Red Jacket Educator Selected for Prestigious NYS Master Teacher Program

Red Jacket Middle School science teacher Dale Carrigan has been selected as one of just 177 STEM educators statewide to participate in the New York State Master Teacher Program—a highly competitive, four-year professional learning initiative designed to strengthen STEM education across New York.

The Master Teacher Program is hosted at nine State University of New York (SUNY) campuses and brings together outstanding STEM educators to collaborate with university faculty, pre-service teachers, early-career educators, and local STEM industry experts. Participants receive a $15,000 annual stipend from New York State and engage in intensive, content-focused professional development, peer mentoring, and regional leadership opportunities throughout the academic year.

The application process for the program is rigorous and multi-step. Candidates must have at least five years of teaching experience, with the majority of their workload in STEM instruction. Applicants complete a detailed written application, secure professional references, and demonstrate how they have continued to grow their content knowledge beyond the classroom while supporting students and families in their community. Finalists are then invited to an in-person interview, where they are evaluated on classroom practice and collaboration with fellow educators.

For Carrigan, the process began last January and concluded with the official announcement on Christmas Eve, making it a year-long journey.

Carrigan is currently in his ninth year of teaching and his fifth year at Red Jacket. He has taught both middle and high school science, primarily at the middle school level, and has experience teaching life science and physical science. He earned his undergraduate degree from St. John Fisher University and his master’s degree from Buffalo State College. Carrigan also received tenure at Red Jacket last year.

“I’ve always been passionate about science,” Carrigan said. “I started substitute teaching while I was in college and quickly realized this could be a great career. I love teaching kids and helping inspire the next generation of science thinkers.”

That passion is what motivated Carrigan to apply for the Master Teacher Program. Through the program’s regional cohorts, he has been able to connect with STEM educators from across the state and gain access to meaningful professional learning that he is already incorporating into his classroom.

Participants in the program are required to complete 50 hours of professional development each year through presenting or attending sessions. Upon completion of the four-year program, participants officially earn the title of New York State Master Teacher.

Carrigan strongly encourages other STEM educators to consider applying. “It’s a great experience and an incredible opportunity to grow as an educator,” he said.

Red Jacket congratulates Dale Carrigan on this outstanding achievement and looks forward to the continued impact of his work in the classroom and beyond.