools and educators to deepen civic learning in meaningful, lasting ways,” said Bacigalupo. “For teachers, this grant means real resources and sustainable, project-based civic learning, and for students, it helps to expand learning to include experiences to engage as thoughtful, capable citizens outside of their school community.”

At Albany High School, students pursue their Seal of Civic Readiness by taking Civics and Public Engagement and completing capstone projects grounded in issues that mean something to them. Past topics include gun safety, redlining, mental health, school violence, and incarceration. Students are then invited to showcase their projects for their peers and educators.

“We’ve shown them what their powers are as citizens and how to use their voices to create change,” said history teacher Amanda Weklar, a member of the Albany Public School TA. “We want them to know that when they go out into the world, if they need to make change on something, this is how they go about doing it.”

BOCES professionals find targeted resources at NYSUT conference

Molly Belmont — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 12:59:00 -0400

Relevant professional development opportunities are hard for BOCES leaders to find; that’s what makes NYSUT’s BOCES Conference so valuable.

The annual conference took place Feb. 27-28 at NYSUT headquarters and hosted 63 BOCES educators from across the state.

“BOCES serve a unique population of students and therefore our BOCES members face unique issues. It is important that NYSUT provide opportunities for our BOCES members to engage on issues that are specific to their own personal professional experience,” said NYSUT Executive Vice President Jaime Ciffone.

As opposed to a traditional school district, BOCES is considered a "service provider,” explained Donna Walters, president of the Erie 1 Professional Education Association, chair of the BOCES Leadership Council and NYSUT Board member. Their special education and alternative education programs are constantly changing to effectively meet the needs and requests of their component school districts; while their CTE programs regularly evolve to stay current with the job market. Additionally, traditional school districts receive funding from a tax base, while the 37 BOCES across the state are fee-for-service-providers, which presents challenges that school districts don't have to face, she said.

“The networking opportunities are incredible at the NYSUT BOCES Leadership Conference. I hope that all attendees found an educator in their same field and made a connection that will lead to a comradery and collaboration beyond the scope of the conference,” Walters said.

Elizabeth Laundrie, president of the Champlain Valley Educational Services United Professionals said it was refreshing to attend a conference specifically for BOCES educators. “I was really excited to be here with other BOCES professionals and learn from them,” said Laundrie. “We often get lumped in with other people who don’t understand our issues.”

NYSUT solicited feedback from members to help design the sessions, and the conference agenda was packed with workshops on topics members asked for, including APPR, building power, contracts, budgeting and workplace safety.

“BOCES have a lot of constituent groups, which is great, but it’s also a challenge when it comes to contract language and getting people involved,” said Asha Mazza-Shaw, president of the BOCES Educators of Eastern Suffolk. “Finding things that fit everyone can be a struggle.”

United Staff Association of Putnam and Northern Westchester BOCES membership chair Sarah Carnevale agreed. “BOCES are really unique,” said Carnevale. “Our negotiating tactics are so different because we have such variety among members.”

Members said they were looking forward to networking with other professionals to talk shop and share best practices.

“I want to get a better idea of how our budget works,” said Susan Chenoweth, also from the Putnam and Northern Westchester BOCES local. Unlike school districts, where revenue comes from state aid and taxes, BOCES funding comes in part from per-student tuition that is paid by component districts. “I’m tired of hearing from administration, ‘We don’t have any money.’ They spend a lot of money to send students to us, so I want to know, where’s all that money go?” asked Chenoweth.

“NYSUT recognizes that our BOCES leaders work in unique and complex settings,” said NYSUT Second Vice President Ron Gross, whose office coordinates the annual conference. “The BOCES Conference offers targeted education and resources for these members so they can continue to meet the diverse needs of their students and their communities.”

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NYSUT brings together 15,000 unionists for historic Fix Tier 6 rally

Molly Belmont — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 09:10:00 -0400

Thousands of educators, firefighters, nurses, law enforcement, and public workers from across the state gathered at MVP Arena Sunday for the sold-out Statewide Fix Tier 6 Rally, raising their voices in unison to demand a just, equitable retirement.

The event brought together 15,000 members from NYSUT, NYS AFL-CIO, Civil Service Employees Association, Public Employees Federation, New York State Nurses Association and the New York State Professional Fire Fighters Association, and others who called on state lawmakers to lower retirement ages and reduce penalties, so that educators and other civil servants can retire with the dignity they deserve.

[ VIEW THE FULL RALLY PROGRAM ]

“Every single person in this crowd chose public service. You chose the classroom. You chose the school bus. You chose the counseling office. You chose to show up for New Yorkers every single day,” NYSUT President Melinda Person told the packed arena. “And you did it knowing that the road was long. New York must value your service the same way it always has, because teachers don’t get stock options. Nurses don’t get hedge fund bonuses and firefighters don’t get corporate buy-outs.”

Currently 780,000 public workers are enrolled in Tier 6, which requires employees to work longer, contribute more, and receive fewer benefits than workers in earlier pension tiers.

NYSUT members said the rally was awe-inspiring, and they were happy to stand next to brothers and sisters from unions all over the state.

When Amy Jencik, a member of the Teachers Association of the Tarrytowns, got the news that she could attend the statewide rally, she felt like she won the lottery. “When I signed up, I was waitlisted, so I knew it was going to be a good turnout, and that made me want to come even more,” Jencik said. “I really wanted to show up for Tier 6.”

Alexandra Sepulveda, a member of UFT, said she also felt lucky to be there. “I felt like we were just all together, even the nurses, the firefighters, everybody coming together. It was really beautiful and inspiring.”

Sepulveda, who is a member of Tier 6, said she also appreciated the support of Tier 4 members and retirees. “I know that Tier 4 also had issues and tiers 1, 2, and 3 stood up to help Tier 4 get better, so I'm really grateful that there are Tier 4 members out today to help us fix our tier so we can also retire and feel confident in that,” Sepulveda said.

“Tier 6 is going to make it so people don't want to do public service anymore,” said Lisa McDonnell, a member of Middle Country TA. McDonnell said solidarity is essential to getting pension reform. “I know when I started, Tier 4 looked very different, and people worked for me to have a better Tier 4, and I want to do the same thing for Tier 6,” she said.

Mother and daughter, Tinamarie Mantisi, Gates-Chili TA and Marissa Mantisi, Monroe 2 Orleans BOCES United Professionals, traveled from Rochester to show their support for the cause.

Marissa Mantisi, has already been working for seven years, but, she said, thanks to Tier 6, she will need to work for another 32 years before she can retire. “It’s daunting,” she said. “It’s very daunting.”

“For me to have to think about her working that hard, for that long, it’s worrying,” said Tinamarie Mantisi, a Tier 4 member. “I hope we can fix it to what it needs to be.”

The rally was emceed by Gaspare Randazzo, a history teacher at Susan Wagner High School and UFT member who travels the world with his stand-up routine about teaching, and included performances from SAG-AFTRA Vice President Lisa Ann Walter, star of Abbott Elementary, who brought the house down with her comedy routine.

Members also cheered on speeches by AFT President Randi Weingarten; Mario Cilento, president of the state AFL-CIO; Sam Fresina, president of the New York Professional Fire Fighters Association and Wayne Spence, president of the New York State Public Employees Federation.

Cilento said the state needs to fix its broken promise. “Decades ago, there was a promise made by this state. The promise was that if you dedicated your life to public service, then when you retire, you would be able to live your retirement, have a retirement of dignity, of self-respect, and financial independence. Fourteen years ago, this state broke that promise,” Cilento said.

“Folks, we have more power than they realize, and they don’t want us to know,” said Spence. “So don’t give up the fight!”

During the program, Melody Castiglia and Mike McGowan, members of the New Rochelle Federation of United School Employees, shared their experiences as members of Tier 5 and 6. “When those of us in Tier 5 and 6 are asked to contribute more, work longer, and receive less, it is a message that we are worth less. It weakens morale. It hurts recruitment and retention,” said Castiglia. “And when one tier is weakened the whole union is weakened.”

Governor Kathy Hochul took the stage at the rally’s end to thank educators and public servants for their tireless work and dedication.

“I want to acknowledge the hardworking men and women who are the unsung heroes of our state. Whether you're molding young minds or responding to emergencies, or filling potholes, the work you do makes an enormous difference for our communities, and it keeps New York moving forward.”

Hochul noted that hard work deserves just compensation and that without it, recruitment and retention will continue to be an issue. The governor also noted the victories that have already been won on this issue, with NYSUT’s advocacy, including reducing the final average salary calculation from five to three years and shortening the vesting period from ten years to five.

Hochul concluded her remarks by promising to roll up her sleeves this budget season and honor the sacrifices our public workers make: “I’m going to keep fighting to make sure you get what you deserve.”

“It was really great to see so many people here,” UFT member Sarah D’Amico said after the rally. “They showed us that this has changed before, and we're going to change it again. We just have to keep going.”

Thank you to our primary sponsors. You helped make this all possible.

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New NYSUT film confronts childhood poverty in New York

Molly Belmont — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:06:00 -0500

A student in Ilion missed school for a week. When he finally returned to class, he explained that he hadn’t had access to a washing machine, and he couldn’t come to school in dirty clothes.

Another student — a 9-year-old in Rochester — missed school because he felt the need to stay home to protect his mother in a house with no locks.

These are just two of the stories captured in 1 in 5, a new long-form NYSUT film about the devastating impact of childhood poverty in New York State.

New York State is one of the wealthiest regions in the world — a global leader in industry, finance and innovation. Yet, one in five children in this state lives in poverty; meaning that more than 760,000 students aren’t getting their basic needs met.   

The number of families living in poverty in New York has grown 10% since 2010. The number struggling to make ends meet has grown even faster, at 21%.

Every day, educators see first-hand how unmet basic needs keep their students from thriving, and NYSUT’s timely film — which took a year to complete and includes the voices of educators, parents, and advocates — explores the stark reality these students face in rural, suburban and urban communities.

In the film, Zachary Arenz, music teacher and member of Rochester Teachers Association, talks about how what happens to students at home bleeds into their academic life, and keeps them from reaching their full potential.

“I’m honored to have had even a small part in this project,” Arenz said of the film. “1 in 5 reflects what educators are seeing every day: that students’ academic success is often tied to their lived experiences, and that meaningful change will require partnership between schools, families and policymakers.”

The film also captures the perspectives of teachers at Syracuse STEM at Blodgett Middle School where 95 percent of students live below the poverty line; Syracuse has the worst childhood poverty rate in the U.S. among larger cities.

“I feel like subconsciously our kids deal with, ‘I’m not meant to be here. I’m not loved. No one really cares about me,’” said Leeza Roper, ELA teacher and member of Syracuse Teachers Association.

The film also shows to what lengths dedicated educators are going every day to help address poverty’s effects on their students, including clothing closets, coat drives, food distribution programs, back-pack programs, and more. Finally, the film introduces some of the most promising policies for addressing this issue, including community schools, which have proven to be remarkably successful when it comes to improving student outcomes.

“One of the most effective tools we have is the community schools model. Community schools serve as vital hubs, providing wraparound services that support family health, community safety and children's needs,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person.

From dental and eye exams and community food pantries to free childcare and housing assistance, these schools provide services tailored to their community's specific needs, and they are led by a community schools director or coordinator, who connects families directly with services, Person said.

Currently, there is no dedicated source of state funding for community schools, but NYSUT is asking the state legislature to provide $100 million in categorical aid to expand community schools, $4 million to sustain UFT’s network of community schools; and  $5 million for the United Federation of Teachers’ United Community Schools to provide statewide technical assistance and support. 

NYSUT is also asking for legislators to support the executive budget proposal to continue New York’s Universal School Meals program, which provides free breakfast and lunch to all students.

NYSUT is also pushing for other policy measures to close New York’s growing wealth inequality, including increasing income tax on the ultra-wealthy and increasing corporate taxes by 1.9 percent, on par with neighboring states.

The film was shown to legislators at an exclusive screening at the Legislative Office Building in February and received positive feedback. In the coming months, NYSUT will be releasing this film across the state as part of its “1 in 5” campaign.

"Poverty is not inevitable. We can do something about this. We can get change made, and we’re going to do it,” said Person.

1 in 5 is available for viewing at 1in5ny.org, where there are also other resources about child poverty and potential policy solutions.

Advocates and Allies: Celebrating School Social Workers

Catherine Rizos — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:00:00 -0500

Wendy Castiglia, a school social worker and member of the Hamburg Teachers Association, considers herself “one of the lucky people” who knew from a very young age what she wanted to do with her life. She felt called to help others, especially children, though it wasn’t until a college externship that allowed her to shadow working professionals that she learned that her calling had a name: school social work.

“I’ve always believed very firmly in giving children as much support towards a successful life as possible. That’s what drew me to social work,” said Castiglia. “If we can’t help them from the time that they’re children, what will happen to them as adults?”

After earning a master’s degree in social work, Castiglia, who grew up outside Buffalo and calls herself a “Western New York lifer,” immediately began working at a local school and has never looked back. After 23 years as a school social worker at an area middle school, she moved into working with elementary students and has been at Armor Elementary School in Hamburg for nearly a decade.

Regardless of the age of the students she is working with, Castiglia is dedicated to being a caring, kind presence in their lives.

“It’s about building a rapport,” she notes. “I meet people where they are, show respect for what they’re going through, and I’m an ally to them and an advocate for them.”

School social work is a profession that doesn’t always come with a set schedule or a typical day.

Caption: Wendy Castiglia, school social worker at Armor Elementary School in Hamburg and president of the New York State School Social Workers’ Association. Photo Credit: Provided.

Castiglia often works with students one on one, and leads group sessions in classrooms, where she uses techniques like restorative circles and other exercises to help students learn about feelings and teach them coping strategies. At other times, she conducts trainings on youth mental health topics for other school employees, or she may be called upon to deal with emergent issues that directly impact student health and safety.

“I always joke that my students learn flexibility and patience with me, because they all know that at any given moment, I could be called into a situation that needs attention immediately,” said Castiglia.

Outside her daily responsibilities at Armor Elementary, Castiglia is also president of the New York State School Social Workers’ Association. She has long been an advocate for her profession — she is a founding member of the decades-old School Social Work Association of America — and works to ensure that more people, from parents to community members to leaders at the State Education Department and in the Legislature understand what school social workers do and why they are essential to a well-functioning school.

“I really feel that it’s important that an organization like ours has a voice in the state and is constantly reminding state leaders that we’re needed, and we’re important, and we play a vital role,” said Castiglia. “That is my motivation — to support and strengthen our profession within the state and to promote it where we don’t exist.”

This year, SSWAA’s celebration of National School Social Work Week, which takes place March 1-7 under the theme “Unite to Ignite,” focuses on the impact of school social workers, and their daily work on behalf of students, families and all members of the school community.

School social workers are key members of the Collective Care Team, working together with school nurses, school counselors, and school psychologists to foster academic and personal growth for students. School social workers are trained and licensed mental health practitioners who help students navigate issues large and small that they may face at home and at school. In addition to directly supporting students’ emotional health and educational success, school social workers connect families to available community resources and collaborate with classroom teachers and other colleagues to create a safe and welcoming school community for all.

Despite being the only school social worker at her school, Castiglia emphasizes that her job is all about teamwork. Schools are filled with inherently caring professionals in a variety of roles, she said. It’s only through partnership — with administrators, teachers, and others in the school building, each using their own specialized training and expertise — that the full picture comes together and the school succeeds.

As Castiglia reflects on her decades of work as a school social worker, she acknowledges that the work comes with challenges and heartbreak, but also great successes. She says there are still times when she doubts her ability to make change in her students’ lives, when many of them face difficulties at home or are dealing with disabilities or have other issues at play that she can’t address.

In moments like those, she reminds herself of the research that shows that one of the biggest predictors of a child’s resilience is having a positive relationship with an adult.

“It doesn’t have to be anybody fancy. Ideally, it’s the child’s parents, but for many kids it isn’t. It’s the bus driver who says hello to them every morning; it’s the lunch lady who opens their milk every day and says hi to them, it’s their teacher,” Castiglia said.

With that in mind, she focuses on what she can do, and that’s being a caring force in their lives, no matter what.

“I remind myself maybe that can be me, for somebody. If I can provide a welcoming place where they can feel safe and accepted and know that they can always come, then maybe I will be that person for them.”

Castiglia continued, “I think that’s really important for everyone working in education to know. You may still be impacting their lives in ways that someday you’ll get to know, or maybe you’ll never get to know. But that’s an invaluable impact.”

March is Women's History Month
Free poster celebrates Jane Goodall’s legacy

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 16:35:00 -0500

NYSUT celebrates Women’s History Month with a new poster honoring Jane Goodall. A world-renowned primatologist and anthropologist whose groundbreaking research transformed our understanding of the natural world, Goodall traveled to Tanzania in 1960 to study chimpanzees in what is now Gombe Stream National Park. She was the first to observe chimpanzees making and using tools; a behavior previously thought to be uniquely human.

At a time when women were largely excluded from fieldwork and scientific leadership, Goodall broke barriers and paved the way for generations of women in science. In 1977, she founded the Jane Goodall Institute, which supports conservation and development programs across Africa. Central to the Institute's mission is its work to empower young women by providing access to education, family planning, high-quality healthcare and clean water. She also established Roots & Shoots, a youth-led program active in more than 60 countries that empowers young people to become environmental and humanitarian leaders.

A United Nations Messenger of Peace, Goodall received numerous honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and damehood from the British Crown. She continued to advocate tirelessly until her passing on Oct. 1, 2025, at age 91, inspiring generations — especially young women — to challenge convention and protect the planet.

Downloadable pdf versions and printed copies, in limited quantities, are available to NYSUT members. Visit nysut.org/publications.

UUP marks start of contract negotiations with state

Catherine Rizos — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 15:22:00 -0500

In early February, United University Professions gathered to mark the start of contract negotiations with New York state. The hybrid kick-off event, hosted in at UUP headquarters in Albany by UUP President Fred Kowal and the union’s negotiations team, was well attended in person and online — with 800 members joining virtually — and demonstrated the strength of UUP membership as well as the high level of interest in and optimism for this round of negotiations.

