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 Selected for the Nation's Highest Award for Science and Math Teachers
January 13, 2025
Master Teacher Program Emeritus Harry O'Malley has been named one of 300 teachers and mentors chosen by President Biden to receive a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).
Established in 1983, PAEMST is the highest award K-12 math and science teachers can receive from the U.S. government. Award recipients over the years represent schools and organizations from all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) schools, and the U.S. territories (American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands).
Nominees complete a rigorous application process to demonstrate deep content knowledge and an ability to adapt to a broad range of learners and teaching environments.
A panel of distinguished mathematicians, scientists, and educators at the state and national levels assess nominations before recommending awardees to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). Teachers are selected based on their distinction in the classroom and dedication to improving STEM education.
Harry works with students at Casey Middle School in the Williamsville Central School District as a math specialist; he also serves as co-director of the Gifted Math Program at the University at Buffalo. Below, Harry discusses his career so far:
"I have dedicated my life to teaching, which has often involved keeping my head down, focusing on the details of the moment, and working to improve and innovate each day. The Presidential Award has allowed me to step back and reflect on all the work I've engaged in and celebrate it. I have worked with and learned from so many incredible educators and students and have been involved with so many projects that make me proud. It has been a pleasure and an honor to be a part of this tradition."
Read more about the PAEMST and see all 300 honorees here, and access Harry O'Malley's official biography here. Congratulations to all awardees!
NYSMTP WESTERN REGION NEWS
Upcoming Professional Development for WNY Teachers
See descriptions of professional development events we are offering in the next few months; please share flyers to these events with colleagues in your district! Find registration links for these events by clicking here.
NYSMTP WNYPTA Workshop Series: March 1st Meeting
The NYSMTP Western New York Physics Teacher Alliance (WNYPTA) is an active community of physics and physical science teachers in the Buffalo Niagara Region. We are teachers sharing ideas, learning together, and creating a professional community of physics and physical science teachers. All meetings are open to physics, physical science, and other interested teachers – free of charge. Upon request CTLE credit for three hours of professional development will be issued to all attendees.
Date: Saturday, March 1; 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
GIS in the Classroom Minicourse
Mary Perrelli, Buffalo State Geosciences Dept.
Spatial thinking, facilitated by Geographic Information Systems (GIS), is an essential skill for STEM education. This workshop introduces educators to the ESRI Education Bundle, a powerful resource available to K-12 schools. Participants will explore GeoInquiries™—brief, standards-based inquiry activities designed to teach map-based content aligned with commonly used textbooks. These activities are accessible even without the ESRI Education Bundle. The workshop will also provide hands-on training in using ArcGIS Online applications such as Survey123 and Story Maps, enabling educators to create engaging, interactive content for their classrooms. Educators are encouraged to access and join their school’s ArcGIS Online site, a topic that will be covered in the first session.
Join us to discover how GIS can transform your teaching and empower students to think spatially!
Dates: March 27, 5 - 7:30pm; April 3, 5 - 7:30pm; April 10, 5 - 7:30pm
GIS in the Classroom Minicourse Flyer
Dr. Bettina Love @ Buffalo State
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."