Two Amherst Middle School Teachers Selected as NYS Master Teachers

Two Amherst Middle School teachers have been selected to participate in the New York State Master Teacher Program, Western Region, by the State University of New York. 

Mary Newman, a sixth grade math teacher, and William Schupp, a technology teacher, were selected for the 2025 cohort of 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.

Mr. Schupp decided to apply to the NYS Master Teacher Program because he had heard about it for years and finally decided to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity available for STEM teachers.

“I look forward to participating in the New York State Master Teacher Program to collaborate with fellow science and mathematics educators, strengthen interdisciplinary connections, and continue refining and expanding Technology and Engineering curricula within the district,” he said.

Ms. Newman applied to the New York State Master Teacher Program because she is always looking for ways to grow as a teacher and improve the learning experiences she creates for her students. “Teaching math is about more than content. It is about helping students build confidence, take risks, and see themselves as capable problem-solvers, she said. “The Master Teacher Program gives me the chance to learn alongside other educators, reflect on my practice, and bring new ideas back to my classroom and school. I am excited to continue learning and collaborating in ways that support both my students and colleagues.”

With the addition of Ms. Newman and Mr. Schupp, Amherst CSD has 18 teachers who have been named to the New York State Master Teacher program. Currently in the four-year program are:

• Kim King, a math teacher at Amherst Central High School
• 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.