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Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the selection of 275 educators from across the state to join the New York State Master Teacher Program. One third of the new Master Teachers announced are elementary teachers, expanding the network of outstanding teacher-leaders to include K-12 STEM educators. These educators will join the network of Master Teachers created in 2013.

Lansing High School teachers James Saroka and Andrea Schneider are among the 980 New York State Master Teachers. The program recognizes outstanding teachers for dedication to providing the most innovative STEM education to their students, commitment to professional growth, and enthusiasm for sharing their successful practices with colleagues in their schools, districts, and regions.

"Education is the cornerstone to success, and it is the brilliant, dedicated teachers in New York who make a difference in countless lives and inspire the leaders of tomorrow," Cuomo said. "Congratulations to the 275 newest members of the Master Teacher Program, who will join the ranks of the top educators in the state as they work to further their skills and their impact on students in every corner of this great state."

The incoming group of Master Teachers includes 40 teachers with multiple teaching certifications, 10 teachers certified in Special Education and/or Students with Disabilities, and 14 teachers certified in Technology Education who are offering various courses in Computer Science and Technology. 30 percent of this cohort are teaching in high needs school districts, including the Syracuse, Rochester, Albany, Binghamton, and Buffalo City School Districts.

"I'm delighted to see that New York's Master Teacher Program has now grown to include teachers who work with our youngest students," said SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson. "These teachers lay the groundwork for a lifelong love of science and technology. SUNY is proud to host the Master Teacher Program on our campuses and look forward to the continued partnerships between university faculty and our state's best STEM educators."

The 275 Master Teachers are dedicated professionals who teach science, technology, computer science, robotics, coding, engineering, and math courses across grades K-12 including Advanced Placement, honors, Regents and International Baccalaureate levels.

The selected Master Teachers have been teaching an average of 15 years. Over 76 percent have been in the classroom for ten or more years, and 22 percent have been teaching for more than 20 years. The 275 Master Teachers represent 160 school districts.

All Master Teachers are active beyond their classrooms, serving as curriculum department leaders or on district and state-level committees. They are also sponsors of Science Olympiad competitions, school gardens, Robotics teams, Coding Clubs, community service organizations as well as coaches, and PTA members. The Master Teachers hold leadership roles in New York State STEM professional associations, and many have received awards and public recognition for their teaching from their peers and communities.

In nine regions across the state, the Master Teacher Program is hosted at a SUNY campus to leverage the expertise of the University's faculty and existing educator preparation programs. The number of teachers from each regional cohort and the respective partner SUNY campus are:

  • Capital Region: 134 (University at Albany)
  • Central New York: 106 (SUNY Cortland)
  • Finger Lakes: 131 (SUNY Geneseo)
  • Long Island: 93 (Stony Brook University)
  • Mid-Hudson: 76 (SUNY New Paltz)
  • Mohawk Valley: 84 (SUNY Oneonta)
  • North Country: 72 (SUNY Plattsburgh)
  • Southern Tier: 146 (Binghamton University)
  • Western New York: 107 (SUNY Buffalo State)
  • New York City: 31 (in partnership with Math for America)

Throughout their four-year participation in the Program, Master Teachers:
  • 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 to foster a supportive environment for the next generation of STEM teachers; and
  • Attend required regional cohort meetings, participate in and lead several professional development sessions each year.

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