147 educators have been selected for the New York State Master Teacher Program, a professional network of more than 1,700 public-school teachers with a passion for inspiring the next generation of educational leaders. Twenty-five counselors were also announced as part of the inaugural Master Counselor Program. The application process for the next round is open now through January 26, 2024. Interested applicants can review the eligibility requirements here.
“Our teachers and counselors have the vital responsibility of educating and supporting New York’s future leaders,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “I’m proud to celebrate the New York State Master Teacher Program and the hardworking educational leaders who are helping us build a world-class education system here in New York. We are incredibly grateful for our educators and counselors for their dedication to inspiring and shaping the minds of our children.”
A full list of Master Teachers and Counselors and their school districts is available here.
The new members represent 127 school districts with a Master Teacher or Master Counselor among their faculty, with 50 program members from high-needs districts including Albany, Buffalo, Poughkeepsie, Rochester, Schenectady, Syracuse, Utica, and, for counselors, New York City School Districts. These individuals are dedicated professionals who teach science, technology, computer science, robotics, coding, engineering, math, and integrated STEM courses across grades K-12.
More than half of the new members have been in the classroom for more than ten years, and 17 percent have been teaching for more than 20 years. The incoming group of Master Teachers includes 52 elementary-level teachers, 30 teachers with multiple teaching certifications, and 15 teachers certified in Special Education. (The complete list can be found below)
The Master Counselors are active members of their professional associations and regularly engage with local industries to help students and their families chart a path to student success. The counselors serve in various district-level and state-level roles, joining the program as experienced leaders dedicated to developing and sharing best practices. One-third of the Master Counselors hold additional certificates or NYS trainings including Work-Based Learning, National Board, School Violence Prevention & Intervention, and Trauma, Illness & Grief.
Master Teachers and Master Counselors are leaders in their professions, serving as mentors for students and early-career teachers and counselors. Many new members have been awarded grants for STEM or counseling program resources. The Master Teacher Program is hosted at nine SUNY campuses to leverage the expertise of the University’s faculty and existing educator preparation programs.
The total number of teachers and counselors from each region, and the respective partner SUNY campus, are:
- Capital Region: 206 Master Teachers and 2 Master Counselors (University at Albany)
- Central New York: 213 Master Teachers and 2 Master Counselors (SUNY Cortland)
- Finger Lakes: 223 Master Teachers and 2 Master Counselors (SUNY Geneseo)
- Long Island: 206 Master Teachers and 1 Master Counselor (Stony Brook University)
- Mid-Hudson: 200 Master Teachers and 4 Master Counselors (SUNY New Paltz)
- Mohawk Valley: 140 Master Teachers and 2 Master Counselors (SUNY Oneonta)
- North Country: 130 Master Teachers and 1 Master Counselor (SUNY Plattsburgh)
- Southern Tier: 252 Master Teachers and 4 Master Counselors (Binghamton University)
- Western New York: 244 Master Teachers and 3 Master Counselors (SUNY Buffalo State)
- New York City:138 (in partnership with Math for America) and 4 Master Counselors
Throughout their four-year participation in the Program, Master Teachers, and Master Counselors will receive a $15,000 stipend annually; engage in peer mentoring and intensive content-oriented professional development opportunities throughout the academic year; work closely with pre-service and early career teachers and counselors to foster a supportive environment for the next generation of STEM teachers; and attend required regional meetings participate in and lead professional development sessions each year.