UUP leaders noted that the February start to negotiations was the earliest in recent memory and emphasized the importance of reaching an agreement before the current four-year contract expires in July.

“We’re starting early because we want to get a deal on time,” said Alissa Karl, statewide vice president for academics at UUP and an associate professor of English at SUNY Brockport.

Karl, who is on UUP’s negotiations team, stressed the importance of negotiating a strong contract for the union’s membership, who work at campuses across the state, as well as academic medical centers in Brooklyn, Long Island and Syracuse.

“We’ve got a really diverse bargaining unit — 41,000 people, all kinds of titles, all kinds of situations — so we need to have an agreement that speaks to everyone.”

Key issues for members include fair compensation; job security; maintaining accessible and affordable health care, concerns related to artificial intelligence, and protections from federal overreach.

Kowal, in his remarks to members, described the negotiations team as “prepared as never before” and highly motivated. “We want to work hard and get the best possible contract done before our current contract expires.”

Perry educators deliver maternity leave in new contract

Emily Allen — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:21:00 -0500

Kathryn Luczak had saved up as much sick time as she could over the past nine years, but two unpaid maternity leaves during that time had left the Perry Professional Educators Association member with only 11 days she could use when she found out she was unexpectedly pregnant again with baby number three. A two-time fertility patient with her older children, Luczak said this third pregnancy was a beautiful gift, but completely unplanned.

“I was freaking out,” she recalled. “I was going to have to take unpaid time to stay home for the normal 8 weeks after another C-section and we were going to be hurting as a family of five with three kids under five.”

Luczak, a universal pre-K teacher at Perry Central School for 13 years, said she immediately looked at her contract and, to her surprise, found new language establishing 40 days of paid maternity leave from the district that is not to be deducted from accumulated sick leave.

“I chased our president, Rod, down the hall and cried and hugged him,” Luczak said.

“She told me you absolutely saved me,” said PPEA President Rodney Allen.

Allen, a physical education teacher, said this was an issue that had been discussed for years. “There’s so much stress on a young family and most mothers burn up all their sick days, especially moms having second and third babies or who have C-sections – they just don’t have any days left.”

Luczak added that running out of sick time is a significant problem particularly for mothers who work in education and are primary caregivers at home. “With the job I have, I bring home sicknesses to my kids. Being a UPK teacher, I get sneezed on daily, so my kids don’t even have a chance.”

Fortunately, Allen said paid maternity leave was important to both sides during negotiations and was agreed to easily without any concessions. He gave credit to a supportive superintendent who Allen said respects the role of unions in the school system. In a Facebook post, Superintendent Daryl McLaughlin wrote, “When we take care of our people, that care is extended to our students and their educational experiences.”

With the help of their NYSUT labor relations specialist, PPEA was also able to win paid time for current members who have previously had children during their employment in the Perry CSD. Under the contract, they will be awarded 20 sick days per occurrence to be credited upon their retirement.

“That was really important to me,” Allen said. “I didn’t want them to feel forgotten.”

The contract does stipulate that after completing their leave, members must remain employed for three full school years or be required to pay the district back. But Allen said the benefit is already having a significant impact even in other nearby districts where NYSUT locals are working to get similar language. Allen said, “People are asking me about it all the time. We’re looking to see what we can get for paternity leave next.”

Now back at work after delivering her baby Shae Austin last October, Luczak said she’s grateful to have had the time at home to enjoy her newborn without worrying about a paycheck, and she hopes more districts around the state begin offering the same opportunity to parents.

“It’s about time. We take care of kids for a living and we love it, yet so many of us don’t get the time to take care of our own.”

For SRPs, by SRPs: Union members build peer mentoring programs

Molly Belmont — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:13:00 -0500

School-Related Professionals gathered from across the state this winter to share their plans for new peer-to-peer mentor pilot programs, plans they’ve been carefully crafting since they were accepted into the NYSUT SRP Peer Mentoring Program last October.

Strategies varied, but the goals were the same across the board: increase SRP’s professional confidence, boost morale, improve retention, and enhance student growth.

“Our SRPs provide essential services, and in order to serve their students effectively, they need appropriate training and support,” said Ron Gross, NYSUT’s second vice president, whose office leads SRP initiatives. “The NYSUT SRP Peer Mentoring Program walks leaders through the steps of creating a mentoring program for their local and builds a community of experienced professionals to help guide the next generation of educators.”

“We want our mentees to have a sense of satisfaction. We want to imbue them with confidence so they can be more engaging, and we want to start early, so they can get involved with everything that’s happening in the union,” said Karen McLean, NYSUT SRP Advisory Committee chair and treasurer of the Herricks Teachers Association.

Launched in 2024, the NYSUT SRP Mentor Program is designed to help SRP leadership teams develop peer-to-peer mentor programs in their school districts. SRPs agree that training and mentoring are critical to recruitment and retention strategies, but few districts have programs in place.

“We are putting people in classrooms with our most vulnerable populations and there’s no training and no support for them, and that leads to high turnover,” said Katy Smith, president of the Rush-Henrietta Employees Association, Paraprofessionals Chapter in Rochester. Smith was part of the previous cohort of SRPs. She returned this year to serve as a facilitator, reviewing her peers’ plans, discussing approaches, and answering questions.

Launched last year, the mentorship plan at Rush-Henrietta includes monthly and bi-monthly in-person trainings for mentees, paired with supportive group discussions and one-on-one meetings with mentors as needed. So far, the feedback has been positive. “The mentees liked it. They said they want more,” Smith said.

For facilitator Josh Frasier, president of the Kenmore-Tonawanda School EA, the SRP mentoring program he helped launch last year represented a solution to low staff morale. For his administration, however, the program was a long-awaited answer to employee retention.

“The average cost to replace an employee is $10,000,” Frasier said. “Administrators are always fearful about budget deficits, but mentor programs are an investment. They will save districts money in the long-term.”

Frasier’s mentor program covers all 45 titles in the unit and consists of regular check-ins with a mentor as well as larger group meetings.

Despite the proven benefits, no states currently require mentoring or induction support for SRPs; 31 states require these types of support for teachers.

The Fonda-Fultonville School-Related Professionals Mentoring Program was just approved by the local school board this past Thursday after being in the works for 18 months, said Sandra Cimmino, president of the Fonda-Fultonville United Employees Association. The program is initially being rolled out to teaching assistants and teacher aides because they are student-facing, but the program will incorporate other titles shortly, she said.

The program, which requires that all new hires meet one-on-one with their mentor 30 minutes a week to discuss issues they’re encountering and set goals, has been well-received by the district, said Cimmino.

Initially, Cimmino thought administration might use the program as a bargaining chip in negotiations. “But they didn’t,” she said. “They were actually surprised that we didn’t have a mentoring program already.” In fact, the district saw so much value in the program that they approved stipends for both the program coordinator and the mentors, she said.

Photo Credit: Leslie Fottrell

The in-person NYSUT training is structured to be a “for SRPs by SRPs” opportunity, with five SRP facilitators working directly with their appointed teams as well as presenting training components in the large group sessions. This model aligns with what the resulting mentoring programs should aim to be — for members by members.

From here, the locals are eligible to apply for NYSUT grant funding to launch their new mentor programs. Awards range from $5,000 to $10,000 and will help cover program costs. Applications for the next round of the NYSUT SRP Peer Mentoring Program will likely be in 2028.

Media literacy essential for democracy-ready students

Molly Belmont — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 13:24:00 -0500

Today’s students spend an average of 8.5 hours a day watching screens but freely admit that they don’t always have the skills needed to analyze what they’re seeing.

This troubling paradox — high levels of exposure, coupled with no protections — is leading many educators to call for an increased focus on media literacy skills in the classroom.

Their goal? To protect the next generation of Americans from the negative effects of media and equip students with the skills necessary to sustain our democracy.

This week marks National News Literacy Week, an event presented by the News Literacy Project that aims to highlight the importance of news and media literacy and give students the skills they need to judge for themselves what information to trust, share and base decisions on.

"In the age of social media, media literacy is inseparable from civics education. Today’s students are bombarded with information, algorithms, and misinformation from the moment they wake up,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person. “Our students must learn to verify sources, recognize bias and think critically about what they see online. These are essential skills for life and citizenship, now more than ever.”

A 2023 Pew survey found that 68 percent of high school students don't have confidence in their ability to evaluate the credibility of online information.

“We live in an information age, but we also live in a disinformation age,” said Mary Patroulis, library media specialist at Fayetteville-Manlius High School and member of the NYSUT Board of Directors. “Social media generates so much information, but a lot of it is not accurate. Even people in positions of authority are spreading misinformation, so having media literacy skills in particularly important.”

Caption: NYSUT President Melinda Person joined a panel alongside New York State Senator Shelley Mayer (left) and New York State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa (second from right) for a panel on media literacy and civics education at the New York State Bar Association. The panel was moderated by Spectrum News TV Anchor Susan Arbetter (right). Photo Credit: El-Wise Noisette.

According to a 2015 study by the Stanford History Education Group, now known as the Digital Inquiry Group, more than 80 percent of middle school students could not differentiate between a news story and an advertisement; more than 80 percent of high school students could not effectively distinguish between legitimate and dubious sources of information, and nearly 70 percent of undergraduate students could not effectively explain how the political agendas of different organizations might influence the content of their tweets.

Roy Rosewood, library media specialist at the High School for Construction Trades, Engineering and Architecture in Queens and a member of the United Federation of Teachers and NYSUT’s Library Media Specialists Subject Area Committee, says he sees it all the time.

“The fact that the majority of Americans, particularly young Americans, receive news via social media apps and platforms rather than through any traditional news sources, means that we have to adjust how we approach important questions of reliability and bias,” Rosewood said.

When information about vaccine skepticism, ICE raids, domestic terrorism, and even allegations about "people are eating dogs" are being shared widely, it’s tempting to take that content at face value, Rosewood said.

But he encourages his students to interrogate the information they get, even if it’s just a 15-30 second video clip, and prompts them to ask important questions: How can you tell this is a reliable source of information? Do you detect bias? How do you know it’s not misinformation or disinformation? Has this been created by a person or generative AI?

“News and media literacy is the ability to recognize the purpose for which information is being disseminated or used,” Rosewood said. “That's the practice we really want to encourage, especially as we work with students who start voting as soon as they graduate.”

Over the last decade, as the number of viral conspiracies has surged and an increasing number of nationally recognized newspapers have tanked, the number of New York schools with full-time librarians on staff has declined sharply, and less instructional time is being allotted for civics readiness and media literacy, too.

Caption: Gail Erhlich, member of UFT and DemocracyReady NY addresses media literacy panel at New York State Bar Association.

To reverse these trends and prepare the next generation of Americans to be informed participants in our democracy, NYSUT is advocating for increased focus on civics education and media literacy and calling for a certified full-time library media specialist at every school.

“Library media specialists play a unique and irreplaceable role in teaching our children how to love reading, think critically, and navigate a digital world increasingly filled with misinformation,” said Person.

Library media specialists are also the key to unlocking media literacy instruction in the classroom. Library media specialists engage with students directly to build sound, basic research skills and partner with teachers to ensure that media literacy and information skills are part of every subject from science to social studies.

“We are in a very unusual moment in that we have so many sources of information that are online that are not coming from seasoned journalists who've been trained to evaluate information, evaluate their sources, and try to bring truth to people,” said Patroulis. “People are not getting information from the same sources and debating it. They're going to the sources where they think they're going to hear what they want to hear,” she added.

Patroulis teaches students how to vet information and evaluate its reliability. At Fayetteville-Manlius School District, they have implemented a search engine product for students that only presents information that has curated and vetted, and news stories receive a credibility rating based on two independent agencies. “It helps students be more mindful about where they’re getting their information,” Patroulis said.

“One of the most critical lessons that we can teach our students right now is to question everything,” said Tara Thibault-Edmonds, a library media specialist at Rondout Valley High School and a member of the Rondout Valley Federation of Teachers and School Related Personnel and NYSUT’s Subject Area Committee for library media specialists. “And if they're not sure what they are looking at is real or true, then go somewhere else.”

To verify credibility, Thibault-Edmonds introduces her students to lateral reading, which is the practice of having a second tab open when they are reading content online, so they can look up names, sources and assertions as they encounter them in real time.

“Students have to always question what they're looking at because they just do not have the depth of knowledge to know if what they're looking at is really true,” she said.

Social studies teachers agree.

Caption: NYSUT library media specialists met with legislators to discuss the important role they play at the Open Books, Open Minds event last year.

“Today’s students live in an overwhelmingly complex media environment shaped by digital platforms, algorithmic filtering, and near-constant streams of information,” said social studies teacher Dean Bacigalupo, president of the Island Park Faculty Association and chairperson of NYSUT’s Social Studies Subject Area Committee. “The National Council for the Social Studies makes clear that preparing young people for democratic life requires building the skills to navigate and evaluate the media messages that shape public discourse.”

“In the current media landscape, students really struggle with understanding how to consume information and the news,” said Pierson Bell, social studies teacher at Medina High School and member of the Medina Teachers Association and NYSUT’s Social Studies Subject Area Committee. “We need the time and resources to be able to teach these skills in the classroom.”

“We need an informed citizenry,” said Patroulis. “We need to provide our students with the resources and skills that they'll need to be able to cut through the noise when they get out of our district.”

“Media literacy has to be embedded into as many curricula as possible. To do that, you need a school librarian in every school,” said Rosewood. “Every one of us has a Master of Library and Information Science. We are trained to teach information, including the acquisition of data, analysis, assessment — the works.”

“When we talk about preparing learners for the 21st century, we’re tying both arms behind our back if we don’t have trained specialists in the schools to help do this work.”

For more information about National News Literacy Week, visit the News Literacy Project: https://newslit.org/.

For more information on preparing students for civic readiness, visit DemocracyReady NY: https://www.democracyreadyny.org/.

NYSUT, DemocracyReady NY call on Legislature to invest in civic readiness

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 16:06:00 -0500

Albany, N.Y. — Members of the DemocracyReady NY Coalition — including educators, parents, students, youth advocates, and civic leaders — met with state lawmakers today to press for meaningful investments in civic education as part of the FY 2027 state budget.

As New York approaches the nation’s 250th anniversary, and in recognition of the seventh annual National News Literacy Week presented by the News Literacy Project, coalition members warned that civic learning has been increasingly sidelined. Without decisive action, too many students will continue to graduate unprepared to participate fully in civic life.

“Every student who walks across a graduation stage doesn’t just leave as a graduate; they leave as a citizen,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person. “At a time when misinformation spreads faster than facts, investing in civics and media literacy is an investment in our future. These resources will help students understand how government works, their rights and responsibilities, and how to evaluate information so they can participate fully and thoughtfully in civic life.”

NYSUT is also launching its Classroom to Community Civic Readiness Grants, an initiative designed to help local unions bring civic learning to life. The grant will support hands-on, meaningful civic learning experiences that expand or establish Seal of Civic Readiness programs by embedding engagement, critical thinking, media literacy, and community collaboration with local school-based projects.

“Every student in New York has the right to an education that prepares them to participate fully in our democracy,” said Nan Eileen Mead, Co-Executive Director of DemocracyReady NY. “As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States later this year, New York has a historic opportunity to strengthen civic learning from the earliest grades through graduation. Together, New York’s educators, students, and civic partners are advancing a shared call to action: strengthen policy, invest in professional learning, and modernize civic learning for a rapidly changing world.”

The coalition is calling for targeted, strategic investments that reflect both the urgency of this moment and the scale of the challenge:

$2.5 million to strengthen elementary civic learning, supporting pilot programs, professional development, and evidence-based instructional models, and enabling the State Education Department to better integrate civic competencies across the early grades.

“It is now more important than ever, for the future of our democracy, that we instill in our young people the understanding that their voices matter,” said State Senator Shelley Mayer. “That civic engagement is both a right and a responsibility. It is critical that New York State provides the education, resources, and support necessary so students can develop lifelong habits of participation. I am committed to fighting to ensure that the final New York State budget includes the funding our schools and students need to accomplish this.”

“My 27 years as an elementary classroom teacher can be distilled into a single mission: to facilitate the creation of engaged citizens, armed with the information, strategies, and skills needed to participate in their communities,” said Gail Sider, a retired 4th-grade teacher from Pelham Union Free School District. “Educators of younger children need, now more than ever, resources to support our teaching of civics.”

$5 million to expand access to, and professional learning around, the State Education Department’s Seal of Civic Readiness. Currently, only about 26,000 of New York’s 172,000 graduates earn the Seal each year — a gap that reflects access barriers, not student potential.

“Civic readiness and student and parent engagement have never been more important,” said Kyle Belokopitsky, NYS PTA Executive Director and parent of a high school student. “Students are navigating uncharted and complicated waters. Guiding them toward meaningful civic skills and engagement, enabling their self-thought, lifting their voices, and preparing them for a global economy are all critical for their success in career, college, and beyond.”

“A healthy democracy is fueled by young people who understand how power works and how to use their voices,” said Charles Johnson, NYS NAACP. “Civic readiness and media literacy give students the tools to engage critically, responsibly, and effectively. New York must invest now to ensure the next generation is ready to actively shape their future.”

“The New York State Council for the Social Studies urges state leaders to move from rhetoric to reality by providing the necessary funding to implement high-quality civic education for every student in the state,” said Lisa Kissinger, President of the NYS Council for the Social Studies. “By investing in DemocracyReady NY’s foundational elements – the Civic Readiness Diploma Seal, professional development, digital literacy, and elementary civics instruction – New York State empowers students from elementary school through graduation.”

$15 million to advance media and AI literacy, including funding for certified library media specialists in every school, creation of a statewide Media & AI Literacy Task Force, support for pilot programs and professional learning, and the inclusion of Media and AI Literacy as a required instructional topic by NYSED. In an era of misinformation, algorithmic influence, and rapid technological change, media literacy is inseparable from civic readiness.

