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
WNY Master Teacher Program hosts Engineering Tomorrow Event for Area High Schools
May 21, 2025
This past May, the WNY Master Teacher Program hosted more than 100 students from high schools around WNY for a live bridge building event. Students came from Williamsville, Akron, Kenmore, Amherst, Buffalo, even as far as Panama and Clymer to participate in the event.
Read in detail about the day's events and engaging activities here.
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.
Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruise
Local history is still very alive at Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises, and has been experienced by almost million people since its inception. The fun and educational cruise will take you past five of the original 1800's locks. Three million gallons of water will fill Locks 34 & 35, the only double set on the Erie Canal, and raise the boat 50 feet. You’ll pass 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. The lively narration by the Coast Guard Licensed Captains is also accompanied by crowd-pleasing canal music, popular during the 1800's.
Come aboard for a relaxing and informative ride on the 19th-century engineering marvel which opened up the American Frontier.
Location: 210 Market St, Lockport, NY
Date: Saturday September 13th, 1:00pm-3:00pm following the September Cohort Meeting
Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruise Registration
Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruise Flyer
Engineering Tomorrow Minicourse
Engineering Tomorrow Engineers
Engineering Tomorrow Facilitators will demo two labs to try out - register for one or both! See descriptions of both labs below:
September 10th: Renewable Energy Lab
Building Solar & Wind Systems
In this lab, students are introduced to renewable energy, where they will learn about the benefits of renewable energy sources in contrast to the dangers of non-renewable energy sources. Students will learn 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.
September 17th: Electric Vehicles Lab
Building & Racing Your Own EV
In this lab, students are introduced to the history, development, and design features of electric vehicles. Students will learn how to build their own electric vehicle and gain an understanding of this burgeoning technology.
Location: Buffalo State University, SAMC 259
Renewable Energy Lab Registration
Electric Vehicles Lab Registration
Engineering Tomorrow Lab Flyer
Rachael Burke & Denea Czapla
The Western Region of the New York State Master Teacher Program is excited to offer an extension of our mathematical landscapes of learning series that focuses on the pedagogical moves teachers make to nurture a community of mathematicians across the elementary and middle school grades. The mathematical content will be situated within Cathy Fosnot’s landscape of learning framework and will explore the coherent development of topics along the K – 8 spectrum. Video case studies across the grade levels of classroom practice will be analyzed and discussed using the TRU Framework, from Dr. Alan Shoenfeld at the University of California, Berkeley. These video cases provide opportunities for participants to share their grade level expertise and to enhance our understanding of the content connections across the landscape.
October's sessions will highlight building a welcoming math community for learners to take risks, gain confidence, and take charge of their learning with a focus on the landscape of fractions, decimals and percents throughout grades K-8. Sessions will feature mathematical models and tools for thinking such as pattern blocks, fraction tiles, number lines, ratio tables, Building Thinking Classroom principles, number strings, and more. Real world contexts and situations will be used as we consider and reflect on how to best develop students’ conceptual understanding, mathematical identity, and a supportive, nurturing classroom community.
Location: Buffalo State University, SAMC 259
Dates: Wednesdays October 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd; 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Mathematical Landscapes October Registration
Mathematical Landscapes October 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
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."