Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced the selection of 188 STEM teachers and 24 counselors for New York State’s Master Teacher and Master Counselor programs. The Master Teacher Program is a professional network of more than 1,900 public-school teachers, according to the Governor’s Office.
The new members represent 138 school districts. The announcement says the group includes educators from 35 high-needs districts such as Buffalo, Rochester, Utica, Binghamton, and New York City. The Governor’s Office also said 50 program members are 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. She said teachers and counselors are integral to preparing students to be future leaders.
Participants receive a $15,000 stipend each year during four years in the program. They engage in peer mentoring and intensive, content-focused professional development; work with pre-service and early-career educators; and attend required regional meetings to participate in and lead sessions, the Governor’s Office said. The announcement said this builds on Governor Hochul’s Back to Basics efforts to ensure high quality math instruction.
The Governor’s Office said more than 60 percent of the new Master Teachers have been in the classroom for more than 10 years, and one third have taught for 18 or more years. The incoming Master Teacher group includes 31 percent elementary-level teachers, 65 with multiple certifications, 26 certified in Students with Disabilities, seven with TESOL or Bilingual Education Extensions, and eight in Career and Technical Education areas of Agriculture, Computer Science, and Technology Education. More than half of the 2026 Master Counselors have served in counseling roles for longer than 12 years, with seven serving elementary grade students and two holding Work-Based Learning certification.
The announcement said Master Teachers support K-12 students in science, technology, computer science, robotics, coding, engineering, math, integrated STEM, and agricultural education. Master Counselors serve in professional leadership roles and support student transitions from elementary through secondary school and into career paths. Many new members have been recognized by district and community organizations, and 40 new members have been awarded grants for materials to enhance student learning, the Governor’s Office said.
The Master Teacher Program is hosted at nine State University of New York campuses, with SUNY partners collaborating with local STEM career and industry experts. SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said SUNY is “proud to support teachers and counselors that exemplify our commitment to student success.” New York City participates in partnership with Math for America, according to the announcement.
Applications for the next cohort of K-12 STEM teachers and K-12 counselors are open through April 8, 2027. Interested applicants can review eligibility requirements and attend an information session with program staff, the Governor’s Office said.
