Master Counselors

We are delighted that you are interested in joining the New York State Master Teacher Program (NYSMTP) our professional network of outstanding, experienced educational professionals, K-12 classroom teachers and K-12 counselors, dedicated to professional growth and development and to providing the most innovative, engaging and supportive learning environment for their students.

Selected Master Teachers and Master Counselors engage in NYSMTP professional learning opportunities that are co-created by network members and their SUNY counterparts. The professional learning program is grounded in the local context and designed with local expertise to address challenges and provide new opportunities for students.

The NYS Master Teachers and Master Counselors are selected by a rigorous, multi-step application process. Please review the document What Does Being a NYS Master Teacher and Master Counselor Entail? prior to beginning your application. Selected applicants commit to engaging in a minimum number of NYSMTP-Professional Development activities in addition to their district and state requirements, agree to a four-year commitment, and are eligible for annual stipends of $15,000, totaling $60,000.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the New York State Master Teacher program Counselor Applicant, you must:

Be a certified NYS full-time public school counselor, grades K - 12, with at least four years of full-time public school counselor experience at the time of the application, and
Spend 80% or more of time in direct and indirect services to students,
Be rated "effective" or "highly effective" (or equivalent) on your most recent district annual evaluation.

The NYSMTP professional network encourages applications from all eligible K - 12 counselors who meet the above requirements and who also have specialized training and expertise to support students who have been designated dual language or ESL/ELL, or students with disabilities.

The NYSMTP develops knowledge across Three Domains:

Knowledge of Career Development

Master Counselors play a pivotal role in students’ awareness of career opportunities and decisions regarding experiential learning opportunities and the formal course of study to support students’ career interests. The American School Counselor Association recognizes career education begins in kindergarten and is exemplified by students who are knowledgeable about options and are prepared to enroll and succeed in any postsecondary experience without the need for remediation. In collaboration with Master Teachers, Master Counselors can provide a strong support system for students to explore STEM studies and careers.

Knowledge of Academic Development

Master Counselors have extensive training in child development and child psychology and use this expertise to help their students identify their academic interests, to recommend challenging and appropriate courses, and to enhance student engagement and academic performance. As members of their school communities, counselors work both with students and with teachers. Master Counselors are active members of their professional associations and maintain a strong network to broaden the resources available for their work.

Knowledge of Social and Emotional Development

Master Counselors possess a deep knowledge of the foundations, theories, and techniques of school counseling, and are dedicated to keeping their knowledge and skills current to meet the social/emotional needs of their students in the school setting. Particular attention is afforded supports for mental health, family and social issues. Master Counselors are dedicated to addressing racial and societal inequities and access disparities in advanced courses. They are cognizant of school and community perceptions of underrepresented groups' treatment and understand the importance of collaborating with school and community groups to help all students succeed.

Admissions criteria include:

Written Response to Prompts: Applicants will provide responses to a series of prompts. The prompts will be available when the online application platform is accepting applications.
Information about professional activities informed by goals for professional growth and development.
Rating of "effective" or "highly effective" or equivalent on your most recent completed Annual Evaluation.
Three Recommendations: one from your principal or building supervisor, two from colleagues who have recently taught with you. (The recommendation is a short questionnaire that will be sent to the individuals you identify).
Praxis® Subject Assessment (formerly the Praxis II® Content Exam). Please review the Praxis Guide and FAQ for specific information.
Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts uploaded to online application platform for application

Review the three knowledge domains for teachers/counselors and reflect on their teaching/counseling practice through the lens of each domain.
Review the NYSMTP Praxis Guide for K-12 STEM Teachers or for K-12 Counselors and register for an accepted PRAXIS exam following the instructions in the Guide.
Decide on whom to ask for the two colleague recommendations and talk to recommenders about the knowledge domains and what specific examples of the applicant’s teaching/counseling work they could include.
Share with their principal/supervisor the knowledge domains and what specific examples of the applicant’s teaching/counseling work they could include.
Create a list of professional activities, including dates, of the following:
- prior teaching/counseling roles or other related professional experience,
- related professional work, including school/district committee, professional associations, and mentoring experiences,
- leadership and community-facing activities, and
- honors, awards, grants received.
Gather undergraduate and graduate transcripts (Applicants will upload unofficial transcripts to their application.)

The application also includes a section with writing prompts. Instructions and writing prompts will be available when the application opens.

The NYSMTP staff is committed to helping you navigate the application process. If after reviewing the information on this website, you have additional questions, email the staff at masterteacherprogram@suny.edu. Due to the great interest in the NYSMTP, please allow 24-48 hours for a response to your email.