Broadalbin-Perth Jr./Sr. High School teachers Julie Power and Ana Ventre have been named New York State Master Teachers.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo launched the New York State Master Teacher Program in 2013 in partnership with The State University of New York and Math for America. The NYS Master Teacher Program’s professional network includes eligible K – 12 STEM and computer science teachers.
The New York State Master Teacher Program is a vibrant network of more than 1,400 outstanding public school teachers throughout the state who share a passion for their own STEM learning and for collaborating with colleagues to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.
JULIE POWER:
Power, a B-P Senior High School math teacher applied to the NYS Master Teachers program in 2018. Due to a delay cause by the Covid-19 pandemic, Julie was not able to interview for the program until September 2021. In February of 2022, she was accepted into the program.
Power said the application process was challenging but it allowed her to work on research close to her heart. Ultimately, the work she submitted to meet the program requirements was work that she was proud of. Power said she is ready for the next steps of the program so she can continue to always learn and grow in her career.
“The professional development is an amazing opportunity and the ability to work with other talented teachers is exciting,” Power said. “The fact that the community and the teachers in this area support me, that part really hasn’t sunk in yet because in my mind I’m just trying to do my job to the best of my ability.”
ANA VENTRE:
Ventre has been teaching seventh grade math for more than 15 years and is in her fifth year teaching at B-P.
Ventre was accepted into the NYS Master Teachers Program in February.
“I like to keep things fresh when teaching,” Ventre said. “You need to be willing to learn and try new things.”
To become a Master Teacher, the program requires a thorough examination of each teacher’s portfolio of work, along with interviews. Ventre said she is a little overwhelmed with the process but is excited for the future and the opportunity to develop in her career. Ventre offered advice for anyone thinking of trying something new or challenging.
“You won’t get everything you want on the first go around and that’s normal in life,” she said.” ‘No’ rarely means no, and if it is something you really want, go for it.”