Three middle school teachers in the Great Neck Public Schools have been named Master Teachers through the New York State Master Teacher Program: Michael DiPasquale, Tobias Hatten, and Donna Plante.
The NYSMTP is a partnership between The State University of New York and Math for America. Master Teachers are recognized for their dedication to providing the most innovative science, technology, engineering and math education to their students, their commitment to professional growth, and their enthusiasm for sharing their successful practices with colleagues.
Michael DiPasquale
Michael DiPasquale has been teaching for 18 years, all of which have been at North Middle School. DiPasquale is currently an eighth-grade earth science teacher and chairs North Middle School’s science department. In addition to teaching, DiPasquale coaches the middle school boys volleyball team and he previously coached middle school football and boys track. DiPasquale earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Stony Brook University and his Master of Arts in Teaching from Queens College. He has also earned an Advanced Certificate Diploma in Educational Leadership from Queens College.
Tobias Hatten
Tobias Hatten has been teaching for nine years, all of which have been with the Great Neck Public Schools. He currently teaches eighth-grade earth science and chairs South Middle School’s science department. From 2010 to 2016, Hatten was a teacher at The Village School. In addition to teaching, Hatten is the advisor of the Earthkeepers/Birding Club at South Middle. Hatten received his Bachelor of Arts in Earth Science from Boston University, as well as a Master of Science in Marine Science and Master of Arts in Teaching Earth Science from Stony Brook University.
Donna Plante
Donna Plante has been teaching for 10 years, nine of which have been at North Middle School. Plante currently teaches eighth-grade earth science, and she previously taught eighth-grade science research at North Middle. In addition to teaching, Plante is a co-advisor for the Science Olympiads and the Environmental Club at North Middle. Plante earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from SUNY Geneseo, a Bachelor of Arts in Geology from SUNY Fredonia, and a Master of Arts in Teaching Earth Science from Stony Brook University.
Each educator selected for the NYSMTP serves as a Master Teacher for four years. During this time, Master Teachers contribute a minimum of 50 hours per year towards NYSMTP programming, which includes receiving professional development, creating professional development materials for STEM educators across the state, and serving as mentors to their colleagues.
The NYSMTP was established in 2013 to advance educators’ knowledge across three domains: knowledge of STEM content; knowledge of pedagogy, or instructional methods; and knowledge of students, their families and their communities.
