Email is BEST since I check it every minute.

Lennonjess@aol.com

This is also the number to direct you for pension consultations.

*You can have more than one consultation in your career but it is limited to one a year.

**You MUST have doctors notes for any day over 10 or you can be docked whether or not you have the days in your bank.

During a per-session summer activity, pedagogues and paraprofessionals accrue one sick day for each month of service. 

Reasonable notice must be given for personal business that is scheduled in advance, such as the closing on a house. This allows you an opportunity to speak to your chapter leader if you feel the principal is being unreasonable in denying your request. If you are out to take care of a suddenly ill child, advance notice is not ordinarily required. Personal days are part of the contractual right to 10 self-treated CAR days allowed each year, not in addition to those days.

• Differentials are paid as of Feb. 1, July 1 and Sept. 1, respectively, for work you’ve completed in the previous fall, spring and summer semesters.

• For example, if you complete your coursework by Jan. 31 and file by July 31, the DOE will pay your differential in the fall semester with arrears back to Feb. 1.

You must have a DOE email address to access the online application.

• Access the salary differential online application »

• See a step-by-step guide to applying for a differential in the DOE's salary application system »

Members will electronically receive a Certificate of Salary Status when the differential is processed.

With this new online process, you may upload scanned transcripts. You will no longer need to resubmit your transcript each time you apply for another differential.

1. Unless your injury or illness prevents you, immediately notify your chapter leader and principal of any accident or other incident. All accidents should be reported – even if the injury is not obvious or is seemingly inconsequential.

2. Complete the DOE's Comprehensive Injury Report (your school secretary will have it) and return it to your principal within 24 hours.

3. See a doctor as soon as possible. Get a note from your doctor describing the extent of your injury and the anticipated time you will need to recover.

4. Leaves for line-of-duty injuries must now be requested via the Department of Education's Self-Service Online Leave of Absence System (SOLAS). SOLAS replaces the old forms, OP 198 and OP 407. You should request line-of-duty-injury status (LODI) from the day of your first absence to the last date of your absence.

5. If you have been the victim of an assault, you should file a police report at the nearest precinct as soon as possible and seek medical attention if you are injured.

6. Complete a UFT Incident Report online as soon as possible and inform your Chapter Leader. You may call the UFT Safety and Health Department directly at 1-212-598-6853 to check on the status of your case.

7. If you intend to sue the DOE, contact your UFT Borough Office as soon as possible. The borough office can refer you to an attorney. Keep in mind that an Intent-to-Sue/Notice of Claim legal referral form must be filed by you or an attorney within 90 calendar days of the date of your accident or illness.

In some cases, the superintendent or the DOE's Medical Bureau will refuse to grant line-of-duty status and it may be necessary to file a grievance or file for medical arbitration, respectively. Please contact your UFT district representative or UFT borough office in either case. Learn what to do if your LODI is medically denied.

• Permanent or Professional certificate in the classroom teaching service

• Permanent or Professional certificate in the educational leadership service (i.e., School Building Leader, School Administrator/Supervisor, School District Leader, School District Administrator, School District Business Leader, or School Business Administrator)

• Teaching Assistant Level III certificate

More information about registration and continuing teacher and leader education (CTLE) requirements is available on the NY State Education Department website. 

• Professional certificate in the classroom teaching service

• Professional certificate in the educational leadership service (i.e., School Building Leader, School District Leader, and School District Business Leader)

• Teaching Assistant Level III certificate

Examples of educators who do not need to complete the CTLE requirement include, but are not limited to, educators who:

• Hold only Permanent certificate(s)

• Hold a Statement of Continued Eligibility (SOCE) and Permanent certificate, and does not also hold a Professional or TA Level III certificate; and

• Have "Registered - Inactive" status (e.g., not practicing in an applicable school).

The registration and CTLE requirements do not apply to educators who hold a certificate in the pupil personnel service (e.g., School Attendance Teacher, School Counselor, School Psychologist, School Social Worker) or hold a Teaching Assistant Level I or Level II certificate.

There is one CTLE requirement per educator (100 clock hours), regardless of the number of certificates held that are subject to CTLE. Educators who are subject to CTLE and practice in an applicable school throughout their five-year registration period must complete 100 clock hours of acceptable CTLE.

Information about CTLE is available on the NY State Education Department website

• A master’s degree;

• 12 graduate credits in the certificate area’s content core or a related field (if your master’s degree is pedagogical, this 12-credit requirement is already met by the program);

• Three years of full-time teaching experience;

• One year of mentored experience; and

• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.

To ensure that you will fulfill the state mandates as a “highly qualified” teacher, it is very important that the title of your Transitional B certificate matches: a) the master’s program in which you are enrolled; and b) the teaching position for which you were hired. You have three years from the issue date of your Transitional B certificate to complete your master’s degree and fulfill any test and other requirements for the initial or professional certificate. When you have done so, your college must recommend you for either the initial or professional certificate, whichever pertains. You must log into your TEACH account to apply for your Trans B and successive certificates.