“New York State must ensure that all students receive media and AI literacy education to prepare them for informed and meaningful civic engagement in the digital age,” said Kelly Wetherbee, NYS Advocate for Media Literacy Now.

“Funding for media and AI literacy is especially urgent,” said Chris Kobara, a 12th grader from New York City. “Gen Z gets most of our information online; it is easy to confuse what is popular with what is actually true. Investing in media literacy and certified library media specialists isn’t extra: it is essential for protecting our democracy and helping students participate thoughtfully.”

These investments would strengthen civic learning statewide and ensure that all New York students — regardless of ZIP code — are prepared to participate thoughtfully and responsibly in civic life.

“The semiquincentennial is not only a moment of commemoration—it is a call to action,” said Jessica R. Wolff, Co-Executive Director of DemocracyReady NY. “By investing in civic learning from early childhood through graduation, New York can strengthen democracy, elevate student voices, and prepare the leaders of the next 250 years.”

DemocracyReady NY is a nonpartisan, multigenerational statewide coalition working to ensure that high-quality civic learning reaches all students and empowers the next generation to participate fully and responsibly in public life.

For more information, visit www.democracyreadyny.org.

View and download the full video of today’s event HERE.

View and download the information sheet for our civics readiness and media literacy proposals HERE.

Making connections for student success

Catherine Rizos — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 11:23:00 -0500

Michael Catalano, Ed.D., a school counselor and member of the Saugerties Teachers Association, describes his upbringing as an unconventional one, where school wasn’t easy and success didn’t always feel like it was within reach. “It was a bumpy road, to say the least,” said Catalano.

Now in his 27th year as a counselor at Saugerties Senior High School, Catalano finds himself on the other side of the equation, helping students work through issues and build their own paths to success.

“Sometimes kids struggle, and I remember how I was as a kid and some of the things I went through,” Catalano said. “I’m sure there were a lot of people who wondered ‘Will this guy ever figure it out?’ But there were key people who were there for me still, so it’s almost like giving back.”

For Catalano, who was recently selected as School Counselor of the Year by the New York State School Counselor Association, the desire to help others has been a driving force throughout his life.

“Whether I had a title or I was just a regular kid. I’ve always enjoyed helping people.”

Caption: Michael Catalano, New York State School Counselor of the Year.

In recent years, Catalano has found creative ways to combine that community-oriented spirit with his day-to-day work, forging a partnership with Ulster BOCES and Ulster County Habitat for Humanity to help build houses and allow students to get hands-on electrical and construction experience.

For Catalano, who is also a licensed master electrician, his own volunteer work with Habitat motivated him to set up the program. As he worked, he knew it would help his students expand their learning beyond the school’s walls and discover their own potential through direct experience. Said Catalano, “Within an hour or two I said to myself, ‘I’ve wired a lot of buildings. I think this would be great for the kids.’ And the rest is history.”

Working on-site allows students to incorporate a community element into learning their craft, and to take what they learn in class and apply it to a real job for a real family in need. In the last five years, Catalano and his students have helped build nine new homes for community members, with many more on the horizon.

“All the kids have different skill sets, and we try to work toward their strengths. Part of it is the world of work, to try to figure out — is this the career for me or not?” said Catalano. “College is one path, but it’s not the only path. The trades, the arts, and all forms of skilled work carry deep dignity and value.”

Mary Banaszak, current president of NYSSCA and a retired member of the Victor TA, described Catalano spearheading the partnership with BOCES and Habitat as the perfect emulation of the collaborative nature of school counseling.

Said Banaszak, “The work of school counselors is never done in isolation. It’s the partnerships we have with other professionals that make us effective.”

Banaszak and Catalano both highlighted how school counselors – because they work with and interact with all students in a school – get to build their own problem-solving and creative thinking skills, and no two workdays are alike.

Banaszak pointed out that the theme of this year’s celebration of National School Counseling Week, held the first week in February, is “amplifying student success.” She noted how well it aligns with the work to which Catalano has dedicated his career. It was Catalano’s vision for school counseling, how he integrates career and tech programming, and his dedication to bringing out his students’ strengths that resonated strongly with his NYSSCA peers, who nominated him to be School Counselor of the Year.

Ever the advocate, Catalano expressed how honored he was to be nominated by his fellow counselors, saying that one of the benefits of being selected as School Counselor of the Year is that it gives him a platform to be a voice for his students and his colleagues around New York. The issues Catalano is most interested in bringing attention to include ensuring reasonable caseloads for counselors, more consistent support for counselors serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade, and a more balanced and equitable approach to curriculum — one that values technology education and the trades alongside the liberal arts. 

In accepting the award, Catalano drew a clear connection between his two career passions. “My work as a school counselor and as an electrician are connected by something fundamental: purpose. Every wire, every circuit, every connection serves a function — just like every student we serve,” he said. “Our job is to help them find where they fit, where their energy flows best, where they can safely and confidently light up their own future.”

For Catalano, it always goes back to helping others. “I like to help kids get to where they think they’d like to go. I’m a realist, I know that kids change their minds a lot. I try to just do what I can to support the kids.”

Fighting cancer with friendship

Emily Allen — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 11:46:00 -0500

From The Golden Girls to Friends to Gilligan’s Island, iconic characters from classic film and television co-mingled at NYSUT’s Central New York Leadership Conference in Saratoga Springs last fall.

“We do a theme every year and this year, we are celebrating friendship,” explained Central Valley Teachers Association President Tara VanCauwenberge dressed as Louise Sawyer from Thelma & Louise.

More than 300 participants from over 70 NYSUT locals attended and took part in the conference’s longstanding tradition of raising money for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign. This year’s fundraising and theme, “Thank You for Being a Friend,” was orchestrated by VanCauwenberge, Oneida BOCES Teachers Association President Dede Giffune, and Chittenango Teachers Association President and NYSUT Board Member David Chizzonite.

“I don’t know anyone that has not been affected [by cancer], and this is just such a great event where we’re able to bring so many educators to represent the cause and do some excellent leadership collaboration,” VanCauwenberge said.

Chizzonite, dressed as Charlie Brown, added, “This is our union folks coming together from the Central New York area to make a difference for something that impacts every family, every local, every community and it’s an amazing accomplishment.”

The Central New York Region raised more than $30,000 at their conference in addition to funds from local Making Strides walks and other events.

Thanks to the hard work and generosity of NYSUT members from every corner of the state, NYSUT ranked first nationally for the third consecutive year in fundraising for the 2025 Making Strides campaign.

More than 540 local teams raised more than $835,200 – far surpassing major companies including Walmart and Chevrolet – proving the power of working together, and that no one has to fight cancer alone. On Long Island, teams raised over $166,000. In Buffalo, NYSUT members generated over $86,000. And in the Hudson Valley, our educators pulled in nearly $50,000.

“NYSUT members show what it truly means to be a union family by coming together to invest their time and resources in the fight to find a cure,” said J. Philippe Abraham, NYSUT secretary-treasurer, whose office coordinates the statewide union’s social justice initiatives. “Cancer touches every one of our lives in some way, and that’s why NYSUT remains deeply committed to standing with our members, their families and our communities in this fight.”

NYSUT has been a flagship sponsor for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events since 2002. For more information about how you can join Team NYSUT and raise funds for breast cancer research and prevention, visit https://nysut.cc/makingstrides.

NYSUT files lawsuit challenging SUNY charter approvals

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 17:41:00 -0500

Today, New York State United Teachers, alongside education and community partners, filed a lawsuit in Albany County Supreme Court to hold the State University of New York Charter School Institute accountable for its decision to authorize new charter schools in Brentwood and Central Islip, despite rejection by the State Education Department and clear opposition from local communities.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit include NYSUT and Melinda Person, as NYSUT’s president, along with concerned educators and parents who are proud members of two of NYSUT’s local unions, the Brentwood Teachers Association and the Central Islip Teachers Association.

Recognizing the importance of this action, the New York State Board of Regents and the New York State Parent Teacher Association have filed affirmations in support of NYSUT’s litigation.

The lawsuit challenges SUNY, its board of trustees and its Charter Schools Institute for approving charter school applications that do not appear to meet fundamental requirements under New York law, including demonstrated community support and evidence of likely educational benefit.

In both Brentwood and Central Islip, parents, educators, and local leaders raised serious concerns about the impact of additional charter schools on already-strained public school districts. SED considered those concerns and rejected the applications. SUNY did not.

“SUNY Charter Schools Institute’s actions left us no alternative,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person. “This entity has repeatedly ignored state law by dismissing community voices and overriding education experts in order to rubber-stamp charter applications. That is an abuse of its authority as a charter authorizer and a threat to public schools and the communities they serve. Public education works best when decisions are made with communities — not imposed on them — and that principle is worth defending.”

These actions from SUNY Charter Schools Institute represent a larger pattern: approving schools with little evidence of community need or support, and at times those with clear opposition. It also highlights the dysfunction created by New York’s dual charter authorizing system — which allows rejected applicants to shop their applications to SUNY Charter Schools Institute for likely approval without addressing concerns raised by state education department experts.

This legal action seeks to restore accountability, enforce the law as written, and protect the rights of local communities to have a meaningful voice in decisions that shape the future of their public schools.

View the legal filings here: nysut.cc/sunylawsuitdocs

Watch the video of SUNY's initial approval, SED's rejection and SUNY's second approval here: nysut.cc/sunylawsuitvideo

Free NYSUT poster honors Andrew Young

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 15:30:00 -0500

NYSUT celebrates Black History Month with a free poster honoring Andrew Jackson Young Jr., a pioneering American politician, diplomat and civil rights leader whose career has spanned more than six decades.

Young served as executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and was a close confidant of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As a strategist and negotiator, Young played key roles in the historic campaigns in Birmingham, St. Augustine, Selma and Atlanta that led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

In 1972, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming the first African American elected to Congress from Georgia since Reconstruction. Young has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, France’s Légion d’honneur, the NAACP Spingarn Medal, and more than 45 honorary degrees.

Visit nysut.org/publications to download a free copy; limited print copies are available.

SCHOOL AID RUNS: Your district's proposed funding for the 2026-27 state budget

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 10:48:00 -0500

School aid runs for the 2026-27 executive budget proposal are now available.

Download our Excel spreadsheet to compare your district's proposed aid to last year's funding data.

Open the document on your desktop computer and use the yellow drop-down menu (cell B1) to select your district from the alphabetical listing.

Comparison Data

2026-27 Executive Budget State Aid Profile

Additional Resources

NYSUT statement in opposition to Diamond Charter revision proposal

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 13:33:00 -0500

NYSUT President Melinda Person released the following statement:

“Diamond Charter School’s request is a bait and switch that would unfairly drain resources from two public school districts because the charter failed to secure a location.

Charter schools already strain the Hempstead Union Free School District’s budget, pulling critical funding away from neighborhood public schools. Now, Diamond is seeking approval to operate for two years outside its authorized district, shifting costs and disruption onto the West Hempstead Union Free School District as well.

Busing students out of district while a charter ‘figures out where to set up shop’ is not accountability; it’s poor planning with real consequences for students and taxpayers. NYSUT urges SUNY Charter Schools Committee to reject this proposal and encourages parents, educators, and community members to make their voices heard.”

Read the revision proposal.

A public hearing is scheduled for Jan. 21 at 5:30 p.m. at A.B.G.S. Middle School Bandbox in Hempstead.

NYSUT responds to the FY 2027 Executive Budget Proposal

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 15:57:00 -0500

NYSUT President Melinda Person released the following statement in reaction to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s executive budget proposal:

“Gov. Kathy Hochul’s executive budget proposal underscores the critical role that public education, from early childhood through higher education, plays in strengthening New York’s families, economy and future.

NYSUT welcomes the governor’s proposal to increase school aid, including a 3 percent increase in Foundation Aid overall, providing districts with stability while building on the state’s long-standing commitment to public schools. We look forward to additional updates to ensure the formula best serves all of New York’s students. We also strongly support the continued investment in universal school meals, ensuring students are ready to learn and families can count on this essential support.

The proposal’s investments in early childhood education are an important step forward. By supporting truly universal pre-K, the state is giving districts resources to expand and to bring these programs into public schools and ensure they are delivered by certified teachers.

NYSUT is also encouraged by increased operating aid for SUNY and CUNY, which strengthens New York’s public higher education system and helps keep college affordable for all. The expansion of SUNY and CUNY Reconnect will boost these incredible programs at our community colleges, and further open doors for adult learners seeking training in high-demand fields that support local economies across the state.

NYSUT is ready to work side by side with the governor and the Legislature to build on this proposal, move New York forward, and ensure public education remains accessible, affordable and strong for every community.”

Read the full FY 2027 Executive Budget Proposal

See the school runs

Celebrate our new National Board Certified Teachers!

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:46:00 -0500

NYSUT celebrates more than 60 educators who newly achieved National Board Certification, along with 57 New York state educators who successfully maintained their certification for another five years.

NYSUT strongly supports National Board candidates by offering awareness programs, supportive writing retreats, online discussion forums and professional learning through the union’s Education & Learning Trust and the state network of teacher centers. The union has also successfully advocated for local incentives, stipends and the state’s Albert Shanker Grant, which covers the costs for National Board Certification. The deadline to apply for a Shanker grant is Feb. 19, 2026. For more info, visit Albert Shanker Grant Program at NYSED.GOV.

For NYSUT resources on National Board Certification, visit nysut.org/nbpts.

2025 Newly certified New York state NBCTs

Albany Public School Teachers Association

Allen Landman, Career and Technical Education/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood

Arlington Teachers Association

Brendan Hun, Health Education/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood

Brentwood Teachers Association

Naomi Fran, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood

Brewster Teachers Association

Helimerc Alejo, Mathematics/Adolescence and Young Adulthood

Cobleskill-Richmondville Teachers Association

Peter Arruda ,Social Studies-History/Early Adolescence

Cornwall Central Teachers Association

Eric Holzapple, Mathematics/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Taylor Perugini, English Language Arts/Adolescence and Young Adulthood

Croton Teachers Association

Jodi Burger, Social Studies-History/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Kirby Mosenthal, School Counseling/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood

Great Neck Teachers Association

Carrie Doria, Health Education/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
Cynthia James-Manzi, Library Media/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
Alexander Redito, Social Studies-History/Adolescence and Young Adulthood

Hastings Teachers Association

April Browne, Art/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood

Horseheads Teachers Association

Kyle Fuller, English Language Arts/Adolescence and Young Adulthood

Kenmore Teachers Association

Alexander Bianchi, Generalist/Early Childhood

Levittown United Teachers

Melanie Murphy, English Language Arts/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Kerry Schaefer-Romeo, Social Studies-History/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Melissa Thompson, Social Studies-History/Early Adolescence

Lewiston-Porter United Teachers

Teri Fallesen, Art/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood

Manhasset Education Association

Marissa Biggio, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood

Newburgh Teachers Association

Jessica Colandrea, Generalist/Middle Childhood
Lourdes Lopez-Romero, Generalist/Early Childhood

Niskayuna Teachers Association

Jennifer Christiano, Health Education/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
Stacey McClenon, Music/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
Christina Pizzino-Catalano, Music/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood

North Babylon Teachers Organization

Elizabeth Luna, Science/Adolescence and Young Adulthood

Plainedge Federation of Teachers

Caitlin Sweeney, English Language Arts/Early Adolescence

Roosevelt Teachers Association

Irina Renner, English Language Arts/Adolescence and Young Adulthood

Saugerties Teachers Association

Catherine Corso, Mathematics/Early Adolescence

Sayville Teachers Association

Ashley Merchant, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood

Schenectady Federation of Teachers

Loreen Gilligan, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood
Megan Sellepack, Library Media/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
Nicole Zelkowitz, Science/Early Adolescence

Shenendehowa Teachers Association

Rockne Travis, Career and Technical Education/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
Stephanie Haney, English Language Arts/Adolescence and Young Adulthood

Teachers Association of Lindenhurst

Marisa Pandolfo-Hartnett, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood

Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES Teachers Association

Jennifer Hightower, Science/Adolescence and Young Adulthood

Uniondale Teachers Association

Maureen Bowie, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood
Jessica Rothman, Generalist/Middle Childhood

United Federation of Teachers

Carly Colvin, Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
Robert Eugene, Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
Sophia Kang, English Language Arts/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Alexander Kerber, Science/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Cassi Park, Generalist/Early Childhood
Kate Rozycki, Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
Narissa Sarwar, Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
Gilbert Schuerch, Physical Education/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
Samantha Silverman, Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
Jennifer Snyder, Science/Early Adolescence
Nile Yohay, Generalist/Middle Childhood

United Staff Association of Putnam and Northern Westchester Boces

Jesse Steiner, Art/Early and Middle Childhood

Wappingers Congress of Teachers

Amanda Giancotti, Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood

West Genesee District Teachers Association

Mary Beth Past, Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
Jessica Fisher, Mathematics/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Kelly McIntyre, Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
Karen Schweitzer, Generalist/Early Childhood
Kara Sweeney, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood
Kathryn Williams, Generalist/Middle Childhood
Laura Willkens, English Language Arts/Adolescence and Young Adulthood

Yonkers Federation of Teachers

Sunitha Howard, Science/Early Adolescence
John Paulose, Career and Technical Education/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
Jessica Wilson, Generalist/Early Childhood

2025 Maintenance of Certification, New York state NBCTs

Deeanna Abrams, David Amidon, Alyssa Anthony, Tanya Baker, M A Baker-Bozsik, Yvonne Banks, Geoffrey Bizan, Marcia Brant, Krystal Brown, Kristen Brunken, Christa Buccola Henriquez, Olga Chernyak, Jennifer Clift, Donya Clute, Ivelisse Cortes, Shari Costello, Maura Czachor, Tiffany Duquette, Jessica England, Sharon Farrell, Kiersten Franz, Melissa Gergen, Crystal Gill, Jennifer Gillette, Nancy Goldblatt, Christine Graham, Lencey Hagan, Christine Heidelberger, Christine Horton, Mary Howard, Michelle Ignaszewski, Laura Ineson, Kathryn Kaufman, Hal Kaufman, Kristen Lane, Meredith Lewis, Liana Mahoney, Valerie Manzo, Jennifer Matula, Jessica Melchior, Kimberly Milton, Nichole Nastke, Julie Neugebauer, Caroline Phillips, Virginia Powell, Emily Pranis, Stefanie Rice, Meghan Rilley, Tamara Rupertus, Kristen Ryan, Alan Schorn, Lauren Shkolnik, Manoj Thadhani, Melanie Thomas, Melissa Vega, Mona Voelkel, Elisabeth Wathen

For NYSUT resources on National Board Certification, visit nysut.org/nbpts.

