r/NYCDOETeachers

what’s your plan?

Does bonus hit later in the day? I woke expecting to have it to pay for expenses but it’s not there

I’ve been a science teacher at a private high school in queens for 3 years (2025-2026 school year is my 3rd year).
I just accepted a job offer at a DOE public school for next year (2026-2027) . I haven’t received formal paper work and the principal said she’s working on entering my information into the system.
Is there a way my 3 years in private school can be applied to my salary so i’m not starting at the base salary. I have my masters degree MAT.
Any advice is appreciated / would love tips on what to expect in the onboarding process .

The UFT said that per diem and part time employees should be receiving their own bonuses. Based on previous bonuses, when should they receive the pay?

I’m a sub teacher and I saw I qualified for the bonus but then realized I’m not part of UFT. I thought it was automatic :/

Is there anything I can do?

You don’t have to be a union member in order to receive the bonus. By default you’re represented by the union ( uft) you will receive the bonus once you worked more that 30 days. You haven’t received it yet because we usually get it mid month ( around May 15th) unlike the teachers who get it May 1.

I’m a first year teacher who started in September and my bank is teacher’s federal credit union. I don’t see any bonus listed in the payroll portal and nothing extra is in my bank account. Is there a chance they forgot about me?

We were told that our DOE Public pre-k center will not wipe students in pre-k. Obviously we are working on this skill but our child hasn’t mastered it yet. Given that you don’t need to be potty trained for pre-k I’d expect they encourage students to wipe themselves and assist as needed to ensure they are clean. But guess not. Can someone clarify?

This is my second year teaching, and I have a wonderful student in my class (this is D75). He is autistic but highly functional, and he’s 6 years old.

He’s a bright and kind child, but sometimes he says things like, “Don’t push me!” or “Don’t hit me.”

Yesterday, a para accidentally bumped into him. The other paras and I all saw it happen. He turned to her and said, “Hey, don’t hit me!” The para looked at me and mentioned that sometimes he accuses her of hitting him or pushing him—but it’s never true. I reassured her that I witnessed the whole thing: he bumped into her, not the other way around, and she didn’t even touch him.

He has also said to me "Hey you hit me!" and to other teachers who instantly tell him "I did not hit you, hitting is not ok"

I’m sharing this to protect myself and my paras. In my classroom, we have a strict rule about personal space and keeping hands to ourselves—we never hit or push students.

So I need to know how to respond to those instances so the child understand that tapping on the shoulder, or raising one's voice to get everyone's attention is not hitting or pushing.

Hi! I was accepted into NYC Teaching Fellows for ENL/TESOL K–12 and am trying to learn from past Fellows.

For anyone who did ENL/TESOL through NYCTF at City College or Hunter:

• Which college were you assigned to?
• Were classes mostly in person, hybrid, or virtual?
• How was the workload once you started teaching?

I know the official schedule can change, but I’m trying to understand real experiences while waiting for more details. City College may work better for me commute-wise, but I’d love to hear about both.

What time does the bouns come I have Citibank

Currently, I am completing my 10th year teaching. My degree is in Music Education with my focus being the voice. I taught choir for 6 years in Texas, then transitioned into 8th grade ELA for another 2. Moving to NYC, I accepted a charter school job as the NYS reciprocity turned down my application for ELA. I wanted to continue teaching ELA (and have now moved into ELA and History). I have been in this charter network for 2 years, and am just over it. I’ve applied for my reciprocity certificate through music (which I meet all the requirements for). When looking at the teacher finder (I know it’s early), there were literally no jobs.

I know getting a teaching job may be difficult in general, but is it going to be impossible for music? Should I just change charter schools instead? I left Texas being recognized by the state for teaching ELA, and had amazing ratings for music. Now I just feel like maybe I’m stuck in charter world.

Hello All, I have a quick question about Open Market. I saw that a school that messaged me last year when I was a leave still has an opening. I was wondering if I should reach out to them now? I feel awkward doing so, but can't see myself at my current school next year. What are your thoughts? Please help!

I have been accepted to a degree for M.S. Ed in Early Childhood and Special Education (Birth-Grade 2). It will permit a Initial NYS Certification upon completion.

A couple months after enrollment, our family's financial circumstances have changed. We can afford the M.S.Ed without accruing debt, but what does the tail-end look like? Can I use this degree immediately? I am in a position where I can withdraw myself from the degree entirely, but I need to hear opinions?

Therefore, I have a few questions. Answer whichever ones you'd like.

Questions:

1. What is the starting salary for an Initial Cert, M.S.Ed teacher in 3K, Pre-K, or K -- in either a DOE school vs. a CBO?

2. Can I switch between DOE and CBO without losing seniority/step credit? Do I restart at step 1?

3. How does the salary change once I get my full Certification/License?

4. Is it true that NYC is "starving" for 3K, Pre-K, or Kindergarten teachers?

5. How many of your teacher-friends still teach after 1 year? 3 year? Why? Brutal honesty is appreciated.

6. For 3K/Pre-K specifically, is the job year-round or do I lose summer income? How stable is year-to-year employment?

7. What is the timeline and process for converting from Initial to Professional Certification?

8. Can I apply for DOE positions while still enrolled in my program (using Internship/Transitional certificate) or must I wait for the initial certificate?

9. For someone with an M.S.Ed in Early Child/Special Ed (Birth-Grade 2): can I work with BOTH general ed AND special ed populations, or is one more hireable? Which has better job security?

10. Please be as honest as you can - which grade do you teach, which neighborhood and what do you HATE about your job?

I need to know what to expect before i go down this route. Any advice would be sincerely appreciated.

I am a sub teacher and recently learned you have to be UFT repped to get the bonus so although I’ve worked well over 30 days since the start date I won’t be eligible, when and how can I join UFT to make sure I’m eligible next year, also how much $ comes out of your check for dues or is it a one time fee?

Does anyone know if substitute teachers have to be UFT members to receive the bonus check? thanks!

Hey everyone, I know that everyone is probably tired of the bonus questions but I have a unique situation.

I was a paraprofessional for two years until I resigned December 2025. I was never actually removed from the system because around April of this year, I started a new position within the DOE, but I’m no longer under UFT. However, since I haven’t fully made the transition into this role, my payroll still says paraprofessional UFT salary. My question is, would I still qualify for this bonus since I did work up until December, and it still says I’m UFT?

Who we voting for and why?

Question if anyone has ever received a do not use notification from sub central? I’m working with the UFT on something to help iron this out for future cases….

Do the instructions tell you not to contact the school who placed you on do not use? If anyone has an example of your notification it would be a huge help.

Thanks!