Our Master Teachers volunteered to lead a share session at the October Cohort Meeting. We enjoyed giving our teachers this space to present on a topic that is important to them.
New York State Master Teacher Program
The NYS Master Teacher Program fosters a collaboration among the selected outstanding k-12 STEM educators, whereby they develop expertise in the areas of content, pedagogy, and students' families and communities. The Western New York region of the NYSMTP works with 250 teachers from over 50 school districts.
FEATURED
Buffalo Math Collaborative and Chautauqua Math Collaborative
Dr. Kara Imm led the first week of meetings with our Master Teachers and participating school districts. We are excited to continue this professional development throughout the school year.
Erie Canal Lockport Locks & Canal Cruise
Master teachers celebrated the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal by climbing aboard for a relaxing and informative ride on the 19th-century engineering marvel which opened up the American Frontier. The fun and educational cruise took them past five of the original 1800's locks. They passed under Lockport's "Upside Down Bridge," Lockport's "Big Bridge" (the widest bridge in the U.S. at 399 feet wide), through the "deep rock cut" and under lift bridges.
Engineering Tomorrow Minicourse Renewable Energy
In this lab, Master Teachers learned how to build their own solar-powered and wind-powered turbine prototype, while trying to keep their costs as low as possible. This reflects how today’s engineers work to lower the cost of renewable energy sources in order to make them more appealing to the public.
MT-Led Group Meetings
The first of many MT-Led Group Meetings for our Master Teachers.
NYSMTP WESTERN REGION NEWS
Upcoming PD for WNY Teachers
September-November 2025
See below for engaging PD opportunities, open to all teachers throughout the beginning of the academic year! See full descriptions of each minicourse by clicking the link to view its flyer.
Global Change Ecology: Species Invasion, Climate Change, and Habitat Loss
Dr. Robert Warren
This minicourse investigates how global change drivers—including species invasions, climate change and habitat degradation—reshape the ecological interactions that underpin biodiversity. Attention is given to both mutualisms and antagonisms, highlighting examples such as disrupted pollination synchrony, altered herbivore–plant associations, novel allelopathic competition and cascading trophic effects of invasive species. Emphasis is placed on identifying the resilience and vulnerability of these relationships under shifting environmental conditions, and on exploring the broader consequences for community structure, ecosystem function and evolutionary trajectories.
Location: Buffalo State University, SAMC 169
Dates: Thursdays, October 23rd and November 6th, 5pm - 8pm
Global Change Ecology Minicourse Registration
Global Change Ecology Minicourse Flyer
Streamline Your Teacher Life with AI Tools!
Mary Howard
Whether you’re creating lesson plans, grading, communicating with families, or designing student activities, AI can help you work smarter, not harder.
What You'll Learn:
✅ How to use AI for planning, differentiation, and content creation
✅ Time-saving hacks for grading, feedback, and classroom communication
✅ Tools for designing visuals, assessments, and engaging student materials
✅ Responsible and ethical AI use in education
Walk away with ready-to-use examples, templates, and confidence to put AI to work for you. Perfect for teachers of all grade levels and content areas with no tech expertise required!
Location: Buffalo State University, SAMC 259
Dates: Wednesdays October 29th, November 5th, November 12th; 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
AI Tools Minicourse Registration
Physics Teacher Outreach
Location: Buffalo State University, SAMC 357
Date: Saturday, November 8th; 9am - 12:00pm
November Cohort Meeting
Location: Northland Workforce Training Center, 683 Northland Ave, Buffalo, NY 14211
Date: Saturday, November 15th; 9:00am - 12:00pm
November Cohort Meeting Registration
Exploring Electricity with WhyMaker and NYPA
Location: Northland Workforce Training Center, 683 Northland Ave, Buffalo, NY 14211
Date: Saturday, November 15th; 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Exploring Electricity Workshop Flyer
Happy Classroom Workshop
Facilitated by Ariana Ausiano
Date: Saturday, November 22nd, 9am-12pm
Location: Buffalo State University, SAMC 266
Happy Classroom Workshop Registration
Happy Classroom Workshop Flyer
Authentic Science Inquiry for Every Learner Workshop
Facilitated by Pamela Patterson
Date: Saturday, November 22nd, 9am-11am
Location: Buffalo State University, SAMC 257
Authentic Science Inquiry Workshop Flyer
Manifest Math Stories: Boost Math Engagement with Simple, Ready-to-Use Story Slides Workshop
Facilitated by Harry O'Malley
Date: Saturday, November 22nd, 9am-12pm
Location: Buffalo State University, SAMC 259
Manifest Math Stories Workshop Flyer
The Image Above Gives Data About the NYS Master Teacher Program
- 124,000+ students across New York State have a NYS Master Teacher
- There are 921 current Master Teachers
- More than 549 Master Teacher Emeritus
- Giving us a total of 1,470 Master Teachers statewide
- 61% Teach High School
- 15% Teach Middle School
- 15 % Teach Elementary School
- 9% Teach Across Grade Levels
- 100% of the Master Teachers state that their collaboration with other NYS Master Teachers have provided them with professional renewal and inspiration for their work as STEM educators
- 99% of MTs agree that their status as a NYS Master Teachers has increased their opportunities to develop their leadership skills.
- 97% of MTs agree that their experiences in the NYSMTP have increased their opportunities to share their work with teachers in their school or district.
- The percent of High Needs Districts with NYS Master Teachers:
- 100% Large City
- 58% New York City
- 57% Urban/Suburban/ High Needs
- 51% Rural High Needs
The NYSMTP invites applications from eligible K-12 STEM Teachers & Counselors! In 2022, Governor Hochul announced the expansion of the New York State Master Teacher Program to create a cohort of counselors and to encourage more teachers with CTE certificates related to STEM careers projected to be in high demand to apply. The program creates a statewide network of the highest performing educators dedicated to sharing the expertise with peers and attracting the brightest minds to careers in the STEM fields and education. Through participation in the NYSMTP, selected educators engage in professional learning and receive $15,000 stipends annually over four years. Visit suny.edu/masterteacher for detailed information about eligibility and the application process. "New York is home to many talented teachers, and we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to educators across our state." -Governor Hochul
The NYS Master Teacher Program invites outstanding, experienced K012 STEM teachers and K-12 counselors who are committed to: reflection, continuous professional growth, collaboration, creating and sustaining a supportive and engaging learning environment, excellence in STEM education for all students, and making a difference within and beyond schools to apply for a four-year Master Teacher fellowship. Governor Hochul said, "I'm proud to announce the expansion of the Master Teacher network and the open application for the next round of STEM teachers and counselors.". A NYS Master Teacher said, "The experiences I had [with the Program] inspired me to bring back to my classroom the plethora of ideas and examples that fellow educators shared, that supported me in many ways to become a better more effective educator. THAT is what the Master Teacher Program does best.
"Since 2013, New York's Master Teacher program has recognized our state's most talented and dedicated educators for their persistence in engaging students in STEM fields. These teachers are instrumental in the development of our future leaders, and it is a privilege to recognize them every year."