Who We Are

The Hempstead Classroom Teachers Association is the unified voice for over 500 educators in Hempstead Public Schools.  We are professionals dedicated to improving our profession and the condition of the environment in which our members work, and our students learn. Our goal is to promote the interests of quality public education and advance the standards of the teaching profession.

We are affiliated with the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO. We are also members of the Long Island Teachers Benevolent Fund.

How We Function

The HCTA has 5 officers elected by active members: President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Recording Secretary and Treasurer. Members in each school elect a Building Representative(s) who attends to building issues. The elected officials and committee chairpersons specified in the HCTA Constitution, are members of HCTA Executive Board.  The Executive Board is the governing body of the association and meets monthly to discuss and act on all matters pertaining to our union.

What We Do

One of our primary responsibilities is negotiating and protecting our collective bargaining agreement, CBA (contract). The contract spells out the terms and conditions of employment in the district. It is only powerful if it is enforced. Our union also works to safeguard your rights to due process when disciplinary actions are taken by the district.

We are involved in all aspects of member benefits including but not limited to:

  • Lunch and Prep time
  • Salary and increments
  • Pension/ Sick Day Buyout
  • Teacher Center Courses
  • Graduate Courses
  • Service Assignments
  • Observations and evaluation guidelines
  • Pay for work beyond school day/calendar year
  • Health &  Dental insurance
  • Sick leave
  • Personal days
  • Sick in Family days
  • Representation in grievances
  • Representation in 2030a proceedings
  • Workday hours
  • Longevity/Transitional

The benefits listed above are not gifts that were bestowed upon us by some beneficent being in the distant past. Rather, they represent some of the hard-won gains negotiated over the years by the Hempstead Classroom Teachers Association. Everything that is found in our contract was earned through the efforts of our Executive Committee and the support of our membership. 

Every member should read their contract and take action to protect it.