NYSUT releases ready solutions to strengthen the educator workforce

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 15:05:00 -0500

As Gov. Kathy Hochul rolls out proposals to strengthen and rebuild New York’s teacher workforce, New York State United Teachers today released a new report, Forging a New Future: Recruitment and Certification, offering practical, ready-to-implement solutions to address issues in teacher certification and recruitment.

The teacher shortage is a national problem, and in New York, persists in key subject areas across the state, including secondary-level Special Education, Career and Technical Education, Science, English Language Arts, Math, and Library Media Specialists, according to federal data.

All the while, enrollment in New York’s teacher preparation programs has dropped 42 percent, and program completions are down at least 35 percent, according to NYSUT research since 2009. These are trends that threaten students’ access to qualified educators across the state.

Over the past two years, NYSUT convened a statewide workgroup of educators and teacher educators — from early childhood through higher education — to study what’s broken in the recruitment and certification system and what will work to fix it.

The result is a set of evidence-based recommendations designed to recruit and retain educators, reduce financial barriers, and streamline a certification system that has become unnecessarily complex.

“These are not theoretical ideas; they are shovel-ready solutions,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person. “We appreciate the governor’s focus on rebuilding the educator workforce, and we encourage policymakers to seriously consider these proposals as steps we can take immediately this year. Our students don’t have time to wait.”

Key Recommendations from the Report:

Create a new statewide paid student teaching program providing $10,000 stipends to student teachers in shortage areas
Expand teacher residency and apprenticeship programs statewide
Convene a State Education Department workgroup to review, simplify, and streamline the certification system
Increase funding for mentorship and teacher pipeline programs
Restore and expand proven state and local teacher recruitment programs
Reimburse the cost of master's degree tuition at SUNY rates
Cover all state-mandated certification costs, including exams, workshops, and fingerprinting

Among the top recommendations is creating a statewide student teacher stipend program, which would pay aspiring educators during their required student teaching. States that have adopted stipends have seen immediate gains in recruitment.

Importantly, the report makes clear that strengthening the pipeline does not mean lowering standards. NYSUT’s proposals focus on cutting red tape — such as simplifying certification pathways, improving reciprocity, and addressing application backlogs — while maintaining New York’s rigorous expectations for educators.

“Our members know what it takes to attract and keep great educators in the profession,” said NYSUT Executive Vice President Jaime Ciffone. “These recommendations reflect years of work by educators themselves and offer a clear roadmap for policymakers who are serious about solving the teacher shortage.”

Read the full report: Forging a New Future: Teacher Recruitment and Certification.

NYSUT announces endorsements in Feb. 3 special election

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:12:00 -0500

New York State United Teachers today announced its endorsements in the upcoming special election scheduled for Feb. 3.

“Our endorsements are driven by our members’ belief that who we elect matters for the future of public education and our communities,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person. “We are supporting candidates who have shown—through their records and their priorities—that they will govern with students, educators, and working families in mind.”

NYSUT is proud to endorse the following candidates:

Assembly District 36: Diana Moreno: A former staffer at the New York State Nurses Association, Moreno brings a strong background in labor advocacy and a clear commitment to working families.
Assembly District 74: Keith Powers: Powers, a former New York City Council member, has a proven record of public service and a deep understanding of the needs of urban communities.
Senate District 47: Erik Bottcher: Bottcher, a New York City Council member and former LGBTQ liaison to the governor, understands that strong public services, respect for working people, and inclusive communities go hand in hand.

Diana Moreno said: “As a daughter of an educator and the mother of a 1-year-old I intend to send to our public schools, I’m beyond proud to receive the endorsement of New York State United Teachers. I will be ready on Day One to stand with NYSUT to invest in our public schools, Fix Tier 6, and oppose any attempt to siphon off public funds for charter schools and private school vouchers.”

Keith Powers said: "For 54 years, NYSUT has been on the front lines advocating for workers’ rights, quality public education, and strong communities. I look forward to continuing to stand with NYSUT to invest in our public schools and fight against any harmful impacts of the private school voucher program."

Erik Bottcher said: “I’m deeply grateful for the support of NYSUT, and the educators, school staff, and healthcare workers who power our communities and fight for working people. I’m excited to partner with NYSUT to deliver the funding our public schools deserve, and block policies that could weaken public education and shortchange our kids.”

New York requires social media companies to put warning labels for youth on their platforms

Molly Belmont — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 17:17:00 -0500

Research studies have repeatedly called attention to the fact that social media is dangerous for kids, but now social media companies themselves will be forced to warn people of the dangers of using their platforms.

Gov. Kathy Hochul recently signed legislation that requires social media platforms to display warning labels explaining the dangerous impact certain features have on young users’ mental health, like warnings found on tobacco, alcohol, and certain foods.

“Keeping New Yorkers safe has been my top priority since taking office, and that includes protecting our kids from the potential harms of social media features that encourage excessive use,” said Hochul.

The labels are required for all platforms that use addictive feeds, autoplay or infinite scroll, and warnings will appear at first use, and periodically during continued use. Users will not be able to bypass or click through the warnings.

Recent studies show that adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the risk of anxiety and depression, and teenagers with the highest levels of social media use are nearly twice as likely to rate their overall mental health as poor or very poor.

“For too long, our children have been exposed to unsafe, addictive products, resulting in a terrible mental health crisis among our youth. New York has become a leader in prioritizing children’s health and safety over Big Tech profit, by passing commonsense policies that protect children’s privacy, limit addictive design, and require social media warning labels — which are an important tool to ensure parents and youth understand the threat social media platforms pose. We couldn’t be more grateful to Governor Hochul for her dedicated work and leadership on this important issue,” said Julie Scelfo, executive director of Mothers Against Media Addiction.

“I am grateful that Governor Hochul is putting in place warnings for families that social media impacts mental health negatively,” said Lysa Mullady, a school counselor and member of the Copiague Teachers Association and past president of the New York State School Counselors Association. “Parents don't realize how harmful things are until there is someone who steps up to elevate understanding.” Warning labels will help educate the public and start important conversations about how these platforms impact children’s health and well-being, Mullady said.

“I 100 percent support this law,” said Maria Gonzalez, a school psychologist and a member of the Rochester TA. “This is extremely important if we’re serious about addressing the extremely negative impact these platforms have on our kids’ mental health.” Gonzalez, who was a panelist at last year’s Disconnected conference in Rochester, said she has been eagerly following the legislation since it was introduced last winter.

Too often, parents don’t realize how dangerous these platforms can be for young people. Constant social media usage impacts children’s social development, and even brain chemistry, altering how their brains function, Gonzalez explained. “I think once parents know how it can affect their children, they will be more likely to follow through and educate themselves,” she said.

“These warning labels will provide students and parents with an opportunity to understand that these social media platforms and companies are designed to be addictive,” said Trish Hoyer, a school social worker and member of the New Hartford TA. “The true intent of these platforms is to get them hooked and keep them hooked. Any time we can have a conversation about that, it’s growth.”

Sponsored by Sen. Andrew Goundardes and Assemblymember Nily Rozic, the social media law is the latest in a series of laws that NYSUT has supported to tackle digital safety and address the youth mental health crisis.

Beginning in 2024, the union and its partners mobilized to get two groundbreaking bills — SAFE for Kids Act and the Child Data Protection Act — passed in New York. With the ink barely dry on the legislation, the governor and NYSUT turned their attention to distraction-free schools, and succeeded in getting the Distraction-Free Schools law passed and signed in May of 2025, making New York the largest state in the country to restrict smart devices during the school day.

NYSUT's response to State of the State address

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 14:22:00 -0500

NYSUT President Melinda Person released the following statement in response to Gov. Hochul's 2026 State of the State address:

“The Governor’s State of the State makes clear that she is choosing to lead with her values — protecting children, supporting families and strengthening public education at every level. By investing in childcare, safeguarding kids’ mental health and online safety, expanding truly universal Pre-K in our public schools, investing in teaching and learning, and keeping SUNY and CUNY affordable, the Governor is delivering an agenda rooted in opportunity and the belief that government can and should make life better for families. Educators are ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Governor and Legislature to turn these commitments into real, measurable progress for New York’s students and communities.”

Small districts face pressures to reorganize

Molly Belmont — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 10:35:00 -0500

Rebecca Healy has been a science teacher in the Morrisville-Eaton Central School District for 21 years and has watched successive rounds of spending cuts gut the two schools in this proud, tight-knit community.

“We don’t have electives anymore. We haven’t had AP courses since the early 2000s. We used to have enrichment classes and reading programs, but they all had to be cut, and now we’re just down to bare bones,” said Healy, president of the Morrisville-Eaton Faculty Association.

Declining enrollments and a shrinking tax base forced the small, rural district to cut everything that wasn’t essential, she said. Now Healy and her colleagues are instructing middle and high schoolers and worrying that their students aren’t getting an education comparable to students in surrounding communities.

“I used to teach four sections of seventh graders. Now I teach six periods a day, including a physics class. I’m not certified in physics, but there wasn’t anyone else who could do it,” Healy said.

Healy said kids are being shortchanged, and educators are running themselves ragged. “It is such a nice community, but I just feel like that’s all falling apart.”

She is hoping a proposed merger with neighboring Cazenovia Central School District could be the solution. The two districts approved a resolution in September 2024 to conduct a feasibility study on a potential merger after an invitation from Morrisville-Eaton. “I see it as a kind of ladder out of the hole,” Healy said.

The proposed merger with Cazenovia represents a win-win, she said. The state aid that comes with mergers could restore programming and help boost teacher pay, Healy said, and she has been assured by her superintendent that Morrisville-Eaton jobs would be safe. “That’s how I’ve been selling it to my members,” she said.

Once consigned to the realm of private industry, mergers and consolidations are increasingly becoming bywords in the world of education, as more school districts try to deal with the one-two punch of tapering enrollments and vanishing revenue through massive district reorganizations.

School districts can reorganize in four distinct ways: annexation, centralization, consolidation and dissolution, and the approach is determined largely by the type of districts involved: city, union free, central or common.

Recent changes to a New York statute mean increased reorganization incentive aid is available for districts that do combine, and that’s impelling more districts to weigh potential risks and benefits of reorganizations.

“It seems like every corner of the state is encouraging us to figure out what we can do to share, and I think it’s only a matter of time, especially if the state aid stagnates, before we have to start taking a really, really close look at that,” said John Cain, president of the Copenhagen Teachers Association and chair of NYSUT’s Small and Rural Locals Advisory Council. There are 685 locals in NYSUT with 100 members or less.

The council took up the topic during its latest meeting in November, and presidents of small local unions discussed their experience with these shake-ups, as well as the unique pressures small districts face. Small, rural districts are often dogged by limited resources, and that, combined with geographic isolation and workforce shortages, drive many to explore mergers, Cain said.

Education is an economy of scale, and it favors larger, high-density schools because when costs are spread across more students, programming becomes cheaper, he explained.

Contrast that with a more rural school: “We have districts in our area that have one classroom per grade level and might have one high school history teacher and one high school English teacher that are responsible for all of 9 through 12,” said Cain. “That’s tough to sustain as the costs of everything continue to go up and up, like diesel fuel for our buses and heating oil. We’re going to see it with the districts that are smallest and the most rural before we see it anywhere else.”

New York school districts are also contending with declining birthrates, which is expected to increase pressure to consolidate. According to a 2024 report by Cornell University, the state’s population could shrink by as much as 13 percent, or nearly 2 million people, over the next 25 years due to low-fertility rates and aging. The number of children, ages 0-17, is expected to decline between 10 and 25 percent during that same period.

Canajoharie Central School District and Fort Plain Central School District, which are located about an hour west of Albany, are exploring a proposal to merge, or centralize, their two rural districts this year.

“I think it's important that these districts continue to survive,” said Rob Jenks, president of the Fort Plain TA. “The best way of doing that, and helping our students, is to merge.”

The proposal will be up for an informal ‘straw vote’ in June 2026, after the initiative was rejected by voters last March.

When the merger went down last spring, a special committee was convened to determine whether the districts should continue to consider the merger. The committee decided that, based on probable state and federal budget shortfalls, continued loss of programming, and ongoing difficulties recruiting qualified employees, it only made sense to reintroduce the measure for another vote in a year.

Jenks believes more education this time around will make a difference. “I just think that they didn't get enough information out to the community in order for people to want to vote yes on it,” he said.

When a school district is centralized, a new school district is created that encompasses the entire area of the merged districts. Teachers in the old school districts become employees in the newly formed district, with preference given to the most senior teaching personnel, and laid off teachers are added to a preferred eligible list for seven years, which gives them priority for rehire within their tenure area.

If the measure is successfully passed this time around, Jenks said he worries about the newer teachers, who make up about 25 percent of his membership; at the same time, 15 percent of his members are within five years of retirement.

“I think you always worry about your new teachers, the ones just starting out,” said Jenks. The districts have said that all four buildings would remain open, although they might be repurposed for different grades, he said. “That’s what they’re saying, but obviously, we have to wait and see.”

Timothy Field, co-president of the Canajoharie United School Employees TA, was also positive about the potential Canajoharie – Fort Plain centralization, citing the anticipated erosion of programming if voters insist on going it alone. “It’s not that we’re in rough financial straits; it’s that we’re not going to be able to offer as much to students if we don’t merge,” Field said.

Field is confident that Canajoharie jobs are safe. “I don’t think we’re going to lose anyone. I think we’re going to be able to keep everyone on board,” he said. Natural attrition and opportunities for team teaching will help smooth out overlapping roles in the short-term, he said, but of course, they won’t have specifics until the process is further along. “Those are the details that are difficult to figure out until you’re actually constructing the new district.”

Last spring, the Wynantskill Union Free School District and Troy City School District merged their athletic programs, because Wynantskill students wanted access to more sports and extracurriculars. “That was kind of like a first step,” said Kaelyn Madelone, a first-grade teacher and president of the Wynantskill TA. “It didn’t mean we were merging districts or anything, but it was like, ‘Let’s try this out.’”

The Wynantskill district comprises one building, Gardner-Dickinson School, which encompasses pre-K through 8. In recent years, declining enrollments and mounting costs have been putting increasing pressure on the school. “When I first started there, we had close to 500 students and now we're down to 300,” said Madelone.

Finally, this August, Wynantskill and Troy agreed to do a feasibility study, which is the first official step in a reorganization process. The study results will be shared with the community and then district residents will vote on whether to move forward with the measure.

If voters ultimately pass the measure, Wynantskill will be annexed to Troy, and its territory will be added to the Troy CSD. The Troy superintendent and school board have already announced their intention to keep the Gardner-Dickinson School open, and its employees intact, Madelone said.

“Initially, it was heartbreaking, honestly. When you work in a small district, you wear a lot of hats and you’re just putting your heart into the building, and then, to find out that it’s not really going to be ours anymore, that was heartbreaking,” Madelone said.

However, Madelone’s attitude changed when she learned how much her students would benefit.

“The kids would get so many more programs, so many more opportunities than we could ever hope to have at our little school with the budget that we have,” said Madelone.

The newly reorganized district stands to receive a total of $241 million in state funding, and any outstanding debt would be recalculated at Troy’s building aid ratio.

With advantages like that in the balance, Wynantskill TA held a vote on the annexation; 97 percent of members voted to support the move.

“My biggest piece of advice: figure out what your members want to do and make sure that you stick together, because then that's going to make your voice more powerful in the whole situation,” said Madelone.

NYSUT responds to Hochul’s universal Pre-K proposal

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 13:14:00 -0500

NYSUT President Melinda Person released the following statement in response to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s child care and Pre-K proposal today:

“We applaud the governor’s commitment to achieving truly universal Pre-K by expanding access and strengthening the resources that make quality early learning possible. By increasing funding alongside new seats, the state is helping ensure programs are well-supported, embedded within public schools, and staffed by educators with the training and certification children deserve. That’s how we make sure every child enters kindergarten ready to learn. This is what it looks like to put families first and build a future rooted in opportunity and affordability.”

The governor's announcement comes a day after NYSUT, lawmakers and advocacy groups held a press conference at the Capitol calling for universal childcare.

Safer and healthier school buildings

Catherine Rizos — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 10:51:00 -0500

NYSUT member Dianne Nurre, a math intervention teacher at Myers Corners Elementary School in the Wappingers Central School District, has been involved with health and safety issues for many years, first at her school and now as a member of the district-wide health and safety committee.

“Indoor air quality issues have been a big part of the conversation in our health and safety committee, and I want to see what more I can learn about it,” said Nurre, a member of the Wappingers Congress of Teachers.

In early November, Nurre attended the state Department of Health’s School Environmental Health Conference. The free event, held in Kingston, brought together nurses, teachers, facilities managers, school administrators and others to engage with colleagues and learn about how to make school buildings safer places for students to learn and for staff to work.

The focus of this year’s conference was indoor air quality and featured discussions on the science of cleaner indoor air, the effect of scents and fragrances on health and fire safety, and a hands-on demonstration of how to build a Corsi-Rosenthal box — a low-budget air-cleaning device that can be made using commonly available materials like a box fan and air filters.

