Dr. Mary Barter was an exceptional educational leader during a time when few women held the title of superintendent. The scholarship was initiated to inspire and promote more diversity for those interested in the field of educational leadership. The Dr. Mary Barter Scholarship was renamed to honor Dr. Mary Barter, the first female president of NYSCOSS.
2026 Dr. Mary Barter Scholarship Recipient
Maya Lerner
Library/Media/Educational Technology Department Head
Great Neck North High School, Great Neck UFSD
Maya Lerner, the Library/Media/Educational Technology Department Head at Great Neck North High School in the Great Neck UFSD, is deeply committed to education and the heart of her philosophy is that schools must focus on building skills that last. As technology accelerates in unpredictable ways, she believes students will need more than just knowledge. Students will need agency, a desire to learn, the ability to learn, relearn and adapt.
Her Superintendent Ken Bossert said, “Maya is a consummate educator whose passion, intellect, and innovation have profoundly shaped teaching and learning in the Great Neck Publics Schools and beyond.”
Maya is currently enrolled in the Ed.D. program at Long Island University in their Transformational Leadership program with a focus on Information Science. The Dr. Mary Barter Scholarship will be presented to her at the Tuesday Closing Ideas Keynote at the Winter Institute and is sponsored by Partner Ignite Reading.
2027 Scholarship Process
The scholarship of $2,000 is awarded annually and presented to those individuals enrolled in a graduate study program through which a Doctoral Degree and/or Certification as a School District Administrator. It is presented at our
Winter Institute & Lobby Day.
The Dr. Mary Barter Scholarship Committee, composed of active superintendents, screens all applications against selection criteria and reviews credentials for selection of one candidate in January of each year. Applicants must be nominated by an active superintendent of The Council by sending a
nomination form to Deidre Hungerford. The nomination deadline is on Monday, January 4, 2027 for the 2027 award. Candidates are then responsible for sending all required documentation and the completed application for the award by Friday, January 15, 2027.
Criteria for Selection
- The scholarship was created to encourage diversity among educational leaders. Practicing school superintendents are not eligible.
- Must show promise for success as a school administrator as evidenced by the quality of the candidate’s education, experience, and references.
- Must exhibit promise for leadership as demonstrated by previous success in an administrative or supervisory role (e.g., a teacher who has demonstrated leadership activities, such as a department chairperson).
- Must display readiness to assume an administrative role in the field of education and the likelihood that the candidate will serve in the superintendency during his/ her career.
- Must be currently enrolled in a graduate study program leading to a Doctoral Degree and/or Certification as a School District Administrator.
For details or to nominate a candidate contact:
Deidre G. Hungerford
Associate Director for Business Development
E:
deidre@nyscoss.org
T: 518.694.4885
Twitter: @deehungerford28 #NYSCOSSWell