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New Educator To-Do List

Here are some items to take care of right away and others that will help you prioritize and stay on track. 

Your union rights and benefits

  • You should receive your program for next year by the end of the school year. If you are a probationary teacher, it's important that you have an assignment in your license area; your tenure could be delayed if you teach out of license. You are entitled to one preparation period and a duty-free lunch period. You should be scheduled for no more than three consecutive teaching periods and four consecutive working assignments (including professional activites) in a day. Speak to your chapter leader if you have concerns about whether your program follows contractual guidelines. Reorganization grievances must be filed within two days of learning of your program assignment.
  • It’s important that the UFT have your up-to-date mailing address, email address and phone number so you receive important information about your union rights and benefits. You can update your address online in the “My Account” tab or in the UFT Member Hub. If you need assistance, call the UFT at 212-331-6311.
  • If you or your partner is about to give birth or you are planning to adopt or foster, you can attend one of the union's free virtual Pathways to Parenthood workshops to learn about your parental leave benefits as a UFT member. 
  • If you’re having any nagging joint pain, now is the time to address it. The UFT Welfare Fund’s partnership with the Hospital for Special Surgery offers members enrolled in the UFT Welfare Fund and their eligible dependents guided access to expert care and services at the country’s No. 1 orthopedic hospital. 

Teacher evaluation

Certification

  • Make sure you have completed your updated and mandatory child abuse identification workshop. It would be listed as “Child Abuse and Identification (New Program)” in your TEACH account. You can complete the workshop through the state Office of Children and Family Services at www.bit.ly/nys-mandated-reporter or through the UFT at www.uft.org/child-abuse. For those members who have applied or will soon for any certifications, note that certifications will not be issued without proof of taking the workshop.

Miscellaneous

  • If you’re thinking about transferring to another school, the Open Market Transfer system, which allows you to apply for a position at another school is open through Aug. 7. Visit the Open Market Transfer page on the DOE’s Department of Human Resources website to fill out an application and search for open positions. 
  • If you plan to resign from the DOE effective the first day of school in the 2025–26 school year, you must give 30 calendar days' notice by submitting a letter of resignation. According to the DOE, any employees who resign without providing 30 calendar days' notice will be given a problem code in their personnel file that will flag them for review should they wish to return to teaching in the future.
  • Connect with your union by participating in Union Power Points, a new program that encourages members to participate in the life of the union beyond their particular schools and worksites. It's a chance to find interesting activities and events, connect with other members and earn points for staying involved.  Go to the UFT Member Hub to get started.
  • Summer is a great time to develop a mindfulness and meditation practice to help you manage the stressors of the profession. The Calm app, which is free for UFT members, features guided meditation, calming sounds, ambient music and sleep stories, as well as resources specifically designed for educators.