Teacher’s Choice

The Division of Financial Operations (DFO) administers the annual Teacher’s Choice Program which provides funding to eligible educators to purchase instructional materials and basic classroom supplies. This program maximizes flexibility in that funding is provided directly to the employee to make purchases according to his or her needs. In order to be eligible, employees must be actively employed as of November 1st . Note that funding levels this year are lower compared to previous years.

In an effort to reduce the administrative burden placed on principals and their schools, DFO has streamlined the administration of the Teacher’s Choice Program. The below documents were created to summarize the changes that are being made while also outlining the new process:

• Teacher’s Choice Program Summary of Changes
• Teacher’s Choice Program Guidelines
• Teacher’s Choice Principal Responsibilities
• Teacher’s Choice Participant Responsibilities
• Teacher’s Choice Calendar
  

Eligible Employees Who Have Yet to Receive Funds: If you are an eligible employee who has yet to receive funding, please have your principal or his/her designee notify the Teacher’s Choice Unit as soon as possible but no later than April 3, 2013. In order to grant funds during the final distribution in May, the Teacher’s Choice Unit will need to know your name and file number.

High school assistant principals and permanent substitute teachers/ROTC instructors with a ‘5BA’ or ‘5BP’ status: You must submit either the High School Assistant Principal Certification Form or Substitute/ROTC Certification Form (as appropriate) to the Teacher’s Choice Unit by April 3, 2013 in order to receive funds during the final distribution in May.

Please be sure to check this Web site regularly as any updates will be posted here. For additional information or assistance, please contact the Teacher’s Choice Unit:

• Telephone: (718) 935-3304
• E-mail: specialprojects@schools.nyc.gov