188 New York State Master Teachers and 24 Master Counselors Added to Statewide Network
New Members Represent 138 School Districts Across the State, Including 35 High Needs Districts Such as Buffalo, Rochester, Utica, Binghamton, and New York City
Application for K-12 STEM Teachers and K-12 Counselors Now Open Through April 8, 2027
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the selection of 188 STEM teachers for the New York State Master Teacher Program, a professional network of more than 1,900 public-school teachers with a passion for inspiring the next generation of educational leaders. Twenty-four counselors were also selected as part of the Master Counselor cohort to serve as mentors for students and early-career educators. The new members represent 138 school districts with a Master Teacher or Master Counselor among their faculty, with 50 program members from high-needs districts including Buffalo, Binghamton, Rochester, Schenectady, Syracuse, Utica, and, for counselors, New York City School Districts.
“New York State is proud to recognize the impact that our extraordinary educators have on students every day,” Governor Hochul said. “Teachers and counselors are integral to preparing students to be future leaders and paving the way for them to achieve their dreams. We are incredibly grateful to the Master Teachers and Master Counselors for their unwavering dedication to educating communities across the state.”
Throughout their four-year participation in the program, Master Teachers and Master Counselors will receive a $15,000 stipend annually; engage in peer mentoring and intensive content-oriented professional development opportunities throughout the academic year; work closely with pre-service and early career teachers and counselors to foster a supportive environment for the next generation of STEM teachers and counselors; and attend required regional meetings to participate in and lead professional development sessions each year. This builds on Governor Hochul’s Back to Basics efforts to ensure students are receiving high quality math instruction. The application process for the next cohort is open now through April 8, 2027. Interested applicants can review the eligibility requirements and attend an information session with program staff.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “As New York State’s largest preparer of the next generation of educators, SUNY is proud to support teachers and counselors that exemplify our commitment to student success. Thank you to Governor Hochul for prioritizing initiatives that help educators reach their full potential and congratulations to this year’s cohort of Master Counselors and Master Teachers.”
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, “With steadfast leadership from Governor Hochul, SUNY is equipping the next generation of education leaders with vital resources and supporting New Yorkers as they pursue academic excellence. We extend our sincerest congratulations to the 2026 cohort of Master Teachers and Master Counselors and commend their commitment to preparing students for bright futures.”
New York State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, “Great teachers and counselors do more than impart knowledge. They inspire curiosity, foster creativity, build confidence, and help students recognize their full potential. That commitment is at the heart of NY Inspires, our statewide effort to transform teaching and learning and ensure every student graduates with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to succeed. The Master Teachers and Master Counselors recognized today are exactly the kind of innovative, dedicated educators who will help bring that vision to life. I congratulate this year’s honorees and thank them for their leadership, their commitment to excellence, and the extraordinary difference they make in the lives of New York’s students every day.”
Master Teachers support students in grades K-12 in the areas of science, technology, computer science, robotics, coding, engineering, math, integrated STEM, and agricultural education.
More than 60 percent of the new members have been in the classroom for more than ten years, and one third have been teaching for 18 or more years. The incoming group of Master Teachers is comprised of 31 percent elementary level teachers, 65 teachers with multiple teaching certifications, 26 teachers certified in Students with Disabilities, seven teachers who hold a TESOL or Bilingual Education Extension and eight are teachers in the Career and Technical Education content areas of Agriculture, Computer Science and Technology Education.
The Master Counselors are active members of their professional associations serving in leadership roles and support students through the multiple transitions in their lives: from elementary to middle to high school and from secondary school to career paths. More than half of the 2026 Master Counselors have been in a counseling role for longer than twelve years, with seven serving elementary grade students. Two members of the 2026 cohort hold a Work-Based Learning certification.
Master Teachers and Master Counselors serve in various district-level and state-level roles, joining the program as experienced leaders dedicated to developing and sharing best practices. They are often identified as mentors for students and early-career teachers and counselors. Many new members have been recognized by district and community organizations for their work with students, and 40 new members have been awarded grants for materials to enhance learning experiences for their students.
The Master Teacher Program is hosted at nine SUNY campuses to leverage the expertise of the University's faculty and existing educator preparation programs, and SUNY counterparts collaborate regularly with local STEM career and industry experts.
The total number of teachers and counselors selected from each region, and the respective partner SUNY campus, are:
- Capital Region, The State University of New York at Albany: 271 Master Teachers and 8 Master Counselors
- Southern Tier, The State University of New York at Binghamton: 316 Master Teachers and 11 Master Counselors
- Long Island, The State University of New York at Stony Brook: 328 Master Teachers and 9 Master Counselors
- Western New York, Buffalo State University: 358 Master Teachers and 12 Master Counselors
- Central New York, SUNY Cortland: 301 Master Teachers and 6 Master Counselors
- Finger Lakes, SUNY Geneseo: 346 Master Teachers and 9 Master Counselors
- Mid-Hudson, SUNY New Paltz: 304 Master Teachers and 14 Master Counselors
- Mohawk Valley, SUNY Oneonta: 198 Master Teachers and 8 Master Counselors
- North Country, SUNY Plattsburgh: 162 Master Teachers and 12 Master Counselors
- New York City: 185 Master Teachers (in partnership with Math for America) and 13 Master Counselors