As the Nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, democracy is a fitting theme for all of the upcoming celebrations and commemorations.
And as nearly 2,000 NYSUT leaders and delegates prepare to return to Albany for the statewide union’s annual policymaking convention under the theme “Democracy • Solidarity • Action,” they will be tasked with writing the next chapter of the union’s story.
“We know that our collective strength depends on action, democracy and solidarity — not as slogans, but as daily practice,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person. “This year’s Representative Assembly is a call to turn shared values into real-world change.”
Local leaders will kick off the busy weekend with the Local and Retiree Council Presidents Conference, April 30–May 1. Workshop topics include negotiating paid parental leave, workplace violence prevention, SRP Mentoring, and APPR.
The 2026 RA will be held May 1–2. Delegates will elect NYSUT officers, members of the Board of Directors, and state delegates to the American Federation of Teachers Convention.
RA delegates will help set the union agenda for the next year as they debate about 40 resolutions on pre-K through postgraduate education, legislation, healthcare, organizing and retirement.
The annual convention is also a time to recognize the hard work and dedication of NYSUT members. The RA will honor the winners of several NYSUT awards including “Not for Ourselves Alone”: The Sandy Feldman Outstanding Leadership Award, the Ken Kurzweil Social Justice Recognition Award and the NYSUT Lifeline Honor Roll. Winners of the union’s constituency awards will also be recognized.
Check out last year’s RA coverage here: 2025 Representative Assembly Wrap-Up.