Governor Cuomo Announces Selection of 80 New York State Master Teachers

LongIsland.com

Governor Cuomo announced the selection of 80 educators from across the state to join the New York State Master Teacher Program.

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Albany, NY - September 15, 2015 - Governor Cuomo announced the selection of 80 educators from across the state to join the New York State Master Teacher Program. These educators will join the 552 Master Teachers announced since 2013, bringing the total number of Master Teachers across New York State to 625.

“This new group of outstanding educators will join a dedicated network of Master Teachers who are inspiring students across the state to pursue careers in high-demand fields,” Governor Cuomo said. “By recruiting the best and brightest teachers, this program is creating a quality learning environment for students and laying the foundation for tomorrow’s workforce. I am pleased to welcome this group into the Master Teachers Program and I look forward to their success.”

“The New York State Master Teacher Program has grown exponentially since it was first introduced by Governor Cuomo, and has become central to our shared commitment of strengthening the education pipeline for students and teachers across the STEM disciplines,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “We are proud to welcome another talented group of teaching professionals to this innovative program, which leverages the collective resources and expertise of STEM and education faculty at nine SUNY campuses across New York State.”

The 80 newly selected Master Teachers have been in the teaching profession an average of 15 years. They represent over 55 school districts and teach in middle and high schools. Four of these professionals have earned National Board Certification, a national recognition of the highest professional standards. Over half of the Master Teachers selected earned certifications in more than one STEM discipline.

The 80 Master Teachers are dedicated professionals that teach all levels of science and math courses including honors, Regents and International Baccalaureate levels. They teach in urban, rural and suburban districts. The Master Teachers selected have distinguished themselves in the classroom and in their schools, serving as mentors for pre-service teachers and collaborating with their experienced colleagues.

All 625Master Teachers are active beyond their classrooms in various activities including sponsors of STEM clubs, Olympiad and robotics teams, and community service organizations, and further dedicate themselves as coaches, scout troop leaders, and PTA members. The Master Teachers hold leadership roles in New York State professional organizations and many have received awards and public recognition for their teaching from their peers and communities.

Nine of the ten regional programs are paired with a SUNY campus to leverage the expertise of the University’s faculty and partner with existing teacher preparation programs. The number of teachers from each regional cohort and the respective partner SUNY campus are:

  • Capital Region: 70 (University at Albany)
  • Central New York: 67 (SUNY Cortland)
  • Finger Lakes: 68 (SUNY Geneseo)
  • Long Island: 70 (Stony Brook University)
  • Mid-Hudson: 70 (SUNY New Paltz)
  • Mohawk Valley: 43 (SUNY Oneonta)
  • North Country: 67 (SUNY Plattsburgh)
  • Southern Tier: 66 (Binghamton University)
  • Western New York: 70 (SUNY Buffalo State)
  • New York City: 34 (in partnership with Math for America)

Master Teachers will:

  • Receive a $15,000 stipend per year over 4 years for participation in the program (total compensation of $60,000 per Master Teacher).
  • Engage in peer mentoring and intensive content-oriented professional development opportunities throughout the academic year.
  • Work closely with pre-service and early career teachers to foster a supportive environment for the next generation of STEM teachers.
  • Attend required regular cohort meetings, participate in and lead several professional development sessions each year, and participate in the training of pre-service and early career educators as part of the Master Teacher program.

A full list of Master Teachers and their school districts is available here.

Additional information about the application requirements and process is available here.