Mary Vaccaro

Mary Vaccaro is the United Federation of Teachers vice president for education. She is a union activist with 32 years of teaching experience, driven by her passion to advance the profession by amplifying member voice and vigorously advocating for the high-quality education students deserve.

Vaccaro served as the UFT’s District 26 representative for 16 years and continues to serve educators at the local, state and federal levels. She is also a member of the UFT executive board, a delegate to New York State United Teachers and the AFT conventions, and a vice president of the AFT.

As executive director of the UFT Teacher Center, whose continued growth is a source of great pride for Vaccaro, she strongly believes that educators need high-quality professional development that is provided by colleagues who are experts in the field. Through the UFT Teacher Center, she has created partnerships with outside organizations that can support the mission and mastery in schools with UFTTC sites. The UFT Teacher Center has continued to grow by expanding UFTTC field staff, UFTTC district coaches and content specialists during her time. The National Academy for AI Instruction was unveiled this summer at UFT headquarters in collaboration with the AFT and the UFT Teacher Center.

Vaccaro has long taken a stand against high-stakes testing, particularly in the early childhood grades, school overcrowding and unfair contracts for our membership. She is especially proud of her work with parent, civic and community groups, as well as serving in a community that shares her core values: fostering educators’ voices and challenging students to higher achievement.

A graduate of Adelphi University, she received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and her master’s degree in early childhood and elementary education, with a certificate in whole language. A lifelong learner, Vaccaro continues to attend classes, workshops and lectures at colleges and universities to hone her craft.

Vaccaro is involved community-based nonprofit organizations  that provide wrap around services for our members, New York City students and families.

She is married to Vincent Vaccaro, a retired New York City teacher and an adjunct professor. She is the proud mother of Vincent and Matthew, and mother-in-law of New York City teacher Cristina.