Empire State University Launches New Program with Teach NYS

(Saratoga Springs, NY – June 27, 2023) -- Empire State University announced a new partnership with Teach NYS to promote its M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction to Teach NYS member schools. The partnership will allow grades 3 to 12 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) teachers to get their education at a significantly reduced cost, with application, credential and student fees waived.  

Teach NYS is a division of the Teach Coalition, a non-partisan grassroots organization that advocates for equitable government funding, security and quality education for nonpublic schools. 

"We are happy to help schools benefit even more from NYSED's MST program thanks to this partnership,” said Adam Katz, Associate Director of Government Programs for Teach NYS. “We're proud to partner with Empire State University to offer our member schools a simple, affordable path to increase their government funding, while at the same time, elevating their quality of education.” 

For New York state residents, Empire State University offers tuition reimbursement up to 12 credits to nonpublic teachers, as well as salary incentives for completing their master's degree.  

Their employing schools will also be eligible to reimburse their salaries under the NYSED (New York State Education Department) Mathematics, Science, & Technology Teachers in Religious & Independent Schools Grant (MST).   

Tara Pepis, assistant dean for accreditation, licensure, and partnerships, said: “We are excited to partner with Teach NYS to support their work in solving the tuition crisis facing families throughout New York state.”   

A virtual program launch will be held tomorrow and will be attended by Erica Chew, director of graduate outreach and admissions; Evan Reese, outreach and academic advisement coordinator; Tara Pepis, assistant dean for accreditation, licensure and partnerships; and Heather Reynolds, professor of teacher education. 

“Our partnership with Teach NYS is an exciting opportunity for our university to align with workforce development initiatives, specific to nonpublic schools and their teachers,” said Kelly Mollica, Empire State University’s director of partnerships. “The advantages of our online graduate programs help teachers balance their work and their families’ schedules as they pursue their degree. We are proud to represent the power of SUNY with member schools of Teach NYS.” 

For more information, visit www.teachcoalition.org/mastersprograms.