A top takeaway for Nurre was how interconnected environmental health issues are within a school’s ecosystem.

“I learned a lot during a session on safer science and indoor air quality led by the Laboratory Safety Institute,” said Nurre. “The presenters shared recommendations for shifts to more sustainable chemicals, proper management of stockrooms and the importance of training and professional development to help schools stay healthy.”

Nurre, who co-founded her local health and safety committee, appreciated the conference’s structure and the variety of topics covered. “There were concurrent sessions over the course of the day so I could attend the sessions that were most relevant to my local.”

The state hosts the free School Environmental Health Conference annually and offers related information and resources to schools year-round in a non-regulatory capacity. Other topics covered at this year’s event included radon testing and mitigation, pest management, energy efficient building construction, funding for clean transportation, and the recently enacted Education Law 409-n related to extreme temperatures in schools.

To learn more about school environmental health issues and the resources available to address them, sign up for NYSUT’s Health and Safety Bulletin at: nysut.cc/HSnewsletter.

NYSUT’s 2026 Legislative Priorities Preview

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 15:00:00 -0500

NYSUT fights for what our members tell us matters most to their students, professions, schools, families and communities. We want to hear from you!

Take our survey about what matters most to you.

As we head into 2026, NYSUT is ready to advocate for the policies and budget priorities that will strengthen our public schools and support the educators who make them work. We fight for what you, our members, have told us matters most. Every policy we advance, support, or oppose reflects our shared vision—built on the needs of our members, students, families, schools, and communities.

Strong public schools are the centers of our communities. Together, we'll keep fighting for the resources that set every student up for success. With everything we do, we seek to:

Support schools where students and educators can thrive.
Ensure our members’ professions are enticing and sustainable career choices.
Build the power of our union, so we can better represent our members and support our students and public schools.

These are just some of the things we’ll be working on this year:

Funding Foundation Aid

Ensuring our public schools are fully funded: After a 30-year fight, in 2023 NYSUT helped get the state to finally meet its full funding requirements to New York’s public school students.

NYSUT President Melinda Person says: “Fully funding Foundation Aid is about keeping a promise to our kids that no matter their zip code, their public school will have what it takes to help them thrive. When we invest in schools based on what they really need, we strengthen entire communities and build a fairer, stronger future.”

NYSUT wants: We remain laser-focused on ensuring the state continues to fully fund Foundation Aid. NYSUT will also continue to work with lawmakers on common-sense changes to the Foundation Aid formula to better support our students and our schools in every community.

Learn more:

Fair Share New York

Addressing wealth inequality: New York state has the highest concentration of ultra-wealth in the nation. While the richest New Yorkers (including 136 billionaires) have lined their pockets and added billions to their fortunes in just a few short years, more and more New Yorkers are struggling just to make ends meet. To make matters worse, the 2025 federal reconciliation bill has gifted another $12 billion to the richest New Yorkers.

With historic levels of inequality and 48 percent of New Yorkers struggling to get by, NYSUT is calling for modest tax increases on the wealthiest individuals and most profitable corporations, to help fund public services and rebalance the tax code after unfair federal cuts.

NYSUT President Melinda Person says: “We’re not asking for charity. We’re asking for justice. When everyone pays their fair share, every child has a fair shot.”

NYSUT wants: Small changes that will make a big difference, including:

1 percent increase in income taxes on New Yorkers earning more than $5 million annually
1.9 percent increase on corporate taxes for corporations earning more than $5 million annually
Recapture New York’s share of corporate taxes that are currently being avoided by multinational corporations doing business in the state but shifting their profits to overseas tax havens.

Learn more:

Pushing Back on Private School Vouchers

Stopping federal attacks on public schools. A new federal private school voucher scheme would funnel billions of tax dollars away from public schools and into private schools with no oversight and no guarantee of quality education. Will New York opt in to this privatization scheme, or will we protect the public schools that serve 90 percent of our children?

NYSUT President Melinda Person says: “Why are we talking about funding private schools when we’re not fully funding all of our public schools? Vouchers would pull billions from public schools to subsidize private education, with no accountability. We need to strengthen public education, not strip our schools’ resources.”

NYSUT wants: For NY to refuse to opt in to this federal voucher scheme.

Learn more:

Expanding Community Schools to Help Fight the Scourge of Child Poverty

Every child deserves a chance. 2.7 million New Yorkers live in poverty. That includes 760,000 children, or 1 in 5 — a rate that exceeds the national average and overall poverty rates in both the state and country. These children don’t have access to sufficient food, housing, or healthcare, which has a profoundly negative effect on their ability to learn, their potential and their outcomes. Childhood poverty doesn’t just affect poor families and children; it affects entire communities.

NYSUT President Melinda Person says: “In the richest state in the richest nation on earth, this is unacceptable, and we can do something about it. Poverty is not inevitable. It is a policy choice, and we can choose better.”

 NYSUT wants: To expand proven and effective community school programs across the state. Currently, less than one-third of New York school districts utilize the community school model, despite proven returns on investment and improved outcomes for both students and families. NYSUT is asking for $100 million to expand community school programs across the state and $5 million to United Community Schools.

Learn more:

Website: 1in5NY.org

Civics Education and Media Literacy

Educating the next generation of citizens. Civic education is how we pass down the habits, values and knowledge that keep our democracy alive. But across the country, that civic foundation is eroding because decades of policy decisions that have narrowed what schools are asked to prioritize.

NYSUT President Melinda Person says: “Media literacy is literacy. Prioritizing civics education is not about adding another standardized test; it’s about preparing kids to participate as active citizens in our democracy. It’s about giving young people the skills to spot disinformation, understand how power works, and believe that their voices matter.”

NYSUT wants: Increased focus on civics education, access to the Seal of Civic Readiness, expanded social studies instruction, and stronger digital media literacy initiatives for students across the state.

Learn more:

Pushing for Play and Recess Time

Play is essential to learning and development. Since the early 2000s, driven largely by pressure to maximize instructional time and test preparation, many school districts have reduced recess or eliminated it altogether.

In the 1970s, children averaged 90 to 120 minutes of recess time daily. A 2025 NYSUT survey of early childhood educators found that over 90 percent of students receive less than 30 minutes of outdoor recess daily, and more than 42 percent of educators reported that recess time has decreased over the past three to five years. That’s in spite of the fact that research shows that physically active children have better grades, attendance and focus, and that play builds critical skills, including problem-solving, cooperation and emotional regulation.

NYSUT President Melinda Person says: “Across the state and the country, recess is too often treated as optional — or as a distraction from learning. But educators know what our students show us every day: Play IS learning, and it’s essential for our students to succeed.”

NYSUT wants: To join other states in establishing minimum playtime standards in schools; we recommend at least 30 minutes of daily, protected recess for our youngest learners.

In 2025, we pushed for a law requiring the State Education Department to conduct an official study of recess and playtime standards in schools across the state. This bill passed the Legislature with unanimous support in 2025. We’ll continue to advocate for the Power of Play this year.

Learn more:

Charter School Accountability

Public dollars deserve public oversight and voter input. Charter schools receive public funding but operate with limited transparency and no accountability to the taxpayers who foot the bill. Unchecked expansion of corporate charter schools drains resources from public schools and often excludes students with the highest needs. Additionally, local voters should have a say as to whether a charter school should be able to open in their community.

NYSUT President Melinda Person says: “If charter schools claim to be public, they must play by public rules. That means transparency, accountability, and serving all children — not just the cherry-picked students that fit a specific business model.”

NYSUT wants: For state law to hold corporate charter schools to the same level of financial transparency and public accountability that is required of our public schools.

Learn more:

Fixing Tier 6

Equal work must mean equal retirement security. New York’s pension system for Tiers 5 and 6 is fundamentally unfair, forcing newer educators and public employees to pay more and work longer for far less.

NYSUT President Melinda Person says: “Fixing Tier 6 is about basic fairness. It’s about keeping our promise to those who dedicate their lives to public service.”

 NYSUT wants: Full parity with members currently in Tier 4 of the retirement system. Together, we’ve already achieved several important wins, and we’ll be back at it this year. There are many ways to get this done, and in 2026 NYSUT will be working with lawmakers who support these changes and our partners representing public sector workers.

This year, NYSUT members turned out in all seasons to rally to Fix Tier 6. On March 8, we’ll be holding our biggest rally yet in Albany. Make sure you’re signed up!

Learn more:

Website: FixTier6.org

Higher Education & Research Funding

Strong campuses, strong communities. NYSUT supports full funding for SUNY, CUNY, and community colleges; additional support and protection for institutions like SUNY ESF that produce beneficial, life-saving research; and expanded access to higher education for adult learners.

NYSUT President Melinda Person says: “CUNY and SUNY are world-class institutions that open doors, fuel our economy, and serve as anchors for communities in every corner of New York. We must invest in them accordingly, because when we strengthen public higher education, we strengthen opportunity, innovation, and the future of our state.”

NYSUT wants: For our state’s public higher education system of SUNY, CUNY and community colleges to be funded properly and to be treated as the essential public good that it is — one that meets the needs of our communities and reflects the tremendous talents and potential within our state.

Learn more:

Defending Retiree Healthcare Benefits (IRMAA)

New York's public servants deserve a stable, dignified retirement, including the healthcare benefits they were promised. NYSUT remains vigilant against any attempt to balance the state budget on the backs of retired educators and public employees.

In some recent years, executive budget proposals have included language that would eliminate IRMAA — the additional Medicare Part B premium that some retirees are required to pay. Cutting this reimbursement would cost retirees hundreds to thousands of dollars annually, breaking a promise to our retired public employees.

NYSUT President Melinda Person says: “New York's public servants deserve a stable, dignified retirement, not a threat to their financial security.”

NYSUT wants: For retirees to have the healthcare they’ve earned as public servants. We've stopped these cuts before, and we're prepared to do it again. As the budget process unfolds, NYSUT will be watching closely to ensure retiree healthcare benefits remain protected.

Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Retirees

Our retired members deserve a retirement that keeps pace with the cost of living, not one that loses value year after year. But inflation slowly chips away at that security, as the cost of groceries, utilities, healthcare and everyday essentials continues to rise.

New York does provide a cost-of-living adjustment for public retirees — but the base amount used to calculate that adjustment hasn't been updated since 2000. After more than 25 years, it's time for the COLA to reflect the economic reality retirees face today.

NYSUT wants: Support for legislation to update the annual pension COLA so it better reflects the rising costs of goods and services faced by NYSUT retirees.

Addressing the Opioid Crisis

The opioid crisis touches every corner of our state, and educators see its impact daily as students cope with family trauma and loss. In schools across New York, teachers and counselors are on the front lines supporting students whose lives have been upended by addiction — whether their own struggles or the devastation it brings to their families and communities.

NYSUT wants: Opioid-related emergencies are unpredictable, and our schools must be prepared to respond. All schools should have naloxone on hand and staff trained to save lives in an emergency.

Learn more:

Educators join the fight against overdoses

Protecting Students from Vaping

Vaping has become an epidemic in our schools. These products are deliberately designed and marketed to appeal to young people, and educators see the impact daily – on student health, focus and classroom behavior. It is time to protect children from vaping and e-cigarette products that threaten their health and well-being.

NYSUT wants: Support for legislation that would ban vaping devices that are commonly used in schools such as those that are made to resemble pens, pencils and other school supplies.

Ongoing Support for CTE Programs

Career and Technical Education programs work. Students are able to earn industry certifications that put them in high demand in high-paying fields from day one. Students want these programs, schools want to offer them, and employers across our state are desperate for more skilled workers.

NYSUT President Melinda Person says: “For students, Career and Technical Education programs open doors to confidence, purpose, and opportunity. For educators, it’s a powerful reminder that when learning is relevant and hands-on, it can change lives.”

NYSUT wants: Continued state support for career and technical education programs that prepare students for good-paying, in-demand jobs in the trades and other high-need industries is vital to our students’ success and our state’s future.

Learn more:

Carbon-Free, Healthy Schools Bond Act

Healthy classrooms, resilient communities. The average school building in New York was built more than 50 years ago. We cannot continue to ask mid-20th-century facilities to meet 21st-century climate and learning demands.

NYSUT President Melinda Person says: “Clean air, stable temperatures and reliable heating and cooling are not luxuries; they are basic conditions for learning.  If we’re serious about student health, academic success and meeting New York’s clean-energy goals, we need a statewide investment that matches the scope of the challenge.”

NYSUT wants: A new Carbon-Free and Healthy Schools Bond Act to fund infrastructure upgrades and reduce emissions.

Learn more:

New York schools and campuses need clean-energy investment

End Receivership

Schools need support, not takeovers. New York’s receivership law is an ineffective policy that punishes schools in high-need districts and disempowers educators and families.

NYSUT President Melinda Person says: “Shaming schools with a failing label only discourages communities that are facing enormous challenges. Schools improve when the people in them are given resources and a voice.”

NYSUT wants: A repeal of the receivership system, to be replaced with a policy that supports — not shames — schools that need it most.

NYSUT fights for what our members tell us matters most to their students, professions, schools, families and communities. We want to hear from you!

Take our survey about what matters most to you.

NYSUT Wrapped 2025: The Year in Review

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 12:55:00 -0500

As we look back on 2025, NYSUT members have a lot to celebrate.

This was the year we delivered distraction-free schools, making New York the largest state in the nation to enact a statewide bell-to-bell cellphone policy. We won universal school meals for all 2.7 million New York students. We secured critical investments in SUNY, CUNY and community colleges, modernized BOCES funding for the first time in decades, and continued our fight to Fix Tier 6 with rallies in every corner of the state.

When federal cuts threatened public education, NYSUT members showed up in force at the Capitol to defend our schools. And at the ballot box, we delivered again—with 97 percent of school budgets passing and nearly 90 percent of NYSUT-endorsed candidates winning their races.

From school visits to organizing victories, from leadership conferences to landmark legislation, each accomplishment reflects the strength, dedication and unity of our members. When we come together, we get good things done.

As we look ahead, we carry this momentum forward with purpose. NYSUT will continue to fight for our members, our students and the communities we serve. Here's to another year of making a difference, together.

Legislative & Funding Victories

Distraction-Free Schools

This was the year NYSUT delivered on distraction-free schools — and New York became the largest state in the nation to enact a statewide bell-to-bell cellphone policy.

It started with our members. For years, NYSUT educators had been on the front lines of the youth mental health crisis, watching cellphones and social media chip away at students' well-being and ability to learn. In 2024, we began telling their stories, convened more than 500 educators, parents, healthcare professionals and law enforcement at our landmark Disconnected Conference, and united around a clear solution: New York needed a statewide, bell-to-bell policy.

By January 2025, Governor Hochul was all in. NYSUT kept the pressure up with regional Disconnected conferences across the state — Rochester, Tarrytown, Syracuse, Buffalo, Plattsburgh and Long Island — building a coalition of parents, educators, students and community members demanding action.

In May, we won. Governor Hochul came to NYSUT headquarters to celebrate the victory, announcing a $13.5 million investment in distraction-free schools.

"There were those who were opposed. Those who said it couldn't be done," Hochul said. "But they sure as heck didn't know who they were messing with because I had 700,000 members of NYSUT on my side... and we got it done."

The policy took effect on August 1 — and the results have been transformative. In NYSUT's initial survey, 89.7 percent of educators said they're already seeing positive change, with better social interactions, more attentive students, and increased participation. Some called it the "best start to a school year in a decade."

A statewide survey released by the governor's office in December confirmed those findings: 92 percent of schools reported a smooth transition, 83 percent reported more positive classrooms and better student engagement, and 75 percent said the policy is improving their ability to teach effectively.

"When students put down their phones, they pick up books — and build friendships," said NYSUT President Melinda Person. "This isn't about being anti-phone or anti-technology — it's about being pro-childhood."

Universal School Meals

After years of advocacy, NYSUT and its coalition partners delivered on a promise: free breakfast and lunch for all 2.7 million New York students.

The $340 million universal school meals program, enacted in this year's state budget, requires all districts, charter schools and participating nonpublic schools to provide free meals to every student — regardless of family income — starting in the 2025-26 school year.

The victory was years in the making. When the USDA expanded the Community Eligibility Provision two years ago, 2.37 million New York children gained access to free meals — but 300,000 were left behind. NYSUT joined forces with the Healthy School Meals for All NY Kids Coalition to close that gap.

"In the richest state, in the richest country in the world, we shouldn't have children wondering where their next meal is coming from," said NYSUT President Melinda Person. "By expanding universal school meals statewide, we're ensuring that no child will face the impossible task of trying to learn while hungry."

One in five New York children lives in poverty. Universal meals reduce food insecurity, boost student health and enhance academic performance — and are expected to save families an estimated $165 per month, per child.

Public Higher Education Funding

New York's public colleges and universities are engines of opportunity and this year, NYSUT helped secure critical funding to keep them running strong.

NYSUT advocated for increased operating and capital funds for SUNY, CUNY and community colleges to ensure that New York can continue to deliver on its promise of accessible, affordable higher education. The enacted state budget delivered major investments in the state's public teaching hospitals, including $250 million for the modernization and revitalization of Upstate University Hospital and $450 million for infrastructure upgrades at SUNY Downstate Hospital.

The case for investment is clear: public higher education doesn't just benefit students—it strengthens New York's economy and workforce. SUNY alone returns $8.17 to the state for every dollar invested and ranks among the top 10 largest employers in every region outside New York City. CUNY and community colleges play an equally vital role, providing affordable pathways to degrees and credentials for millions of New Yorkers.

"Our public colleges and universities provide a pathway to success for countless New Yorkers," said NYSUT President Melinda Person. "We need generational investment to continue to meet this need."

NYSUT will continue fighting to ensure SUNY, CUNY and community colleges have the resources they need to remain a true public good for all New Yorkers.

