New York state provides an opportunity for teachers to further develop their expertise in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields by applying to be part of its prestigious New York State Master Teacher Program.
Currently, 14 Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District teachers have been selected to be part of the program.
“Being involved in the Master Teacher Program has truly been a life-changing experience,” said Jodi Yudin, a J-D Middle School sixth-grade math and English language arts teacher. “The quality of the professional development has truly been exceptional.”
The Master Teacher program engages participants in peer mentoring and intensive content-oriented professional development opportunities, including regional cohort meetings in which the teachers participate in, and lead, several professional development sessions annually.
In 2013, Cuomo, in partnership with The State University of New York and Math for America, created the Master Teacher Program. Through a rigorous application and selection process, the program highlights teachers across the state who are focused on continued growth in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education, according to the state’s Master Teacher website.
The four-year program develops teachers’ knowledge across three domains: content; pedagogy; and students, their families and their communities.
The Master Teacher Program is split into nine regions and hosted at a SUNY campus to leverage the expertise of the university’s faculty and existing educator preparation programs, according to the state. The Central New York Region, which includes J-D, is hosted at SUNY Cortland.
Throughout their four-year participation in the program, Master Teachers:
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Receive a $15,000 stipend annually;
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Engage in peer mentoring and content-oriented professional development;
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Work closely with pre-service and early career teachers to foster a supportive environment for the next generation of STEM teachers; and
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Attend required regional meetings at their SUNY campus, participate in and lead several professional development sessions each year.
Of the 14 J-D teachers on the state’s list of Master Teachers, eight hold the title of Master Teacher Emeritus, meaning they have completed the program and may continue to participate in the Master Teacher network locally and statewide.
J-D Master Teachers
- Molly Anthony: Mathematics; J-D Middle School
- Charles Clinton, Master Teacher Emeritus: Mathematics; J-D High School
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Keith Comfort: Science; J-D High School
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Anna Endreny: Science; J-D Middle School
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Theresa Groman, Master Teacher Emeritus: Science; J-D High School
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Dawn Janicki, Master Teacher Emeritus: Mathematics; J-D High School
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Elise Jutzeler: Science; J-D High School
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Michael Klemperer, Master Teacher Emeritus: Mathematics J-D High School
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Jay Lang, Master Teacher Emeritus: Mathematics; J-D High School
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Sarah Levesque: Science; J-D Middle School
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Nancy Raicht, Master Teacher Emeritus: Science; J-D High School
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Kevin Sommer, Master Teacher Emeritus: Science; J-D High School
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Elizabeth Wood, Master Teacher Emeritus: Mathematics; J-D High School
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Jodi Yudin: Mathematics; J-D Middle School