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
AMTNYS Regional Award Winner, Erin McClure
Erin McClure was recognized at the 75th Annual AMTNYS Conference as the Region A Regional Award Winner. Awardees are recognized for their collaboration, service, and impact on the profession of mathematics teaching.
Anton Banko Excellence in Elementary Science Teacher of the Year Award Winner, Bridget Lyon
Bridget Lyon was awarded the Anton Banko Excellence in Elementary Science Teacher of the Year Award at the 2025 STANYS Conference. This award recognizes a New York State K-6 teacher for demonstrated excellence in the teaching of elementary science.
Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State Conference
Western New York Master Teachers facilitated Learning Sessions and Minicourses at the 75th Annual AMTNYS Conference.
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.
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.
Physics Teacher Outreach
Teachers will share their experiences from STANYS Conference and will provide a Physics Olympics event update. Then, we have invited Dave Fish, PI Facilitates Quantum Dots, as our guest speaker. Quantum Technology provides a concrete and engaging introduction to the basic ideas of quantum mechanics. This resource features a variety of quantum technologies, and includes a video on quantum computers designed to bring quantum to your classroom. Lastly, Photon Energy Make and take use LED finger lights to excite glow in the dark vinyl.
Dates: Saturday, December 13th, 9am-12pm
Location: Buffalo State University, Science & Math Complex 357
Physics Teacher Outreach Registration
Physics Teacher Outreach Flyer
Adventuring with Arduinos
Jessie Perison
Dates: Tuesday and Thursday, January 13th and 15th; 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: Buffalo State University, Science & Math Complex 357
Computational Thinking & AI Literacy: Physical Computing
Christina O'Malley
From there, teachers explore simple physical computing challenges that connect directly to P–8 math concepts such as operations, measurement, geometry, and data. Participants will also learn practical ways to integrate age-appropriate AI literacy—such as checking AI outputs, discussing bias, and using AI to support brainstorming—while maintaining a focus on critical thinking and student agency.
All activities align with the NYS Computer Science & Digital Fluency Standards, including Computational Thinking, Digital Literacy, Impacts of Computing, and Networks and System design. The course maintains a low-floor, high-ceiling approach, offering accessible entry points for beginners and meaningful extensions for more experienced teachers.
No prior experience is required. Participants will need a laptop for this course.
Dates: Tuesday and Thursday, January 13th and 15th; 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: Buffalo State University, Science & Math Complex 266
Computational Thinking Minicourse Flyer
Mathematical Landscapes in Practice: Number Sense, Addition & Subtraction - Pedagogical Moves to Create a Learning Community in Grades K-8
Denea Czapla and Rachael Burke
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.
January’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 number sense, addition and subtraction throughout grades K-8. Sessions will feature mathematical models and tools for thinking, including number bonds, number lines, Building Thinking Classroom principles, number strings, and more. Real world contexts and situations will be used as we consider how to best develop students’ conceptual understanding, mathematical identity, and a supportive, nurturing classroom community.
Dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays, January 13th, 15th, 20th, and 22nd; 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: Buffalo State University, Science & Math Complex 259
Mathematical Landscapes Registration
Science Content Minicourse: Electricity and Energy
Dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays, January 13th, 15th, 20th, and 22nd; 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: Buffalo State University, Science & Math Complex 257
Science Content Minicourse Flyer
Preparing for NYSSLS Assessments and Required Investigations
As teachers begin to shift their instructional practice to meet the NYS Science Learning Standards, an important focus should also be on assessing student achievement of those standards. This workshop will provide teachers and administrators with insight into best practices for 9-12 classroom- level assessment as well as updates on state-level assessments.
Participants will explore the newly released Chemistry & Physics Investigations designed to provide multiple measures of student performance throughout the 9-12 grade band. Participants will also collaborate to determine best practices for implementing the investigations.
Date: Saturday, January 17th, 9am-2pm
Location: Buffalo State University, SAMC 259
Buffalo Math Collaborative
Dr. Kara Imm
A professional learning community of K- 9 teachers and leaders, across grand bands, schools, and districts who come together to:
- Design learning experiences for kids, study them in real time, and reflect on what and how mathematical learning is happening
- Deepen the mathematical pedagogical content knowledge needed for teaching (our own mathematics + how children make sense of mathematics)
- Share ideas in a space designed to build on teachers’ love of kids and math (#lovekidslovemath)
- Provide a model for empowering our students mathematically through cognitively demanding tasks and routines that feature equitable access and that foster student agency, ownership, and identity.
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Willow Ridge Elementary
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Union East Elementary
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Maryvale Middle School
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Amherst Middle School
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Sweet Home Middle School
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Cleveland Hill Middle School
Buffalo Math Collaborative Flyer
Developing and Using Models to Explore Systems in Biology
HHMI BioInteractive
Using the phenomenon of lactase persistence, participants will engage in a series of BioInteractive activities aimed at helping students understand the connection between genetic inheritance and metabolic function. We will explore how developing and using models allows students to understand a biological system from multiple scales. Educators will explore a variety of data analysis and literacy strategies to support student learning.
This workshop is for teachers who teach any level of high school biology (introductory, AP/IB, etc.). Middle school teachers, particularly 8th grade life science teachers, are also welcome to attend. Participants should bring laptops or tablets to fully engage in the workshop. All HHMI BioInteractive resources are free to students, teachers, and districts.
Date: Saturday, February 7th, 9am-3pm
Location: Buffalo State University, SAMC 257
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."