NYSUT STRONG: Inspiration in a Time of Crisis

Thank you to the many hardworking NYSUT members who are rising to meet the challenge of the coronavirus pandemic - and thank you for sharing your stories.

We are union. We are strong. #NYSUTStrong!

How to Help: NYSUT Disaster Relief Fund | Find Your Local Food Bank | Guidance on PPE Donations

Featured Stories

Across New York State, NYSUT members are rising to meet the challenge of the coronavirus pandemic. These are your stories.
A special thank you from the NYS Teacher of the Year

"But what college or professional-development course could have ever prepared us for what we are dealing with right now?" asks NYS Teacher of the Year Rachel Murat. "And yet, we are rising to the challenge and beyond."
SPOTLIGHT: SRP members deliver in Alden

In the wake of the Alden Central School District’s emergency closing last week, district officials needed to connect their nearly 1,700 students with the school supplies they needed for at-home study. They devised a unique solution.
Thank Our #HealthCareHeroes

They have been on the front lines since the start of this crisis, selflessly, courageously, risking their own health to care for our children, our loved ones, for us. The least we can do is thank them. Here's how.
Twitter Stories

Thank you for sharing your stories on Twitter! Check out the latest offerings or visit our Twitter page to see the full archive. Keep those tweets coming - and don't forget to tag @nysut!
In Memoriam

We mourn and celebrate those NYSUT members lost as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Share Your Story

Use our online form to tell us how you and your union are supporting students and the community in this time of crisis.

Laura Maldonado, RN wound care specialist.

The next line of defense: Visiting nurses provide critical post-care

Visiting nurses in Westchester took on their first coronavirus patients on Monday, traveling to monitor 33 new patients just released from hospitals and rehabilitation centers.

Bellevue Hospital ICU nurse Steven Trust, an adjunct instructor at Kingsborough, delivered much needed donations of personal protective gear. Photo provided.

Kingsborough CC lab techs donate much-needed protective gear

With protective gear running low for front-line health care workers, Kingsborough Community College lab technicians donated hundreds of pairs of gloves, goggles, lab coats and hospital grade disinfectants and hand washes for Bellevue Hospital workers.

Long Islanders dig deep for virtual food bank

When organizers set up a virtual food bank to help needy Long Island families, their initial goal was collecting 2,000 pounds of food. The online site went live mid-afternoon Friday, and within just a couple of hours, generous donors nearly doubled that goal - and by Wednesday, donations topped 15,000 pounds.

Institute offers teens a safe space online to navigate the new normal

North Colonie Teachers Association member Thea MacFawn launched the "We Can Together" website as a collection of resources, news stories, and contributions from teens, school psychologists, social workers, teachers and other experts. Submissions are welcome.

BOCES counselors stay close while socially distancing

When a student’s 16th birthday fell during the coronavirus shutdown, Laurie Hall wanted to do something to make it special. Using Google Meet to invite staff and a few friends, she threw a virtual birthday bash complete with signs and a mini slide show.

NYSUT health care workers are on the front lines of a pandemic

As the coronavirus attacks more and more people, health care is an ever-changing landscape. Doctors, nurses, first responders, virus test administrators, and health care staff are all working the front lines, often without enough personal protective equipment.

For these NYSUT members, remote learning is all in the family

“My daughter is teaching 140 students online and providing daycare for the grandkids, and I’m going out of my mind trying to teach six different classes fully online,” said UUP member Doug Cody. “But that’s nothing compared to what others, the health care providers and first responders on the front line, are going through. It's probably the craziest time in our lives.”

School choirs combine for virtual ‘Hallelujah’

Two teachers are making beautiful music, digitally bringing together their high school students to create a virtual choir. The result is a powerful rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” in a video that has drawn more than 60,000 online views and rave reviews.

Join our #NYSUTchat on Twitter

In these scary times, it’s important for us all to support and lean on each other. In that spirit, NYSUT Executive Vice President Jolene DiBrango will be hosting a second one-hour #NYSUTchat at 7 p.m. Sunday on Twitter.

Technology educators across the state helping to close PPE gaps

In direct response to the shortage of personal protective equipment for medical professionals, crews at different SUNY campuses and K–12 schools are creating hospital-approved face shields using 3D printers and assembled pieces.

NYSUT urges donations to union’s Disaster Relief Fund to support overwhelmed health care workers

NYSUT is making an urgent appeal to its members to donate to the union’s Disaster Relief Fund — the proceeds from which will go toward the purchase of personal protective equipment, food and other critical items for health care workers throughout the Empire State.