MADRID -- A teacher with the Madrid-Waddington Central School District was recently named a New York State Master Teacher, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Michelle Bresett was the only St. Lawrence County educator out of 215 teachers statewide to receive the honor.

Those with the master teacher distinction will participate in creating professional development workshop curricula for other teachers in so-called STEM fields (science, math, technology and engineering).

“The Master Teacher Program allows for our brightest STEM educators to share their experience and knowledge with their colleagues, furthering student success and helping to improve college readiness across the state,” SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher said in a news release.

Master teachers will receive a $15,000 per-year stipend to participate in the program for four years. They will assist with peer-mentoring, professional development and work with up-and-coming teachers.

The first master teacher development conference will be Aug. 15.

"The Master Teacher Program creates a community of teacher experts dedicated to providing a first-rate learning experience for students across New York, and contributes to our efforts to attract and retain the best and the brightest in our STEM classrooms," Cuomo said in a statement. "Investing in our teachers is investing in our students, and I am pleased to welcome and congratulate 215 additional outstanding teachers to this program, who have already proven to be some of the highest-performing professionals in their field."