A MASTER AT HIS CRAFT

Hauppauge School District is proud to announce that Mike Foley has been named a New York State Master Teacher. Foley has been teaching in the District for the past 16 years. He currently teaches chemistry, Earth science and forensic science at the high school.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo launched the New York State Master Teacher Program (NYSMTP) to respond to the call to strengthen our nation’s K-12 STEM – science, technology, engineering and math – education. In partnership with The State University of New York and Math for America, the program creates a state-wide network of the highest performing STEM teachers that are dedicated to sharing expertise with peers and to attracting the brightest students to careers in STEM.

Educators state-wide apply for and are accepted into the Master Teachers Program based upon their classroom teaching skills as well as on their commitment to enhanced professional development in three key areas:

●Knowledge of content: Master Teachers have been exposed to and have grappled with ideas that are central to their discipline at advanced levels. Like any STEM professionals, however, they view their knowledge as incomplete.

●Knowledge of pedagogy: 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.

●Knowledge of students: Master Teachers possess a deep knowledge of their students’ neighborhoods, cultures and values. They see a student’s family and community as resources in their efforts to inspire them to study STEM disciplines.

As a Master Teacher, Foley will receive a stipend and will be required to engage in professional development activities in addition to his regular school responsibilities over the next four years. He will meet regularly (evenings and weekends) to participate in activities that lead to individual and collective professional growth with other Master Teachers. He will have opportunities to take mini-courses – addressing such topics as student research and emerging STEM subjects such as climate change and hydro-fracturing – as well as to engage in leadership workshops to better contribute to departmental discussions and to mentor early career and pre-service teachers. He also will participate in the Empire State STEM Learning Network through regional STEM hubs, partnering with local businesses and agencies to better prepare students for STEM careers.

“We want the best possible teachers in every New York classroom educating our children. As part of the state’s work to transform our education system and to put students first, we are committed to investing in great teachers to educate our students and to create a highly-trained workforce to drive our future economy,” stated Governor Cuomo. “This program will reward those teachers who work harder to make the difference and whose students perform better as a result.”