Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the addition of 144 STEM teachers to the New York State Master Teacher Program, a professional network of over 1,700 public-school teachers dedicated to inspiring the next generation of educational leaders. The announcement also included the selection of 26 counselors for the inaugural Master Counselor Program.
The new members represent 83 school districts across the state, with 40 program members from high-needs districts including Albany, Buffalo, Binghamton, Plattsburgh City, Rochester, Schenectady, Syracuse, Utica, and New York City School Districts. The Master Teachers and Master Counselors support students in grades K-12 in areas of science, technology, computer science, robotics, coding, engineering, math, and integrated STEM.
According to SUNY.edu, more than half of the new members have been teaching for over ten years, and more than 45 percent have been teaching for 15 or more years. The incoming group of Master Teachers includes 25 percent elementary level teachers, 48 teachers with multiple teaching certifications, 15 teachers certified in Special Education, and two teachers who hold a Bilingual Education Extension.
The Master Counselors are active members of their professional associations serving in leadership roles and regularly engage with local industries to help students and their families chart a path to student success. More than half of the 2024 Master Counselors have been in a counseling role for longer than ten years.
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, and attend required regional meetings to participate in and lead professional development sessions each year.
The application process for the next round is open now through January 26, 2025.