Attention Teachers*! Do you:

• Hold a valid professional license or certificate?
• Have a minimum of seven years teaching experience?
• Work a minimum of 120 days during the current school year?
• Work under a teaching contract?
• Want to receive three CEUs?

If so, then you are eligible to apply for Master Teacher Designation!
*Teachers and other instructional personnel working outside of traditional classroom roles and core academic areas are eligible to apply.
 
 
A master teacher demonstrates excellence inside and outside of the classroom through consistent leadership and focused collaboration to maximize student learning. A master teacher strives for distinguished teaching and continued professional growth as specified by the Standards for Ohio Teachers.

The Master Teacher program allows teachers to demonstrate their practice based on the Ohio Standards for the Teaching Profession. Now that it is a recognized path for an advanced-level educator license in Ohio, it provides even stronger motivation for teachers to complete the program.

To be designated as a Master Teacher in Ohio, eligible educators must clearly demonstrate each of the following criteria as described in the Ohio Standards for the Teaching Profession. Master Teachers will achieve exemplary scores in four of five areas on the scoring guide:

• Consistent Leadership
• Focused Collaboration
• Distinguished Teaching - Focus on Students and Environment
• Distinguished Teaching - Focus on Content, Instruction, and Assessment
• Continued Professional Growth

Successful completion of the Master Teacher program will satisfy one of the requirements for an advanced license:

Senior Professional Educator License requirements:

• Master’s Degree
• Nine years of teaching experience
• Successful completion of the Master Teacher Program
   

Lead Professional Educator License requirements:

• Master’s Degree
• Nine years of teaching experience
• National Board Certification OR Teacher Leader Endorsement with successful completion of the Master Teacher Program

Initial Candidates must: complete application, checklist and narrative*, submit supporting evidence*, acquire two recommendations (links are below)

Renewal Candidates must: complete required forms, submit written reflection (four pages)*, submit three pieces of evidence* (links are below)

*All submissions must follow the CCS Formatting, Assembling and Submission Directions as well as the CCS Anonymity Guidelines (see links below)

Important Dates: 

The 2024-25 SY informational meeting will be held on December 11, 2024, at 4:15p.m. at 889 East 17th Avenue.  

The 2024-25 SY deadline for both initial and renewal applications is Friday, April 4, 2025.

The 2024-25 SY application review meeting will be held in April 2025 at 889 East 17th Avenue; date TBD.

Successful candidates will receive three CEUs upon completion of their initial Master Teacher Program.

CANVAS COURSE AVAILABLE:  To assist you in navigating the requirements, please join the (optional) Master Teacher Canvas Course.

If you have questions, please contact Stacie Dieffenderfer at Professional Learning and Licensure at 380-997-5784 or via email Stacie at sdieffenderfer4400@columbus.k12.oh.us. 

For Scoring Guides, Examples of Evidence, etc., see SBOE’s Master Teacher website.