Master Teacher Program

Responding to the call to strengthen our nation’s K-12 STEM education, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo launchedthe New York State Master Teacher Program (NYSMTP) in partnership with The State University of New York and Math for America. The NYSMTP celebrates the work of the highest-performing STEM teachers by establishing an expert community dedicated to developing expertise in the areas of content, pedagogy, and students’ families and communities. Introducing motivated teachers to like-minded professionals and high-quality growth experiences keeps our best teachers in the classroom. Inspiring our state’s best teachers and rewarding their efforts ultimately attracts talented students into careers in STEM fields, including STEM education. Through participation in the NYSMTP, selected STEM teachers receive $15,000 stipends annually over four years. The expansion of the NYSMTP will enable more outstanding secondary school Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) teachers to join the existing statewide network of 623 Master Teachers, which is hosted at SUNY campuses in nine economic development regions and in partnership with Math for America in New York City. Ultimately, allowing more of New York’s students to benefit from excellent teaching.

As part of the program's selection process, each finalist must participate in an in-person interview at the base campus for their region. Applicants will be notified if they have been selected for a finalist interview by the end of May/early June.

Buffalo State Master Teacher Fellows are expected to engage in a variety of professional development activities, both as participants and leaders. Activities take place throughout the year and include, but are not limited to, Cohort Meetings, Professional Learning Team (PLT) meetings, , Mini-courses, Single Session (3-hr) Professional Development seminars, taking leadership roles in professional development offerings, mentoring early career or pre-service teachers, and regular participation in local STEM events. Master Teachers are expected to participate in a minimum of 50 hours of activities though are encouraged take greater advantage of the professional opportunities offered to them. Our program aims to support Master Teacher Fellows through a range of professional and leadership activities including:

• High level professional development workshops that offer specialized opportunities to work with recognized leaders in STEM and STEM education
• Monthly cohort meetings where fellow Master Teachers, outside experts, and MTP directors share  insights into ways of thinking about and teaching STEM content
• Outside enrichment opportunities such as participation in workshops developed locally at Buffalo State, or attending the talks and conferences hosted by SUNY Buffalo
• Leadership training courses for interested Master Teachers to provide formal training in leading and teaching adults, both in the MTP community and their schools
• Professional Learning Teams that are facilitated by Master Teacher leaders and provide ongoing subject-specific working groups where Master Teachers learn, investigate, and implement best practices on a monthly basis
• Professional development leadership opportunities, where Master Teachers lead conversations with other members of the SUNY MTP through mini courses and single session workshops on higher level mathematics and science as well as topics that investigate both content and pedagogy
• Pre-service mentoring for the clinical training of mathematics and science education majors
• National leadership opportunities, such as presenting work at conferences, preparation of conference papers and journal manuscripts, as well as financial support for conference participation
• Membership and participation in a dynamic community of dedicated STEM educators across Western New York