Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the selection of 147 educators 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 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 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.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. said, "The New York State Master Teacher Program celebrates outstanding educators who make a significant impact on their students and the school districts they serve, and we are pleased to see this program expand to include Master Counselors. K-12 educators and counselors are critical in guiding students through their early academic journey, inspiring them to learn more and get excited about their studies. With the new FAFSA form coming out this year, the role of counselors in helping students achieve their college dreams is more important than ever."
Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said, "The Master Teachers and Master Counselors of New York State, are the epitome of providers of high-quality content expertise and developmental support services that enable all students to succeed in school and beyond. Their unwavering commitment not only fosters a culture of learning in schools but also creates opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to thrive, paving the way for a brighter future for communities and the state as a whole."
State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, “New York’s Master Teachers are the vanguards of our education community, exemplifying excellence, innovation, and dedication in the classroom. Their expertise and passion for transformative learning experiences are the catalysts that will inspire and shape the future of education in our state. New York’s Master Counselors provide guidance and connections to help prepare students for the workforce of tomorrow. Congratulations to this year’s cohort of Master Teachers and Master Counselors, and thank you for everything you do for New York’s students.”
SUNY Board Chairman Merryl Tisch and Board Vice Chairman Cesar Perales said, “Every young person across New York State is entitled to an excellent education that sets them on a journey to unlimited opportunities in life. The Governor’s program supports our educators and counselors to serve as that source of inspiration by establishing a network of Masters to mentor and encourage the K-12 community across our state. We are proud to have a role in this program and look forward to its continued growth. Our congratulations to this year’s class.”
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.
About The State University of New York
The State University of New York, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2022, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit www.suny.edu.