Set against  months of messaging that schools are failing, (despite much evidence that New York schools fare very well against those in other states) comes five days to appreciate teachers. Here’s an interesting blog post about Teacher Appreciation Week that gives a little bit on the history and how the effort began with a little [...]

We are now 11 days until most school districts submit their 2012-13 budgets to voters. The mainstream media is finally putting out more information about the real impact of the tax cap. Here’s one article about what the cap will do to a number of districts south of Kingston and north of Manhattan. Here’s a [...]

Standing at the Occupy Albany May 1 rally yesterday near some new green grass, NYSUT Executive Vice President Andy Pallotta was asked by a local reporter what drew him to the event. The Occupy movement, he said, focuses on economic and social justice. “These are our issues, too.” More than 30,000 teachers, bus drivers, and [...]

Congratulations to Martin Messner, president of the Schoharie Teachers Association, and Joe Satriano, a retiree of the Roslyn Teachers Association, for being named 2012 Everyday Heroes by the American Federation of Teachers. By clicking on that link you can read their stories, and also the stories of four others who won from locals across America. [...]

From “Reclaim the Dream” to NYSUT award winners to the recent school budget television ad, they’re all here. More videos to come.

Two members of the NYSUT Board of Directors passed away earlier this year. Both were from Long Island and NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi shared with RA delegates personal recollections of Jeff Rozran and Judith Rudman. “Anyone who ever walked along the boardwalk at Sunken Meadow is certain to have met Jeff and his wife, Luanne, [...]

It’s a time to pay respect to sisters and brothers in New York who died on the job this year — more than 100, with their stories sent out on the wings of time. Perhaps you knew, or heard of, the heavy equipment operator, the bridge inspector, the roofer, the loggers, the farmer, the snowmaker, [...]

Thanks to our Southern Tier readers – especially Corning Teachers Association President Richard Gallant – for alerting us to the sad news that the Corning-Painted Post schools school board had to cut many electives and non-mandated courses to stay within their tax levy cap. This link does not have many details, but here’s the district’s [...]

I was recently visiting some friends, and despite the fact that there were other kids in the same room, a young boy sat there for several hours playing some game on his hand-held electronic device. When I tried to speak with him, he looked at me like a zombie without even answering a simple question. [...]

Next week a number of Long Island locals, most of them in Nassau county, are coordinating a number of events to draw attention to the great work of students and teachers in their schools. From April 29 through May 5, members will hand out information bulletins, make phone calls, and sponsor sports nights as well [...]