Beginning of SUNY Downstate improvement project

When SUNY announced its plan to close the state-operated teaching hospital, NYSUT and UUP successfully fought to save the hospital and the vital services it provides to thousands of New Yorkers. In March 2024, we rallied with more than 1200 union members, healthcare professionals and community advocates – and it made a difference. This year, Gov. Hochul announced a $1 billion investment in SUNY Downstate to make infrastructure improvements and renovations that will modernize hospital care.

Foundation Aid and CTE Funding

For years, NYSUT fought to modernize New York's outdated BOCES funding formula that hadn't been updated since the early 1990s. This year, we won.

BOCES and CTE programs prepare students for well-paid, in-demand jobs right out of high school — from welding and electrical work to healthcare and aviation. But chronic underfunding meant lengthy waitlists and teacher shortages. With Baby Boomer retirements expected to spur historic labor shortages, the need for investment was urgent.

NYSUT members made the case directly to lawmakers: At our annual Committee of 100 lobby day, BOCES students from across the state performed CPR, flew drones, took blood pressure and assembled circuits, showing legislators exactly what's at stake.

The result? Over the next three years, the BOCES salary cap will increase from $30,000 to $60,000, and Special Services Aid will rise from $3,900 to $4,100. Starting in 2025-26, ninth grade will be included in Special Services Aid for the first time, greatly expanding access for students across the state.

"When we invest in programs like these, we're not just investing in individual students — we're investing in New York's future workforce and economic competitiveness," said NYSUT President Melinda Person.

SUNY & CUNY Reconnect Program

NYSUT participated in the launch of the SUNY Reconnect Tour, a new program that provides free community college for adults ages 25-55. This past fall, SUNY Reconnect began covering tuition, fees, books and supplies for adults without college degrees who pursue associate degrees in high-demand fields like nursing, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing and renewable energy. The program reflects key priorities from NYSUT’s New Deal for Higher Education campaign, which calls for public higher education that’s affordable and connected to community needs.

Protecting Educators in the AI age

The AI LOADING Act guarantees that no public employee – including public school district educators, BOCES staff, or higher education members at SUNY, CUNY and community colleges – can be displaced, lose hours, or lose benefits because of AI implementation. The law also ensures that collective bargaining rights are fully protected during AI implementation.

Government agencies are also required to publicly disclose all automated decision-making tools they use on their websites, including description of the tool, when its use began, and what its purpose is.

Protecting Students Online

Teens and children who spend more than three hours a day online double their risk of anxiety and depression. We also know that these social media sites have algorithms designed to be addictive. Now, just like warning labels for tobacco and alcohol, social media platforms must display warnings for younger users talking about the mental health risks of addictive social media behavior.

The warnings, which apply to any social media platform with addictive feeds, autoplay, or infinite scroll, build on recent victories: the SAFE for Kids Act, which bans addictive feeds for minors without parental consent, and NY Child Data Protection Act in 2024, which restricts platforms from collecting and selling minors' data for advertising, and the distraction-free schools law passed in 2025, banning cell phones bell-to-bell in our classrooms. Younger users will be shown the warnings when they first log onto the platform and then periodically with continued use.

Defending Our Public Schools

March Rally

When proposed federal cuts threatened public school funding, NYSUT members showed up by the hundreds.

On March 4, educators braved the bitter cold at the state Capitol as part of a nationwide Protect Our Kids Day of Action spanning more than 2,000 locations across the country. NYSUT members were joined by fellow union leaders and state education officials to deliver a clear message: New York will not stand by while students lose the resources they need.

"In New York we are not intimidated by a campaign of fear and chaos," NYSUT President Melinda Person told the crowd. "We are not divided by their threats. Our voices, united by love for our students and our communities, are more powerful than their wallets."

The rally was one powerful example of NYSUT educators turning out in force to defend public schools and the students they serve, and a reminder that when our members unite, they are a force to be reckoned with.

SUNY ESF

During a visit this fall, NYSUT President Melinda Person and United University Professions President Fred Kowal visited the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, where students are working on high-level, cutting-edge research that benefits people and communities around the state and the country.

In the months to come, NYSUT and UUP will continue to make the case that, as the realities of climate change affect more New Yorkers and as the federal government slashes research funding, the moment calls not for cuts, but for increased state support for the one-of-a-kind institutions that make up our higher education system.

The Science of Reading

Over the summer, NYSUT ELT launched a groundbreaking literacy initiative: "The Science of Reading: A Practical Approach for Educators." The free, comprehensive course is designed by educators, for educators. Delivered through NYSUT's Education & Learning Trust, the 10-module program equips teachers with evidence-based strategies rooted in the latest literacy research. Participants explore key frameworks like the Simple View of Reading and Scarborough's Reading Rope, learning how to boost students' fluency, comprehension and word recognition.

As of the end of 2025, thousands of NYSUT members have completed the course and the feedback from members has been overwhelmingly positive.

Fix Tier 6 Rallies

On the 6th of nearly every month this year, and in every corner of the state, NYSUT members turned out big to rally to Fix Tier 6! Joined by other public sector workers also affected by the state pension system, NYSUT members showed up in all seasons, in the hot and the cold, the rain, sun and snow, to make their voices heard and to remind our lawmakers that we won't quit until we Fix Tier 6.

Rochester

A blizzard forced us indoors but couldn't stop our momentum. Union members from across the region packed the venue, sending a clear message that weather wouldn't weaken our resolve.

Mid-Hudson

In June, and dodging thunderstorms, a huge crowd gathered in the middle of the Walkway Over the Hudson.

Long Island

On the same day in October, members gathered in force in both Suffolk and Nassau counties on Long Island. The rally at Suffolk Community College drew well over 1000 members, which made it our largest ever turnout for a Fix Tier 6 rally (so far).

Wins at the Ballot Box

School board and budget victories

New York voters delivered a strong vote of confidence in public education this May — and NYSUT members helped lead the way.

Across the state, 97 percent of school budgets passed, and 89 percent of NYSUT-endorsed candidates won their school board races, including 62 NYSUT members. Overall, NYSUT was involved in 517 school board races and won 91 percent of them.

"These victories aren't just about numbers; they're about values," said NYSUT President Melinda Person. "Public schools are the heart of our communities and the foundation of our country's future."

Improving Working and Learning Conditions

Classroom temp law goes into effect

A new state law took effect at the start of this school year requiring schools to remove staff and students from rooms when the indoor temperature exceeds 88 degrees. This landmark legislation is the direct result of NYSUT members across the state raising their voices in support of colleagues and students. When we come together, we get good things done.

Workplace violence prevention plans start going into effect

When NYSUT lobbied to have the Workplace Violence Prevention Act expanded to include public schools in 2023, the goal was to make classrooms safer for students and teachers alike and to ensure that the profession remained an attractive and sustainable career choice. This year, NYSUT began conducting WVPA training across the state to help locals implement the legislation.

Out with the old APPR, in with new, local plans

Punitive APPR plans are a thing of the past! Long-awaited Annual Professional Performance Review reforms went into effect in March, and SED issued guidance to help districts create their new Standards-based Educator Evaluation and Professional Support system or STEPS Plan. The new APPR system must be locally developed and bargained collectively with locals. The APPR system also decouples teacher evaluations from student performance measures like test scores, and districts may now grant tenure irrespective of the APPR scores awarded to probationary teachers.

Organizing & Contract Wins

Organizing

After a hard-fought battle, more than 140 professionals at Nazareth University were welcomed into the NYSUT family as members of Nazareth United Professionals. The organizing battle took over six months and faced strong anti-union activity from the employer, including members of the organizing committee being disciplined or fired. Workers faced increasing workloads, vacant positions, increasingly high turnover, and the erosion of benefits that led them to seek union protection and power. Members of Nazareth United Professionals credited support from the broader labor community as essential in their fight for recognition. NYSUT is continuing to zero in on higher education as an organizing focus in 2026.

Contract wins

After months of contract negotiations and 8,000 grievances, nurses at NYU Langone Hospital–Brooklyn successfully ratified a new two-year contract with the hospital just one day before their contract was set to expire, averting the strike that was scheduled to begin two days later. UFT Vice President Anne Goldman, head of the Federation of Nurses/UFT, said the new contract focuses on appropriate staffing for nurses to function optimally and provide quality patient care as well as competitive salaries to recognize the exceptional staff.

Several locals from around the state won paid parental leave in their contracts, including the Ogdensburg Education Association, the Chateaugay Teachers Association, and the East Williston Teachers Association. Locals negotiating family leave into their contracts is a win-win for staff and administration because it prioritizes families and is expected to be a good recruiting tool to address teacher shortages.

And after launching its first strike in the school’s 100-year history, the Association Representing Teaching Staff at Manhattan School of Music (ARTS-MSM) Precollege Faculty Union signed a five-year agreement that delivered significant improvements to wages and working conditions.

2025 RA Highlights

NYSUT delegates passed dozens of resolutions over the course of the 2025 Representative Assembly in Rochester, including a resolution stating that “One Job Should Be Enough.” The resolution is focused on School-Related Professionals and asserts that every job deserves to be paid a living wage.

Each day brought new highlights for delegates to see. From new locals speaking to the RA for the first time, to teachers standing up for their students, to the work NYSUT has done on distraction-free schools, social justice and it was a celebration of the work the union has done over the past year. We also honored several award winners, heard from a number of guest speakers, and set up NYSUT’s online store in-person for the first time.

School Visits

This year, NYSUT officers visited nearly 100 school districts in every corner of the state. To effectively represent our members, we need to see and hear from them firsthand—their challenges, their successes, and the great things happening in New York's public schools every day.

These visits directly shape NYSUT's priorities. Hearing from members and students is why we pushed for distraction-free schools, increased funding for CTE and BOCES programs, stronger health and safety protections, and so much more.

More than anything, seeing NYSUT members at work—talented, experienced and passionate professionals—is the best reminder of why this work matters: to protect your professions and advocate for our students.

State Fair

NYSUT unveiled a new booth and location at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse this summer. We brought our updated NYSUT store where many NYSUT members were able to grab some union merch before returning to school.

Of course, the best part about the Fair is getting to meet and talk to so many NYSUT members from all across the state.

Defending our students

In March, when three students and their mother were taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement after a raid on a dairy farm in Sackets Harbor, NYSUT stepped up. Working with the Sackets Harbor Teachers Association, New York Immigration Coalition, and local political groups, the NYSUT North Country Regional Office, NYSUT Headquarters and Social Justice Department helped the SHTA respond to an unfolding crisis.

The SHTA held an event for the students and their mother, supporting the school community, that was widely covered by local and national media, and NYSUT Social Justice coordinated with the AFT to expedite a delivery of books on kindness and different cultures to hand out at the event. Due to local pressure and media attention, after spending time in an ICE detention center in Texas, the students and their mother were returned to the community.

Conferences

A strong union is built from the ground up and throughout the year, NYSUT members came together at conferences designed to educate, connect and cultivate the next generation of union leaders.

Gatherings like the SRP Leadership Conference, Community College Conference and Retiree Conference brought members together to learn from one another and strengthen their locals. The Local Action Project continued to equip activists with skills to organize in their own communities, while our Women's Committee and Civil and Human Rights Committee advanced critical work on key issues. The year was capped off by the second annual Members of Color Conference.

These gatherings are where NYSUT members build relationships, sharpen their skills and return home ready to lead. That grassroots energy powers everything we do.

Making Strides

This October, NYSUT members participated in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks across the state. Together we raised over $642,000 to save lives and fund the future of cancer research, patient support and advocacy. Since 2002, NYSUT has been a flagship sponsor for the ACS Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event. During that time, our members have raised $18.3 million to support groundbreaking breast cancer research, ensure greater access to quality care, influence public policy, and provide critical patient support.

NYSUT Together

The union that plays together... you know the rest.

This year, NYSUT launched our new program of union-organized and sponsored events. In addition to discounted ticket programs for sporting events and entertainment, NYSUT Together Signature Events are specially curated experiences bring our union family together in fun, social experiences.

To kick this off, a couple hundred NYSUT members from all over the state gathered together at Yankee Stadium to watch a game in early September. 2026 will see many more events on the schedule.

Statement from NYSUT President Melinda Person on the Board of Regents’ decision on charter schools in Brentwood and Central Islip

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 11:23:00 -0500

“We applaud the New York State Board of Regents and the State Education Department for declining to approve the proposed charter school applications in Brentwood and Central Islip.

At a time when these districts are working to strengthen their public schools, approving new charter schools would have meant diverting resources away from the very students who need them most.

Public schools are the heart of our communities. They serve every child, no matter their background or needs. The Regents’ decision today recognizes that state law for new charter schools requires findings of community support and likely educational benefit, and that approving applications without clear evidence of these elements only undermines our mission to New York’s students.

It sends a clear message: Education department leaders are committed to strengthening public education, not weakening it.”

Background: In October, SUNY’s Charter Schools Committee approved applications for The Academy Charter School Brentwood Elementary, The Academy Charter School Brentwood Middle, and The Academy Charter School Central Islip Regional High and sent them to SED for approval.

Today, SED’s Board of Regents declined to approve the applications, “based on significant community opposition to the proposed schools which SUNY has not adequately addressed, and the inability to make the required findings that granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of section twenty-eight hundred fifty of Article 56 of the Education Law.”

The action will send the proposed charter applications back to SUNY with comments, allowing SUNY and the applicants to modify the proposals for resubmission.

NYSUT Together

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 11:45:00 -0500

We're excited to introduce NYSUT Together, our new program that gives back to educators with exclusive discounts on sports, theater, and entertainment across New York state, plus specially curated signature events. These experiences bring our union family together – creating opportunities to relax, recharge, and build the connections that sustain us through challenges and amplify our collective voice.

Learn more about this program and view upcoming events.

A space where members are seen, heard

Clarisse Banks — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 15:03:00 -0500

From beginning to end, the second annual NYSUT Members of Color Conference was a vibe. #IYKYK.

More than 400 NYSUT members from across the state convened under the theme, “Reclaiming Our Joy: Building Power Through Hope.”

“Joy is resistance. Hope is our strategy. Power is the result,” declared NYSUT Board member LeRoy Barr, United Federation of Teachers secretary, who served as host for the conference. “As union members of color, we know what it means to carry a lot. We carry our work, our families; we carry our histories. Many days we carry the weight of systems that were never designed with us in mind.”

The conference, held Dec. 6–7 in Albany, was part of the union’s Members of Color Affinity and Action initiative and sponsored by the NYSUT Many Threads, One Fabric program. NYSUT Secretary-Treasurer J. Philippe Abraham noted the conference was taking place just after the 70th anniversary of Rosa Parks’ historic arrest.

“She refused to give up her seat and, in doing so, changed the direction of a nation. Rosa Parks didn’t just sit. She stood for all of us and sparked a movement ... 70 years later, we’re still fighting,” Abraham said.

“People of color are still under attack. Our students and our identities are under attack. Education itself, the profession we dedicate our lives to is being pulled into political warfare. They’re banning books, censoring truth, devaluing educators, and undermining the right of every child to learn fully, freely and honestly. And yet, here we stand in community, in purpose and in power.”

The 2025 conference continued themes explored in the inaugural event, including the unique challenges members of color face in the workplace, from navigating white spaces to intersectionality in action, but also shared tools on growing the next generation of teachers of color, engaging in courageous conversations to advance racial and social justice and knowing your rights as a member of color.

While James Taylor, a member of the Rochester Teachers Association, is nearing retirement, he was excited to attend the conference and be in a space amongst like-minded educators who have the same goals for students. “I’m motivated by seeing my former students ... there are a lot of injustices in education, and we need to get rid of them for our kids.”

The conference kicked off with greetings and words of wisdom from a host of speakers including Albany Mayor-Elect Dorcey Applyrs, who thanked educators for the work they do every day.

“I have found that most people in the education space, especially who look like me, you do it because you know our generations behind and ahead depend on us being in the room,” said Applyrs, who will be the first Black mayor in Albany’s history. “Thank you so much for all that you do to mentor, to pour into, to shape the next generation. You all were made for this moment, and you show up because you love and care and our children deserve nothing less.”

NYS AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Terry Melvin encouraged members to stay united for the fight ahead. “NYSUT, I need you to stand up like never before. I need you to be proud of the work you are doing. I need you to stand proud as educators in this state,” Melvin said. “We are unstoppable. We are unbossed. We are unbought. We are unbreakable.”

Other speakers included L. Joy Williams, president of the New York state NAACP; Karla Hernández- Mats, vice president of AFT Florida; and Jessica Tang, president of AFT Massachusetts. Conference attendees also had plenty of time for networking and building connections with colleagues from across the state.

“It’s no secret that our country is going through some difficult times. Working people, immigrants and people of color are under attack. I’m really proud of who NYSUT is in this moment in our history,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person, noting that while the union certainly exists to ensure working people have access to strong benefits, fair wages and healthcare, it is also much more. “Who we are is a moral and democratic anchor for this country. I’m proud to say that we stand for the simple but radical notion that every person deserves opportunity, dignity and a voice.”

Closing keynote speaker Stacy Davis Gates, president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers and Chicago Teachers Union, fired up attendees and encouraged them to prepare for the fights ahead.

“Create the capacity ... to renegotiate a social contract that sees all of us. And you do that by picking fights,” Davis Gates said. “You pick them in the Legislature; you pick them in your workplace when you fight for your raise and your benefits. ... And you can fight for the capacity of your union to undergird the common good in this country and in your local.”

“In this moment we are the only ones missing from the story of how we tell our history, stake your claim to this history being told forward and let’s save ourselves.”

To learn more about NYSUT’s social justice work, visit nysut.org/MOCAA.

Photo Gallery

BOCES find promise in new STEPS Plans: Districts replace outdated APPR system

Molly Belmont — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:11:00 -0500

Not all STEPS Plans are the same, and locals say that’s the beauty of these new performance evaluation tools. It's a welcome change from the old one-size-fits-all APPR model, and that’s especially welcome at BOCES, where their programs are as diverse as their student populations.

