Middle School Teacher Named to Master Teacher Program

Nancy Claxton, an Amherst Middle School seventh-grade science teacher, has been named a New York State Master Teacher by the State University of New York. The master teacher program is a state-wide professional network of outstanding STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) teachers. As part of the Western New York network, she 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, she said she is excited to be part of this program that requires a four-year commitment in addition to her teaching responsibilities. Through co-hort meetings, various workshops and summer programs, the master teachers collaborate to bring content and instructional best practices back to their classrooms, to mentor education majors at Buffalo State and to inspire students to consider teaching as a career choice.

"I am thrilled and humbled to be working with other Master Teachers," said Mrs. Claxton, who has worked at the middle school for 18 years. "The program will allow us to develop and enrich science learning and to share best practices. Infusing STEM into daily curriculum is crucial to prepare our students so they can become the problem-solvers of the future in our ever-changing world."