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.
To be eligible for the New York State Master Teacher program, you must:
AND
For K-6 teachers:
You are teacher of record* for Science, Technology/Computer Science, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) content.
* Teacher of record: A teacher with a regular schedule and a consistent roster of students. The teacher is responsible for curriculum, instruction, and assessing student learning.
For 7-12 teachers:
One of two options:
OR
The NYSMTP professional network extends to include eligible K -12 teachers who also have specialized training and expertise to support STEM instruction for students who have been designated dual language or ESL/ELL, or students with disabilities. We encourage applications from NYS teachers who meet all of our eligibility criteria and
Master Teachers have been exposed to and grappled with ideas that are central to their Science, Technology/Computer Science, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline at advanced levels, beyond the level at which they teach. Like any STEM professionals, however, they view their knowledge as incomplete. The Master Teacher Program offers professional learning focused on advanced levels of STEM content allowing Master Teachers to enrich their own content learning and to build connections across disciplines.
Master Teachers have a deep understanding of professional knowledge for teaching and strive to incorporate successful practices in their work. They continually evaluate, refine, and adapt their practice to better meet the needs of their students.
Master Teachers possess a deep knowledge of their students, within and beyond the classroom. They use this knowledge - which includes understanding of students' neighborhoods, cultures, and values - to inform their curricular and pedagogical choices. Master Teachers have collaborated across districts and regions and with members of their communities to address challenges such as local and global environmental issues and increasing opportunities for underrepresented populations in STEM fields.
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.
The deadline to submit a cohort 2026 application was May 21st, 2026 at 5:00PM.
If you have any questions or need any assistance, please contact the NYS Master Teacher Program office at masterteacherprogram@suny.edu.