“We have CTE programming, and we have our NYSAA students as well as our exceptional education students, and then we’ve got a population of alternative education students, so with a BOCES, while there’s a lot of similarities to traditional classrooms, there are some stark differences, too,” said Donna Walters, president of the Erie 1 Professional Education Association.

NYSUT helped get the APPR system fixed in June of 2024 after years of advocacy, and locals began creating new performance evaluation plans or Standards-Based Educator Evaluation and Professional Support System Plans almost as soon as the state issued guidance in March of 2025.

Walters, who chairs the BOCES Leadership Council and serves on NYSUT’s Board of Directors, said the new STEPS Plans promise better results for BOCES. “We were thrilled when the new model was announced,” she said.

Under the old APPR system, administrators were often tasked with evaluating BOCES educators in settings they were unfamiliar with, and that made it hard to support them in a meaningful way.

For Tech Valley High School, a regional high school operated by the Capital Region BOCES and Questar III BOCES, finding independent evaluators that understand their unique environment has always been a challenge, said Andrew Betor, president of the Tech Valley High School Association.

“Our focus is project-based learning so that’s a different kind of classroom. It could appear less organized. It's definitely a little louder because kids are collaborating and moving around the room,” said Betor.

With STEPS, Betor said they can use more appropriate evaluation tools.

Betor said it’s early in the process, and the local is still weighing all their options, but fair observations continue to be emphasized. “I think at this point, we are leaning toward not having an independent evaluator and kind of relying on some of the other models,” Betor said.

“We were overjoyed by the news that APPR is getting fixed,” said Joal Bova, president of the Rensselaer-Columbia-Greene BOCES Teachers Association. “The system was just so cumbersome and coming up with a measure that worked for everyone was impossible.”

APPR relied too heavily on student testing, which doesn’t accurately capture student progress at Questar III BOCES, which has facilities in four counties and caters to multiple populations. For instance, under the old approach, CTE students received a group score, which meant that teachers were being evaluated based on instruction they may not have even delivered, Bova said. Also, some classes are very small — sometimes just six students to a classroom — and so if there are absences or a student is having a bad day, it significantly skewed the results, he said.

“We want to streamline the process, so it works better for teachers and principals, and we want to take student test scores out of the equation,” said Bova.

The old APPR system also relied heavily on student test scores as a performance indicator, and that was complicated for BOCES educators.

“The part that was based on student performance became very problematic because of the vast number of different programs that we offer,” said Deborah Hillburn, president of the Orleans-Niagara BOCES Teachers Association. “It was just overtesting a lot of our population.”

Under the new STEPS Plans, Hillburn said, evaluation tools will be based on the individual needs within their buildings.

“We are excited about the new opportunity here to be able to make decisions at the local level,” she said.

Hillburn said they want to more explicitly tie evaluations to targeted support for new members, to increase effectiveness and improve retention as well as student outcomes.

According to preliminary plans, the Orleans-Niagara BOCES STEPS Plan could include annual performance reviews for untenured staff while tenured staff would be subject to formal observations every three years, and in-between years they will get to choose from a menu of different evaluation tools, to demonstrate growth as educators and highlight different areas of their practice that may not be seen in a traditional observation, Hillburn said.

“It was really our belief that if we invest time into the teachers in their untenured years, and we make sure we're establishing a better system to support them, then we can extend the observations needed for tenured staff,” said Hillburn.

At Erie 1 BOCES, Walters said they are considering adopting a tiered cycle of performance reviews, starting with annual reviews until members reach tenure and then every three years, eventually ending with reviews every five years. She and her members are also pushing for educators to have their choice of performance evaluation tools, based on the most popular results of a member survey. This would be coupled with regular goal-setting with an administrator, an initiative supported by the district.

“Everybody's got their comfort level, and so in an effort to be supportive of everybody and improve everybody as an educator, we'd like to give people the option to be evaluated and supported in a way that's comfortable for them,” Walters said.

Both Hillburn and Walters hope to have their plans finalized soon, so they can begin implementing them for the 2026–27 school year.

“We would like to do away with APPR as soon as possible,” Walters said. “We do not feel the need to drag this out for the next seven years.”

East Williston TA secures parental leave for members

Molly Belmont — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:09:00 -0500

With the ratification of their latest contract, the East Williston Teachers Association achieved a major step forward for members and their families, securing 20 days of paid parental leave for all new parents, regardless of tenure status.

“This provision reflects a shared vision between the union and administration, one centered on fairness, family, and the understanding that strong schools depend on educators who feel supported both personally and professionally,” said East Williston TA President Ron Roaldsen.

“It felt like a big success here on Long Island,” said Roaldsen. “It's been a national issue, but we don't always see the advancements that we'd like to see nationally. So, we were willing to take it on locally.”

Previously, only tenured teachers in East Williston had access to a 60-day medical leave bank for serious health events. The bank renewed annually and did not accumulate, leaving untenured teachers without comparable support and often relying on unpaid leave.

While adoptive parents received 20 days of paid leave, biological parents did not. Additionally, only mothers could use the medical leave bank after childbirth, creating unequal treatment among new parents. “A father could use 20 days for an adoption,” Roaldsen said, “but not when his own child was born.”

While East Williston is not the first district on Long Island to achieve some form of paid parental leave, Roaldsen said they are definitely hopeful to see it become more common.

“I approach it from a standpoint of fairness, really,” Roaldsen said. “Why are men less likely to have to take time? And why are women the only ones that are expected to come back from maternity leave and work the rest of the school year without any sick time?”

In the new contract, both tenured and untenured teachers have access to a leave bank. Tenured teachers start with a bank of 60 days, which can be used for any FMLA-qualifying event, as well as 12 sick days and four personal days per year. They can accumulate up to 180 additional days over the course of their career. Untenured teachers start with a bank of 10 days for FMLA-qualifying events, as well as 10 sick days and four personal days. On top of that, all new parents qualify for 20 days of parental leave or “bonding time” regardless of their tenure status.

The result is a fairer, more equitable contract that prioritizes families and recognizes the need for a healthy work-life balance, Roaldsen said.

The updated policy is expected to be a good recruiting tool for the district and resolves dilemmas administration had with the old structure of renewing sick leave annually, Roaldsen said.

“As we negotiated our contract, it was clear that both sides had a vested interest in it,” Roaldsen said. “Both sides saw that it could be a positive change for our community.”

New York schools and campuses need clean-energy investment

Melinda Person — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 12:05:00 -0500

This op-ed from NYSUT President Melinda Person originally ran in Times Union on Dec 4, 2025: Commentary: New York schools and campuses need clean-energy investment

Many school and university buildings are too old for the energy transition. A Carbon Free and Healthy Schools Bond Act would help districts make upgrades.

New York’s students walk into school buildings every morning with big dreams. But too many of those buildings across every region of the state are simply not built for the realities of today — or the climate of tomorrow.

If we’re serious about student health, academic success and meeting New York’s clean-energy goals, we need a statewide investment that matches the scope of the challenge. A Carbon Free and Healthy Schools Bond Act is that investment.

According to state facilities data, the average school building in New York was already over 50 years old as of 2005. Many were constructed in the 1950s through the 1970s, long before modern ventilation standards, reliable cooling or energy-efficient design. National data tells a similar story: The average U.S. instructional school building is now 49 years old, with 38% built before 1970.

When buildings are this old, they weren’t designed for the electrical loads needed for solar power, clean-energy systems or modern filtration. We are asking mid-20th-century facilities to meet 21st-century climate and learning demands. It will not work without major capital investment.

Clean air, stable temperatures and reliable heating and cooling are not luxuries; they are basic conditions for learning. A Carbon Free and Healthy Schools Bond Act would allow districts to make the kinds of long-term energy and health upgrades students and educators desperately need: modern ventilation, healthier air, updated heating and cooling, new electrical systems, solar power installations and the infrastructure required for electric school buses.

Solar is especially powerful. Schools are among the most effective sites in New York for solar energy generation, dramatically reducing operating costs and freeing up local funds for classrooms and student support.

Our public colleges face the same pressures. SUNY’s 2,800 buildings carry a deferred maintenance backlog of roughly $10 billion that is growing by $600 million to $700 million each year. A bond act that includes SUNY and CUNY recognizes that climate leadership and educational excellence are inseparable, and that New York’s higher education system cannot prepare the workforce of tomorrow in buildings built for the last century.

School districts and colleges want to modernize their buildings, cut energy use, and install solar; they just cannot shoulder these costs alone. Many lack access to the engineering, planning and technical support needed for comprehensive decarbonization plans. A Carbon Free and Healthy Schools Bond Act would provide grants, capital funding, technical assistance and expert advisers to help districts and campuses, ensuring that high-need and rural communities benefit just as much as wealthier ones.

And every clean-energy upgrade, solar installation, and bus-charging project is a jobs project. A bond act can ensure that the transition to carbon-free schools and campuses strengthens apprenticeship pathways, supports local economies and creates thousands of good union jobs across the state.

Funding for the transition to electric school buses is equally urgent. New York’s mandate for 100% zero-emission buses by 2035 was an ambitious move, but the upfront costs are enormous. A bond act would help districts purchase buses, build charging infrastructure, integrate solar-powered depots and reduce long-term transportation costs. This is about climate — but it is also about the air children breathe every morning and afternoon at the curb in front of their school.

A Carbon Free and Healthy Schools Bond Act is more than a climate measure. It is an education reform, a public-health strategy, an equity commitment and a statewide jobs program. Our students deserve schools and colleges built for their future. It’s time for New York to pass a Carbon Free and Healthy Schools Bond Act and give every student, from kindergarten through college, a safe, modern and sustainable place to learn.

Commemorating 70 Years of Courage: Rosa Parks Anniversary Poster

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 17:20:00 -0500

December 1, 2025, marks the 70th anniversary of Rosa Parks' historic refusal to give up her bus seat — a moment that ignited the Montgomery Bus Boycott and helped launch the modern Civil Rights Movement.

This act of resistance transformed a seamstress into an icon and elevated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to national prominence as a civil rights leader. The year-long boycott that followed proved that organized, peaceful protest could dismantle systemic injustice and change the course of American history.

To honor this milestone anniversary, NYSUT is proud to offer this commemorative poster celebrating Rosa Parks' enduring legacy. Her courage reminds us that one person's stand against injustice can inspire a movement that changes the world.

This poster is available free to NYSUT members in limited quantities and can be downloaded at nysut.org/publications.

We're so thankful for you!

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 12:32:00 -0500

Dear NYSUT Family:

As we head into Thanksgiving — and above anything else — I want to simply say: Thank you.

In my travels across the state this year, from Long Island to Buffalo and everywhere in between, I’ve met so many of you who show up every single day with compassion, creativity and a fierce commitment to your students. I carry your stories with me.

I think about the educator who keeps snacks in her desk because no child can learn on an empty stomach. The bus driver who knows every kid’s favorite song. The school counselor who helps a student see a future they didn’t think was possible. The professors and college staff who refuse to let funding cuts define the limits of opportunity.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been especially moved by educators organizing food drives, stocking fridges, delivering meals and making sure families have what they need. Across New York, your compassion has been a lifeline.

You are the heart of our public schools and colleges, and I’m deeply grateful for you.

Incredible educators have shaped my life — my own teachers, mentors, colleagues and now the thousands of you I meet across the state. You constantly remind me why public education is worth fighting for and why this community is so special.

I hope that this holiday gives you a chance to breathe, laugh, rest and be with the people who mean the most to you. You deserve that and more.

Wishing you and your families a peaceful and joyful Thanksgiving.

In solidarity and with gratitude,

Melinda Person
NYSUT President

Celebrating Our SRPs: Highlights from Recognition Day

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 07:26:00 -0500

SRPs proclaim that One Job Should Be Enough

Molly Belmont — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 09:32:00 -0500

School-Related Professionals from across the state gathered in early November to demand a living wage and learn how to win victories at the negotiating table and the ballot box.

"One Job Should Be Enough” was the theme of this year’s NYSUT School-Related Professionals Leadership Conference and speaker after speaker underscored the fundamental problem: our members’ paychecks don’t cover New York’s cost of living.

“We recognize how serious this moment is for us to seize upon,” said Second Vice President Ron Gross. “We have kicked off our new One Job Should Be Enough campaign and everyone is all in.” The conference welcomed 250 participants from 57 different locals, including 61 first timers, and Gross said the energy around the campaign was unmistakable. “All of our members are really excited.”

During the opening session, Gross and the room full of attendees called for change, chanting “One job should be enough,” their voices thundering through the Albany Hilton.

“One job should be enough, yet we know the reality facing too many of our members across this nation, workers who dedicate 40, 50 and more hours a week, still cannot afford to make ends meet,” said Karen McLean, NYSUT SRP Advisory Committee chair and treasurer of the Herricks Teachers Association.

Workers are forced to take on second and third jobs, rely on public assistance and live in temporary housing — even as they do this country’s most important work: raise America’s children.

“The system has tilted so far out of balance that a full-time job may no longer guarantee stability, much less dignity,” McLean said.

Members agreed.

Lisa Bender, an aide at Frontier Middle School and member of Frontier Central Employees Association, said that many of her colleagues work more than one job, herself included. “I have three jobs,” Bender said. “I think for everyone having more than one job has become the norm.” Many of the aides at Frontier Central schools have second jobs as waitresses and home health aides, she said.

In addition to the loss of dignity and the lack of family time, inadequate compensation also leads to retention issues, Bender said. “We need help to make them stronger and able to stay. We don’t want them to leave because of money when we know they love what they do,” she said.

“SRPs are probably some of the hardest working employees in education, but they are also some of the lowest paid employees,” said Mark Warner, a teaching assistant and president of the Syracuse Teachers Association – Unit 8, Assistants, Monitors, Attendants.

Warner said he has many members who work second jobs, and several who go into third shifts as Uber drivers. “What we really need to do is fund education at the federal and state level. We need the billionaires to pay their fair share,” Warner said. “It costs money to educate people, and we need that support.”

Kim McEvoy, treasurer for Rondout Valley Federation of Teachers and SRPs and SRP At-large director on the NYSUT Board, first introduced the One Job Should Be Enough resolution at last year’s Representative Assembly, explaining at the time that SRPs deserve a wage that affords dignity and the necessities of life.

“School-Related Professionals and healthcare workers, we work hard. We love what we do and we’re the backbone of our schools, and we need to be recognized for our value,” McEvoy said. She added that seeing the resolution become the centerpiece of this year’s SRP conference was intensely rewarding. “It feels pretty amazing to see all of us come together across the state and unite on this issue.”

During her address at the SRP conference, NYSUT President Melinda Person honored the struggles of SRPs and their contribution to our democracy. “Every time you fight for a contract, a living wage, for people to pay their fair share of taxes, for inclusive education and fight to make sure that people keep saying D-E-I ... Every time we fight for these things, we're fighting for the kind of country that we want to be, the kind of country we want to leave to our children and grandchildren,” Person said.

James Chaney, a teaching assistant and member of the Albany Public School United Employees and finalist for this year’s national Recognizing Inspiring School Employees Award, was the keynote speaker.

“When you get home and you look at that paycheck ... you realize it's not where it needs to be,” Chaney said, noting that educators are chronically underpaid and undervalued, despite their enduring legacy.

Conference workshops tackled practical topics from school safety to toileting and blended AED and CPR certification and included numerous opportunities to earn Continuing Teacher and Leader Education hours. The agenda also included topics like “Reversing Runaway Inequality,” “Why School Board Elections Matter” and a two-part “Contract Campaign Primer” to help local leaders launch effective campaigns around their contract proposals and build support among members and administration.

SRPs were also given the new “One Job Should Be Enough” toolkit, which shows locals how to use the latest data, personal stories and organizing strategies to successfully negotiate a stronger contract for their members. The toolkit is complete with success stories from other locals who have won significant wage increases and other important gains.

As the toolkit lays out, the crisis is real, but so is the path to victory. At Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES, the OCM BOCES Federation of Teachers scored flat-dollar raises for teaching assistants, amounting to a $10,000 salary increase and added a new tier for longevity payments resulting in another $3,000 jump. To do this, negotiators were able to show salaries at regional competitors and demonstrate the high cost of staff turnover. “We could be brutally honest and say, ‘This is why people are leaving. These are the problems. What can we fix?’” said Tracie Clark, OCM BOCES Federation of Teachers president.

At North Babylon, the North Babylon Teachers Organization: Paraprofessional/Cafeteria Aide Chapter successfully made the case that previous percentage raises weren’t cutting it when it came to recruiting and retaining staff. The unit was able to secure flat pay increases for staff over five years, increase the starting salary by almost $3 an hour, the top salary by $5 an hour, and add new thresholds for longevity payments at 10 and 20 years.

North Babylon Teachers Organization President Lois Emerick emphasized the value of having members that work and live in the community they serve. “I have a long history here, so I can explain why these changes are necessary. I went into negotiations knowing full well what my members needed. I could answer any question that came up and I had the data to back it up,” said Emerick.

Holly Tierney, president of the West Irondequoit Maintenance Employees and Security Employees Organization said she is looking forward to using the toolkit to support her push for a better contract in 2027.

“I actually very much appreciate the toolkit, because I know I'm preaching to my members that one job is enough, but it's not going to come to us without organizing,” said Tierney.

During lunch, the group honored Sandie Carner-Shafran as this year’s recipient of the Not For Ourselves Alone Award and NYSUT SRPs of the Year, United Federation of Teachers Chapter Leader Raul Garcia and Angie Rivera, member of Rochester Association of Paraprofessionals.

As part of the conference, SRPs also raised $3,034 for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer fundraiser and donated more than 400 books to District 21 in Brooklyn.

Community college leaders share successes, challenges, and strategies for the future

Catherine Rizos — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 09:11:00 -0500

With higher education facing headwinds across the country, community college leaders from around New York gathered in Saratoga Springs for NYSUT’s 46th Annual Community College Conference.

