ACHS Math Teacher, Kimberly King, Named a NYS Master Teacher

Kimberly King, an Amherst Central High School math teacher, has been selected to participate in the New York State Master Teacher Program, Western Region, by the State University of New York. She becomes the 16th ACSD faculty member to be selected for this state-wide professional network of outstanding science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teachers. Master Teachers are the highest-performing STEM teachers who join together as an expert community dedicated to developing one another's expertise in the areas of content, pedagogy, and students’ families and communities.

King teaches algebra 2, AP Precalculus and AP Statistics.

“I decided to apply to the NYS Master Teacher Program because the opportunity to learn from other teachers from other districts was so enticing,” she said. “Our district has always been incredibly supportive of our teachers working together as a team toward our goals - being a master teacher is an extension of that chance to work with other professionals to learn and share great ideas.”

The existing master teachers at Amherst CSD provided her with support and guidance throughout the application process, from the initial encouragement to apply to sharing their own experiences. They also took time to help her prepare for the interview and put the final touches on her presentation. 

“Our Amherst master teachers were a critical part of my process and acceptance into the program,” she said. “As other master teachers have done for me, I hope to be able to share new ideas and techniques that I gain from being a part of this program to enhance and deepen student learning and understanding. The opportunity to learn from other teacher's perspectives will allow me to make better connections to the student's in our district and help me become a better teacher to our Amherst students.”

“I am very excited to be a part of the NYS Master Teacher Program and eager to continue learning from other motivated teachers,” she said. “I am ready to implement new ideas with my classroom and can't wait to see how I can further impact our Amherst students.”

With the addition of Ms. King, Amherst CSD has 16 teachers who have been named to the New York State Master Teacher program. Currently in the four-year program are:

• Christina Randazzo, a fourth-grade teacher at Windermere Boulevard Elementary
• Garrett Kensy, a math teacher at Amherst Central High School,
• Michael Milliman, a fifth-grade teacher at Smallwood Drive Elementary
• Stephen Johnson, a seventh-grade math teacher at Amherst Middle School
• Deanna Castle-Hebeler, a first-grade teacher at Smallwood Drive Elementary
• Christopher Kensy, an algebra teacher at Amherst Central High School

The following are Master Teacher Emeritus, a title given to those who successfully complete four years as a NYS Master Teacher:

• Amy Sorrentino, an Algebra 2 Regents and Precalculus Regents teacher at Amherst Central High School
• Krista Jones, an eighth-grade math and Algebra Honors teacher at Amherst Middle School
• Lori Chittenden, a first-second grade teacher at Smallwood Drive Elementary School
• Kristen Shouldice, a second-grade teacher at Windermere Boulevard Elementary School
• Jamie Cinelli, kindergarten teacher at Smallwood Drive Elementary School
• Erik Zobel, a physics teacher at Amherst Central High School
• Jill Zobel, kindergarten teacher at Smallwood Drive Elementary School
• Nancy Claxton, a seventh-grade science teacher at Amherst Middle School
• Dr. Stephanie Reddien, a math teacher at Amherst Central High School

The Master Teachers program was created in 2013 and there are a total of 1,400 NYS Master Teachers across the state. As part of the Western New York network, new master teachers will work with other master teachers from local school districts and future teachers studying at Buffalo State College to develop and share STEM content knowledge. Chosen through an intensive selection process, the program requires a four-year commitment in addition to their classroom teaching responsibilities. Through cohort meetings, various workshops and summer programs, the master teachers collaborate to bring content and instructional best practices back to their ACSD classrooms, to mentor education majors at Buffalo State and to inspire Amherst CSD students to consider teaching as a career choice.