Nov. 15, 2024
Two faculty members at Ralph Perry Junior High School have been recognized by New York State, for their commitment to professional development in addition to their teaching and counseling responsibilities.
Nickolas Buckley, a mathematics teacher, was selected as a Master Teacher and Bethany Truax, school counselor, was selected as a Master Counselor.
Master Teachers work with students in grades K-12 in the topics of science, technology, computer science, robotics, coding, engineering, math, and integrated STEM. They also must be a certified NYS full-time public school teacher and have at least four years of full-time teaching experience at the time of application. Master Teachers must also be rated “effective” or “highly effective” on their Annual Professional Performance Review.
In addition to their counseling duties and providing academic guidance to students, Master Counselors show leadership and take part in professional organizations. They must be a certified NYS full-time public school counselor for grades K-12 with at least four years of full-time public school counselor experience at the time of the application. Master Counselors must also spend 80% or more of time in direct and indirect services to students. They also have to be rated “effective” or “highly effective” (or equivalent) on their annual district evaluation.
This is the first year for the Master Counselor program, which saw 26 counselors reach the designation.
There are more than 1,700 teachers in the Master Teacher program across the state.
The full 2024 list for New York State is available here.
More information about the programs can be found on the State University of New York website.
Below is a list of Master Teachers and Counselors in the New Hartford Central School district:
Michael Amante
Jason Bradley*
Kathleen Donovan
Frank DuRoss, Jr. *
Emily Emerson
Kayla Foster*
Mark McFarland *
Lisa Meyers*
Christine Raynard, *
Charles Rogan*
Matthew Romanow, *
Eileen Roth*
Kathrine Sfeir*
Kathryn Silvestri*
Gary VonDauber*
*= Master Teacher Emeritus