This year’s conference, organized under the theme “Preserving the Profession, Preparing for the Future,” addressed some of the serious challenges community colleges and higher education at large are facing, including attacks on academic freedom, significant cuts to research funding at the federal level, and looming state and local budget shortfalls.

Despite those challenges, attendees were appreciative of the opportunity to gather with colleagues and found time to celebrate recent victories, including the addition of new locals to their ranks, and the 31 NYSUT members who were elected or reelected to public office on Election Day.

“It’s a really great opportunity for us to hear what’s happening on each other’s campuses, to provide support and counsel to one another on different issues that we’re experiencing, and to have a sense of community and camaraderie — that’s really the best part of this conference,” said Bethany Gizzi, president of the Monroe Community College Faculty Association.

“There’s always something new to learn,” said Gizzi, providing an apt description of the conference itself and the core aspiration of higher education.

The three-day conference kicked off with a reception honoring Laura Murphy, NYSUT’s Higher Education Member of the Year, a history professor and president of Dutchess Community College United Educators. Murphy, who presented a workshop on labor history, was instrumental in her local’s re-affiliation with NYSUT after many years as an independent union.

During opening remarks, NYSUT Executive Vice President Jaime Ciffone highlighted the growth and increasing strength of NYSUT’s community college locals, noting that with the addition of the Dutchess Community College local in 2024 and the planned affiliation of Clinton Community College’s union in the coming year, all but two of New York’s 30 community college campus unions will be affiliated with NYSUT.

“We’re growing our power at the local level,” said Ciffone.

A key part of the conference brought members and local presidents together to use their collective voice in support of the so-called “trustees bill,” which would amend state education law to require each community college board of trustees to add one faculty or staff member, who would be elected “by and from among the faculty and staff of the college.” Conference attendees wrote letters to Governor Hochul, urging her to sign the bill.

The SUNY Board of Trustees was recently expanded to include a similar representative seat for President of the University Faculty Senate as a non-voting, ex-officio member, a change that has improved collaboration between trustees, administrators, and faculty in their collective work to support the SUNY mission. Including community college faculty/staff on their boards of trustees would be equally beneficial.

Roberta Elins, a member of NYSUT’s Board of Directors and past president of United College Employees – Fashion Institute of Technology, spoke out about the importance of the faculty and staff representation in campus governance. “It is essential that either faculty or staff have a voice on our community college boards,” Elins said. “The governor should absolutely sign the bill.”

“Whether faculty or staff, we have inside knowledge of what happens at our community colleges and it’s important for the other members of our boards to hear our voices,” continued Elins.

The conference provided a wealth of opportunity for attendees to network with colleagues and learn about new ways to use their voices, with an array of sessions on topics including strategies for engaging and mobilizing members, connecting with members of different political perspectives, protecting academic freedom, as well as essential union topics like labor history, Taylor Law and Weingarten Rights, and higher education-specific sessions on community college finances and teaching load for part- and full-time members.

As she welcomed attendees to the conference, NYSUT President Melinda Person spoke to the vitality of community college faculty and staff members and the power they have in being a voice for their students, their colleagues and their communities.

In an age where colleges and universities are being pressured to sign loyalty oaths, and as AI spreads through our economy and education system, labor unions are essential in defense of our shared values. “We have to be vigilant and not allow higher education to be co-opted” by outsiders who want to limit academic freedom, said Person.

Community colleges are engines of learning and opportunity for cities and counties around New York, and we need to ensure that they are protected.

“We must take a stand for the country we want to give to our children and grandchildren,” said Person.

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Statement on SUNY Decision Regarding Leadership of Nassau Community College

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 08:49:00 -0500

NYSUT President Melinda Person released the following statement in support of the SUNY Trustees' disapproval of the presidential appointment proposed by the Nassau Community College Board of Trustees.

“The Board of Trustees’ decision today is a responsible and necessary step toward restoring stability and confidence in Nassau Community College leadership. Visionary, sustainable leadership cannot be built on prolonged interim arrangements.

Students, faculty, and staff deserve a president who is chosen through an open process that reflects the voices of the people who learn and work on this campus every day.

A thorough search rooted in shared governance and campus input will help Nassau Community College fulfill its true potential, rebuild trust and refocus on its core mission."

NYSUT takes action to help New Yorkers feed their families

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 08:34:00 -0500

Right now, more than 3 million New Yorkers who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are facing a food emergency — and the union movement will not stand by while our neighbors go hungry.

That's why NYSUT has joined forces with the NYS AFL-CIO and other labor organizations for Labor Feeds NY: A Week of Action Against Hunger, running Nov. 15—23. At a kickoff press event today at the Regional Food Bank in Albany, NYSUT President Melinda Person joined state AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento and other regional labor leaders to announce the joint program, which will push for union-led food donation programs across the state.

The statewide effort is aimed at helping New Yorkers who are impacted by rising food and living costs, as well as the lingering effects of the longest-ever federal government shutdown that hindered the delivery of SNAP funds.

During this Week of Action, all NYSUT locals and members are encouraged to:

Collect and donate non-perishable food to local pantries and school-based food programs.
Contribute funds to hunger relief organizations making a difference in your community.
Volunteer at soup kitchens, food banks, and community meal sites.

Between rising grocery costs and the disruption of SNAP benefits, your local efforts are especially critical this year. If your local is planning an event, please share details with us so we can amplify your efforts. Use the hashtag #LaborFeedsNY and tag @nysut on social media or send us details and photos of your event to social@nysut.org. We'll be sharing these stories in the coming weeks to highlight the difference you and your members are making in your communities.

"Every act of solidarity, large or small, helps ensure that no family faces an empty table this fall," President Person said at today's announcement. "In New York, feeding our neighbors is what solidarity looks like. This is our union in action."

Many locals are already leading the way. On Long Island, retirees and educators have collected and donated thousands of pounds of food to local food banks. In the Southern Tier, Olean educators hosted a food drive and raised over $1,000 dollars to local food pantries. Downstate, the White Plains Teachers' Association launched a fundraiser to support Feeding Westchester's mission of providing nourishing meals to thousands struggling with food insecurity.

Take a look at some of our locals’ work below!

To learn more about efforts in your region, including a list of events and volunteer opportunities organized by Area Labor Federations and Central Labor Councils, visit nysaflcio.info/laborfeedsny.

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U.S. Army veteran Jeff Harris teaches students how to put their problems in perspective

Molly Belmont — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 12:38:00 -0500

You could say Jeff Harris is adept at dealing with conflict. As a member of the elite Army Rangers, Harris spent the first part of his career being deployed to war zones like Panama, Iraq, and Somalia. “Army Rangers are within 18 hours of any conflict in the world. We are the first ones to show up,” Harris said.

Harris is now enjoying a second career as a teaching assistant and football coach at Solvay High School, but he is still one of the first people to be called in to resolve conflicts, and over the years he’s helped students work through everything from break-ups to bullying.

His military experiences, which spanned over two decades, taught him patience, problem-solving, and how to keep a cool head under pressure, and these are the same skills he tries to pass along to his students, he said.

“I think my military background helped me talk kids down,” said Harris, who is also president of the Solvay School Employees Union. “I built respect because students learned that I respected them, and the respect goes all the way around.”

Like many of his students, studies didn’t come easy for Harris. “I wanted to go to college to play football. I didn’t think about the study part. After my first year, I was like, ‘This is not for me.’” Harris decided to enlist in the U.S. Army in 1986. He was immediately dispatched to Fort Drum where he served as a combat engineer and helped turn the historic base into the new home for the 10th Light Infantry Division, an effort he said he is proud to have been part of.

“We weren’t even a deployable base at that time, so we did a lot of training and got a lot of schools going, and we built it up to what it is now,” said Harris. From there, he became a U.S. Army Ranger and was deployed as part of Desert Shield and Desert Storm, as well as other conflicts. He retired from the army in 2010.

Harris joined the Solvay Union Free School Distric 10 years ago, at the urging of his now-wife, Jennifer Chrysler. Chrysler was a teaching assistant in the small district outside Syracuse and thought he would enjoy working with students.

She was right.

Initially, Harris worked part-time, acting in a school resource officer's capacity and helping bring errant students back to class. The assistant principal quickly recognized that he had a natural rapport with students and brought him on full-time.

Harris knows how to right-size students’ problems. Whether he’s trying to get students to return to class or finish their homework, Harris places a premium on putting things in perspective. “Students need to hear that no matter how bad a day it is, they’re going to get through it,” he said. “I tell them that most of these things, they are temporary troubles, and in four years, they won’t even remember them.”

Harris also advises students to avoid power struggles and tug-of-wars with their classmates. “I always tell them, ‘Don’t pick up the rope.’” He also advises them to seek help from adults on the big issues. Guidance like this has helped many students over the years.

“My biggest joy is seeing a freshman kid who was in trouble all the time, walking across the stage at graduation,” Harris said. “I’ve been here long enough now that I’m seeing kids graduate from college, and that’s very rewarding.”

We thank all veterans especially NYSUT members who have served.

NYSUT Celebrates Members Elected to Serve Their Communities

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 10:48:00 -0500

According to initial analysis of the Nov. 4, 2025 general election results, at least 31 NYSUT members have been elected or reelected to public office. These wins reflect the power of community-driven leadership and the commitment of educators, school staff, and public-service professionals who understand firsthand the needs of students, families and schools.

"This is what happens when working people lead," said NYSUT President Melinda Person. "NYSUT members are proving that public service and community leadership go hand in hand and that our shared values of fairness, opportunity and respect belong at every level of government."

NYSUT member candidates won because their neighbors trust educators to lead. NYSUT members are deeply rooted in their communities, they listen, they serve and they show up. That's what voters responded to: real people with real solutions.

Among the notable victories, former NYSUT member Michael Cashman won a seat in the New York State Assembly in the 115th District following a robust get-out-the-vote effort from NYSUT members in the North Country. In the Hudson Valley, multiple NYSUT-backed candidates won seats in the Orange and Dutchess County Legislatures, including NYSUT Board of Directors member and Washingtonville teacher Sparrow Tobin. In Rochester, NYSUT member Marv Stepherson is on track to win a Monroe County Legislature seat with strong backing from his colleagues at the Monroe Community College Faculty Association.

These victories are part of NYSUT's Pipeline Project, an initiative to recruit, train and support educators in running for public office. These candidates are active community members, parents and neighbors who understand the challenges working families face and they're stepping up to make real change.

These wins show the power of educators leading with purpose. NYSUT will continue building a movement that puts students, families and working people first — in every classroom, every community and every elected office.

Southern Westchester BOCES students in the right place, at the right time

Molly Belmont — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 13:56:00 -0400

Located in Valhalla, the Southern Westchester BOCES Center for Career Services enrolls 851 students from 32 component districts in 20 different CTE programs. With the programs’ curricula informed by the latest industry needs and articulation agreements with 10 different colleges, students who graduate from these programs are ready for bright futures.

Thanks to NYSUT’s ongoing advocacy, last year’s state budget included significant increases in BOCES aid, making it possible for even more students to have access to these increasingly popular programs.

“This is the most significant legislative change for BOCES in three decades,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person at the annual Southern Westchester BOCES Legislative Advocacy Breakfast. “We're going to be able to meet the demand for career and technical education that we haven't been able to. It’s also going to enable us to meet the changing dynamics of public education. When you talk about the future of public education, you can’t not talk about CTE.”

CTE programs like the one at Southern Westchester BOCES are doing double-duty, Person said, helping meet the growing need for an increasingly skilled workforce and meeting the changing needs of today’s students, who are seeking more hands-on learning opportunities based on real-world experiences.

Southern Westchester BOCES is adding two new programs — HVAC and welding — to its extensive list of secondary programs and is expected to move forward with its plans to expand into the White Plains City School District.

“These steps bring us closer to our goal of ensuring that every student, no matter their background or ZIP code, has the chance to explore their passions and build meaningful career pathways,” said Mairead Schuelein, president of the Southern Westchester BOCES Teachers Association.

Seventy-eight percent of the Southern Westchester BOCES students who graduated in 2024 went directly into jobs or college.

New York State Senator Shelley Mayer was impressed by the students’ motivation and enthusiasm for their studies. “A lot of people lose that enthusiasm in high school. BOCES is a way to rekindle that excitement,” Mayer said. “Between the career preparation, and the leadership skills, and the community they find with other students, this is a wonderful model, and we’ve got to replicate it.”

Assemblymember Chris Burdick agreed. “Each time I go to Southern Westchester BOCES, I am newly impressed with the depth and breadth of the offerings,” said Burdick. “There is a misconception that going straight from high school to a four-year college is the only path to success. BOCES allows students to obtain good-paying jobs to support themselves and their families, while leaving the door open to higher education opportunities. Moreover, by offering training programs and promoting vital careers in the trade industries, BOCES is helping to fill the void created by those who are retiring.”

In the construction plumbing program, students’ projects begin as blueprints, which they transform into real rooms, complete with pipes and fixtures, said construction instructor Kurt Boysen, a member of the Southern Westchester BOCES TA. “We learn all the aspects of construction: framing, carpentry, insulation, roofing, the codes, dealing with the environment.”

Boysen has been working at the high school level for five years, teaching students how to work with their hands and operate tools, but when it comes to these projects, the key to success is actually math, comprehending ratio and scale, he said. “We have to understand these things mathematically. I can't stress that enough. The most important knowledge they'll ever have is math,” Boysen said. “Once they get that concept, then they can make the change over.”

In the new HVAC program, instructor Moises Robles is introducing a new crop of high school students to the world of heating, air conditioning and ventilation, and not a moment too soon. According to legislation advanced by Gov. Kathy Hochul last year, all new buildings over seven stories will be required to be all-electric and make use of heat pumps instead of fossil fuels, which is expected to spur additional growth in the HVAC sector.

“These students are coming in at the right time,” said Robles. “They’re in the right place.”

For more CTE stories, visit: https://nysut.cc/CTE.

Photo Gallery

Free NYSUT poster celebrates Native American Heritage Month,
Nov. 1–30

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 13:35:00 -0400

NYSUT celebrates Native American Heritage Month with a new poster honoring Deb Haaland, who became the first Native American Cabinet secretary in 2021 as U.S. Secretary of the Interior. A member of the Pueblo of Laguna, Haaland brought personal experience to an agency with a complex history. The daughter of military veterans, she attended 13 schools before graduating in Albuquerque.

Haaland, a single mother who once relied on food stamps, earned her law degree at the University of New Mexico and ran a small business. She was the first woman elected to the Laguna Development Corporation Board and first Native American woman to lead a state political party.

Inspired by her grandparents’ experiences, Haaland launched the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative and “Road to Healing” tour, leading to President Biden’s 2024 apology for the boarding school system. She also secured over 400 tribal co-stewardship agreements, established the Missing & Murdered Unit, and championed new federal investments in tribal communities.

The NYSUT poster is available for download at nysut.org/publications. Limited print copies are available.

News Feed

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NYS elected leaders and employers sound the alarm: Fix Tier 6 in the budget now

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Take Action!

Civics and Media Literacy: NYSUT asks for support to build democracy-ready citizens

BOCES professionals find targeted resources at NYSUT conference

Event Gallery

NYSUT brings together 15,000 unionists for historic Fix Tier 6 rally

Event Gallery

New NYSUT film confronts childhood poverty in New York

Advocates and Allies: Celebrating School Social Workers

March is Women's History Month Free poster celebrates Jane Goodall’s legacy

UUP marks start of contract negotiations with state

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For SRPs, by SRPs: Union members build peer mentoring programs

Media literacy essential for democracy-ready students

NYSUT, DemocracyReady NY call on Legislature to invest in civic readiness

Making connections for student success

Fighting cancer with friendship

NYSUT files lawsuit challenging SUNY charter approvals

Free NYSUT poster honors Andrew Young

SCHOOL AID RUNS: Your district's proposed funding for the 2026-27 state budget

Comparison Data

Additional Resources

NYSUT statement in opposition to Diamond Charter revision proposal

NYSUT responds to the FY 2027 Executive Budget Proposal

Celebrate our new National Board Certified Teachers!

For NYSUT resources on National Board Certification, visit nysut.org/nbpts.

2025 Newly certified New York state NBCTs

2025 Maintenance of Certification, New York state NBCTs

For NYSUT resources on National Board Certification, visit nysut.org/nbpts.

NYSUT releases ready solutions to strengthen the educator workforce

NYSUT announces endorsements in Feb. 3 special election

New York requires social media companies to put warning labels for youth on their platforms

NYSUT's response to State of the State address

Small districts face pressures to reorganize

NYSUT responds to Hochul’s universal Pre-K proposal

Safer and healthier school buildings

NYSUT’s 2026 Legislative Priorities Preview

Funding Foundation Aid

Fair Share New York

Pushing Back on Private School Vouchers

Expanding Community Schools to Help Fight the Scourge of Child Poverty

Civics Education and Media Literacy

Pushing for Play and Recess Time

Charter School Accountability

Fixing Tier 6

Higher Education & Research Funding

Defending Retiree Healthcare Benefits (IRMAA)

Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Retirees

Addressing the Opioid Crisis

Protecting Students from Vaping

Ongoing Support for CTE Programs

Carbon-Free, Healthy Schools Bond Act

End Receivership

NYSUT Wrapped 2025: The Year in Review

Legislative & Funding Victories

Defending Our Public Schools

The Science of Reading

Fix Tier 6 Rallies

Wins at the Ballot Box

Improving Working and Learning Conditions

Organizing & Contract Wins

2025 RA Highlights

School Visits

State Fair

Defending our students

Conferences

Making Strides

NYSUT Together

Statement from NYSUT President Melinda Person on the Board of Regents’ decision on charter schools in Brentwood and Central Islip

NYSUT Together

A space where members are seen, heard

Photo Gallery

BOCES find promise in new STEPS Plans: Districts replace outdated APPR system

East Williston TA secures parental leave for members

March is Women's History Month
Free poster celebrates Jane Goodall’s legacy

Free NYSUT poster celebrates Native American Heritage Month,
Nov. 1–30