s the legislative season kicks into high gear in Albany, NYSUT is once again fighting to ensure that our students, educators and communities get the resources they need to succeed in and out of the classroom.

“Our significant victories last year were only possible through the tireless advocacy of our members to their elected representatives,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person. “Once again, we face challenges with this year’s legislative session, but also significant opportunities. Together, we can seize those opportunities and significantly improve learning environments for our students, make sure no child goes hungry through the school day and ensure that our educators are properly cared for as they care for our students.”

Gov. Hochul’s executive budget proposal included a number of NYSUT initiatives, namely fully funding school meals for every child, restricting cellphones in classrooms and increasing school aid.

Proposing $340 million to fund universal free school meals for all districts that participate in the national school meal program will mean that every student will have access to free breakfast and lunch regardless of their family income. (See page 7.)

aria Gonzalez has been a school psychologist for Rochester City Schools for more than two decades, and she’s seen first-hand the damage cellphones have had on her students. “I was there way before the pandemic, and I saw the incredible shift in the social skills of students,” said Gonzalez, Rochester Teachers Association. “The level of impulsivity now that I see, was not seen before. It’s just constantly reacting, reacting, reacting, with no pause for anything.”

Gonzalez was one of a host of educators and administrators who met as part of Rochester Disconnected, the first in a series of regional conferences designed to explore the impact of cellphones, social media and technology on children and learning. The events, which also took place in Syracuse, Plattsburgh, Western New York, and on Long Island, highlighted the common concerns educators have about cellphones in school.

Educators and health professionals agreed that there is a causal relationship between social media and the mental health crisis among students.

Dr. Dennis Kuo, a pediatrician who serves as chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at the University of Rochester says the number of doctor visits related to social media is unprecedented.

“I’ve been in practice 25 years, and this is a big issue in the field of pediatrics. The shift in what we do in the pediatrics field has been immense,” Kuo said.

very day, public school students are issued many of the supplies they need to succeed at school, including laptops, textbooks, lockers and lab equipment, but many education advocates are saying one crucial school supply is still missing: lunch.

“I was just looking at all the kids with their Chromebooks out, and I thought, ‘We all agreed that was important. Why can’t we agree that food is important?’ Why can’t we just give all our kids free lunch?” asked Regina McLean, president of the Port Washington Teachers Association.

That’s exactly what would happen if Gov. Kathy Hochul’s new universal meals proposal is approved by the Legislature this year. The initiative, part of Hochul’s executive budget, would cover school meals for New York’s 2.7 million students, and finish the work that was started two years prior.

In 2023, after years of successful advocacy by NYSUT and others, the USDA expanded the Community Eligibility Provision, giving 2.37 million New York children access to free school meals. However, the federal expansion project and accompanying state subsidies left nearly 300,000 students without. The governor’s proposal would close the gap, something hunger advocates say is imperative.

he city of Rochester, New York has a rich history as the birthplace of the modern women’s rights movement, as a home to famous civil rights champions Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony, and as the last leg of the Underground Railroad. May 2–3, delegates from acround the state will experience some of the city’s remarkable culture and history as they head to the Flower City for the 2025 NYSUT Representative Assembly.

“From the rich history of progress and activism to the world-class arts, music, and culture, Rochester is the perfect place for our NYSUT delegates to gather, connect, and celebrate our movement,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person. “Get ready for an unforgettable convention filled with inspiration, camaraderie, and plenty of fun in a city built on innovation and change!”

During the RA, NYSUT’s policymaking convention, officers will report on their progress in implementing goals from last year.

RA delegates will consider nearly 50 resolutions directing the union’s course on education, legislative priorities, healthcare and workplace safety, civil and human rights and retirement issues.

YSUT closed out the union’s recognition of Black History Month with the launch of “Truth Talks,” a dynamic virtual series dedicated to raising historical awareness. The series seeks to amplify the contributions of diverse communities that have been overlooked in traditional narratives.

“Black History Month is not just about celebration; it is about truth-telling, recognition, and action,” Abraham said. ”The labor movement, civil rights movement, and the education system have all been profoundly shaped by Black leadership, and we must continue to uplift these contributions year-round.”

Calling on the expertise of NYSUT members, the Truth Talks series provides educators, students and community members with accurate, engaging and empowering historical content that deepens understanding and promotes inclusivity in education.

Alethia Jones, Ph.D., a member of the Professional Staff Congress, was the featured speaker for the debut discussion, “To Build a New World: The Intersection of Black Worker Struggles in the Quest for Universal Fairness.”

