The NYC Teachers Union asks Mayor candidates to spend a day lesson

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The New York Teachers Union has a new requirement for candidates for mayor who are looking for their confirmation: Spend a day in a classroom for public school.

The announcement was made on Thursday as a crowded candidate field for political support in front of the primary school on June 24th and November 4th.

Mayor Eric Adams faces a difficult path to re -election in an indictment against the corruption of the federal government and a controversial offer by the Trump government to fall against him. He will face a number of remarkable democratic challengers, including the former governor Andrew Cuomo, who is currently heading the package, according to the survey data.

And on Thursday, the city council's spokesman, Adrienne Adams, who asked the mayor to resign, entered the battle and announced her own campaign for the mayor.

In order to receive support from the United Federation of Teachers, which represents almost 200,000 members, President Michael Mulgrew said that the candidates have to spend at least seven periods in a classroom for public school.

You have to help the teacher and parapofessionally with lessons, teaching management and everything the students need.

“Mayor candidates have traditionally promised to listen to educators and to rely their educational guidelines on the recommendations of people who do the work. Then they come to the town hall and everything that goes out of the window, ”said Mulgrew in an explanation. “We offered candidates and elected officers in the classroom, but they don't take us on. So today we are in the recording – if you want our confirmation, you must understand the work we do. “

The UFF will work with the city's educational department to identify classrooms for interested candidates and accompany them during their visit, union officers said.

Some observers were skeptical about the idea.

David Bloomfield, professor of education, law and public order at Brooklyn College and at the Cuny Graduate Center, supported the candidates for mayor who visited the classrooms, but asked if they should spend time with class.

“What is a candidate for a day that can be generalized to almost a million children in 1,700 schools in 5 districts?” He said in an e -mail. “Due to the system, mayor candidates must think about a chancellor and [Panel for Educational Policy, a city board that votes on major policy proposals and contracts,] Majority that can lead to specialist knowledge and judgment. Small command performances are a ridiculous hurdle for the Uff. “

Chalkbeat asked the 12 mayor candidates – 10 of whom run in the democratic primary school – whether they wanted to participate. Some played their own connection to public schools. They said the following:

(Mayor candidates are listed in alphabetical order.)

The spokesman for the city council Adrienne Adams

On Thursday evening, the spokesman for Adam's spokesman did not answer a request for comments.

Mayor Eric Adams

Mayor Adam's campaign did not answer a request for comments on Thursday evening.

Former member of the Michael Blake State Assembly

Michael Ceraso, a spokesman for Blake Campaign, said that the former member of the State Assembly was “100% willing” to teach for a day.

“He was a teacher in the past,” said Ceraso. “He went back to Harvard, Nyu and the Monroe College, where he went back to teach in particular on citizenship. This is not a problem for him and something that he is ready regardless of the criteria. “

Former governor Andrew Cuomo

From Thursday evening, Cuomo's campaign had not replied to a request for comments.

City Compotroller Brad Lander

“As the son of a public school advisor, even a graduate of the public school graduates of K-12 and the father of two graduates of the public school graduates in NYC, I could no longer look forward to spending a day in the classroom with today's students and teachers.

Member of the Zohran Mamdani State Assembly

“I look forward to spending a day in a classroom and think it is only fair that we are trying to work in New York City to promote and educate the next generation of the city when we ask Uff to understand your work,” said Mamdani in a statement.

State Senator Zellnor Myrie

“As the son of a special school teacher (and Uff member), who taught in the Bronx for many years – Zellnor would love it!” Said Olivia Lapeyrolerie, a spokesman for Myrie's campaign, in an e -mail. “He was also the only boy in his school step team, so Z could also teach the children a few steps.”

State Senator Jessica Ramos

“I am no stranger to a classroom for public school and am looking forward to the opportunity to run a day in the life of a teacher's shoes,” said Ramos in an explanation.

Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa

According to a spokesman, Curtis Sliwa will take part in his campaign.

“I praise the United Federation of Teachers to give mayor candidates the opportunity to step into the classroom and to see the challenges of our schools first -hand,” said Sliwa in a statement. “It is important for every guide to speak directly to teachers, students and employees to understand what is really missing.”

Former city seller Scott Stringer

Sam Raskin, a spokesman for the Stringer campaign, confirmed that the former City Compotroller – in which the Uff was supported in the last elections – would take part.

“With two children in the public school, he has already spent a lot of time with his students and teachers in the classroom,” added Raskin in an e -mail.

Investor Whitney Tilson

Tilson's campaign had not replied to a request for comments by Thursday evening.

Independent candidate Jim Walden

On Thursday evening, Walden's campaign did not answer a request for comments.

Julian Shen-Berro is a reporter who covers New York City. Contact him at jshen-berro@chalkbeat.org.