STEM Masters

UAlbany Welcomes 37 Area Teachers to the State Master Teacher Program

UAlbany's School of Education is a host school for Master Teachers — exceptional middle and high school STEM teachers selected to receive additional professional development to bring back to their home schools.

ALBANY, N.Y. (Feb. 15, 2017) – The University at Albany’s School of Education on Tuesday welcomed 37 newly designated Master Teachers to the Capital Region cohort of the New York State Master Teacher Program (NYSMTP).

Master Teachers are high-performing middle and high school Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics (STEM) teachers, selected through a rigorous process of qualification, nomination and interview. University at Albany is one of nine SUNY campuses that, along with Math for America, serve as hosts for regional Master Teacher Programs, offering professional development as well as opportunities to collaborate with faculty and each other, and tap into the University’s resources.

“The Master Teachers demonstrate infectious energy, creativity and professionalism,” said School of Education Dean Robert Bangert-Drowns. “It’s a joy to gather with them and exciting to see their enthusiasm for STEM, for their students, and for the future of education. They are a powerful force for growing a new generation of scientists, engineers, and mathematicians in New York State.”

The Master Teachers program began in 2013 when Gov. Andrew Cuomo partnered with the State University of New York and Math for America. The program is designed to foster the highest-performing STEM teachers by offering rich professional development and support opportunities, and to return them to their schools where they can in turn foster STEM students and share their expertise with colleagues.

“Introducing motivated teachers to like-minded professionals and high-quality growth experiences keeps the best teachers in the classroom,” according to the NYSMTP website.

The newly admitted teachers bring the total of STEM instructors designated as master teachers in the Capital Region to 108. “These teachers already go above and beyond; they are constantly seeking out new ways to learn about their subject areas and to become more effective teachers for their students,” said Jennifer Hogan, site coordinator for the Capital Region NYS Master Teacher Program. “Their commitment to education is extraordinary.”

The 37 new Master Teachers in the Capital Region are:

• Yvonne Anderson, Glens Falls City School District
• John Balet, Ballston Spa Central School District
• Erin Bell, Saratoga Springs City School District
• Jason Brechko, Glens Falls City School District
• Andre Castagna, Albany City School District
• Annie Chien, Schenectady School District
• Margaret Dolen, Bethlehem Central School District
• Erin Erickson, Albany City School District
• Matthew Glogowski, Ballston Spa Central School District
• Laura Grooten, North Colonie Central School District
• Stephanie Haigney, Queensbury School District
• Sarah Halbig, Shenendehowa School District
• Sean Higgins, Cairo-Durham Central School District
• Melissa Hirt, Albany City School District
• Jessica Hladik, East Greenbush School District
• Christopher Hood, Shenendehowa School District
• Meagan Hughes, Niskayuna School District
• Darlene Hunter, Averill Park Central School District
• Jennifer Jaskolka, Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk School District
• Christopher Jennings, Niskayuna School District
• Mary Mann, South Glens Falls School District
• Kaitlin McGann, Schodack School District
• Ank Meuwissen, Ballston Spa Central School District
• Mary Ann Nickloy, Rotterdam-Mohonasen School District
• Michelle Nowak, Hudson School District
• Jennifer Phillips-Krakat, North Colonie Central School District
• Jennifer Plourde, Saratoga Springs City School District
• Amanda Powers, Cohoes City School District
• Andrew Quell, Shenendehowa School District
• Christopher Reddy, Averill Park Central School District
• Jamie Rowe, Bethlehem Central School District
• John Scrivo, Saratoga Springs City School District
• Stacey Sebert, South Colonie Central School District
• Daniel Swan, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District
• Karen Wells, North Colonie Central School District
• Connie Woytowich, South Colonie Central School District
• Margot Wyan, Albany City School District

Instructors who participate in the Master Teacher Program engage in professional development opportunities throughout the academic year; work closely with pre-service and early career teachers to foster a supportive environment for the next generation of STEM teachers; and receive a $15,000 stipend per year over four years for participation in the program (total compensation of $60,000 per fellow).

The NYSMTP is accepting applications for the next round of Master Teachers. In order to qualify for the program, Master Teachers must:

• Hold NYS teacher certification and be employed as a secondary teacher in a NYS public school
• Have at least four years of full-time teaching experience at the time of applying
• Teach at least 60 percent of time in the STEM subjects
• Receive a rating of “effective” or “highly effective” on their annual Professional Performance Review

Additional information about the program is available at www.suny.edu/masterteacher.

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