5 Smithtown Educators Named NYS Master Teachers

SMITHTOWN, NY — Five educators from Smithtown are among 230 statewide who were recognized as Master Teachers by Gov. Kathy Hochul, the school district announced in a news release.

Accompsett Middle School’s Allison Fitzpatrick and Melissa May, as well as St. James
Elementary's Brian Cusati, have been newly selected to join AMS's Amy Olander and Smithtown High School West’s Kimberly Williams, who continue to be part of the cohort.

The Master Teachers are dedicated professionals who teach science, technology, computer science, robotics, coding, engineering, math and integrated STEM courses across grades K-12.

The selected Master Teachers have taught an average of 15 years. More than 81 percent have been in the classroom for more than a decade, and 26 percent have been teaching for more than 20 years, according to the Smithtown Central School District.

All Master Teachers are active beyond their classrooms, serving as curriculum and department leaders or members of district-and state-level committees, as well as mentor teachers for student and early career teachers.

Many new members have been awarded grants for school STEM resources. They are sponsors of Science Olympiad competitions, summer STEM camps, school gardens, robotics teams, coding clubs, community service organizations and PTO members or officers.

The Master Teachers hold leadership roles in New York state STEM professional associations and lead professional development workshops for regional and statewide educator conferences. Many of the 230 Master Teachers have been recognized for outstanding service by their peers, local communities or professional associations.

"New York's Master Teacher program has long celebrated the immense talent across our state, recognizing the leaders in STEM education who inspire students and their peers alike," SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley stated via news release. "During this particularly
challenging time in our history, we appreciate our teachers even more for keeping their students engaged and succeeding in their classwork."