My days are packed with activities and responsibilities … focused on supporting our students’ growth. I work individually with students who need extra support, helping them tackle challenges and celebrating their progress. I follow our homeroom students to their specials, staying closely involved and reporting back to the homeroom teacher so we can maintain a cohesive approach to their learning.

Part of my role includes maintaining behavior modification sheets, which helps us monitor and address any issues that arise outside of homeroom. I always find ways to bring fun into the day and make sure students feel proud of their achievements. It’s this combination of guidance, support and encouragement that makes me love what I do. Each day I get to see my students’ growth and resilience firsthand.

Taking an active role allows me to advocate for positive changes that directly benefit our team. Last year, our efforts led to a successful contract negotiation that brought real improvements — increasing pay, reducing insurance contributions, and securing a retirement incentive alongside other key contractual benefits. Being part of the union has given me a meaningful platform to drive these positive changes for all of us.

hen it comes to video games, Scott Beiter, Pamela Moreno and Kevin Calderin could be considered some of the OGs, or original gamers.

“My earliest video game memory is going to my best friend’s house in 1984 to play Atari games,” said Beiter, an eighth-grade science teacher and member of the Rensselaer Teachers Association. Later, he would meet his friends at the arcade for marathon rounds of Gauntlet and Ghosts ‘n’ Goblins.

Beiter started an esports league at Rensselaer Junior-Senior High to help his students form similar ties. “We have a mental health crisis in this country, and we need more social-emotional opportunities for kids,” Beiter said.

Pamela Moreno, a special education teacher at Community Health Academy of the Heights in Manhattan, started an esports league at her middle school to incentivize her students. A member of the United Federation of Teachers, she grew up playing Super Smash Bros. She was debating the merits of the latest game in the franchise with a colleague when a student challenged them to a matchup.

It’s What We Do

oe DiTucci retired this past June after a career as a high school special education teacher in Spencerport schools.

“Spencerport has a pretty active retiree association. I go to some of the events when they come around just to try to stay connected,” he said.

DiTucci points to his area retiree services consultant, Peter Randazzo, as a wealth of knowledge. “They do a pretty good job of trying to keep people involved … socially, politically. There’s a lot of benefits and services that the union offers.”

Retirees make up nearly 270,000 of the statewide union membership. And NYSUT is committed to making sure they stay informed — and connected.

our NYSUT membership offers the opportunity to participate in a number of programs through NYSUT Member Benefits that can save you money, safeguard your family and prepare for the future. Members can enjoy up to an additional 20 percent discount when purchasing these endorsed benefits through payroll or pension deduction.

With these convenient payment options, you won’t have to worry about forgetting important due dates for bills and can save through reduced fees or the elimination of service fees. Approximately 88 percent of NYSUT members have payroll or pension deduction available to them. If your local association has arranged for payroll deduction with its employer, you are eligible to use this payment option.

For our retirees, pension deduction is available if you are collecting a monthly pension benefit from the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System, Teachers’ Retirement System of the City of New York, New York State and Local Retirement System, New York City Board of Education Retirement System, or receiving a monthly lifetime annuity from TIAA.

ore than 530,000 members and retirees use Retirement Online — the fastest way to do business with the New York State and Local Retirement System. Sign in today (bit.ly/RO-sign-in); it’s convenient and secure.

For instructions on how to register for Retirement Online or get help with an existing account, read our “Retirement Online Tools and Tips” blog post (nysut.cc/retirement-tips).

• View and update beneficiaries. NYSLRS retirement plans provide death benefits for beneficiaries of eligible members who die before retiring. Retirement Online lets you immediately add, remove or update your beneficiaries.
• Estimate pension benefits. How much will your pension be? In just a few steps, most members can get a retirement benefit estimate based on their latest account information. Enter different dates and compare the results to help you choose the retirement date that’s right for you.

Yes. The 1099-R shows retired members their gross benefit amount, the taxable amount of their pension and any federal tax withheld. You’ll need it to complete your 2024 income tax forms.

The 1099-R tax statement for calendar year 2024 pension earnings is available for all New York State Teachers’ Retirement System retirees via MyNYSTRS. For retirees who elected to receive a paper copy, it has been mailed to the address provided.

For retirees who opted to receive the 1099-R online, simply log in to your secure MyNYSTRS account. There, you’ll be able to access your statement on the “My Retirement/1099 Forms” page, along with tax statements from previous years.