Your Career

Support every step of the way - before, at the start, and during your leadership journey. 

About this section...

Explore the many ways The Council & LEAF, Inc. can help advance your career and achieve your goals.

Cabinet-Level Programs

Questions?

Contact:
Vreneli G. Banks
Associate Director / Director of LEAF, Inc.
E: vren@nyscoss.org
T:  (518) 694-4875
LEAF, Inc. strives to find new ways to support today's education leaders and tomorrow's future superintendents. This work is led by the Cabinet Planning committee to gauge the current needs of the field. Cabinet-level programs provide assistant superintendents, principals and directors with a supportive learning community to network and participate in customized opportunities for professional growth. We offer the following programs throughout the year:

  • Aspiring Superintendents Workshops: The Aspiring Superintendents Workshop is a one-day program for school leaders with an interest in learning more about the superintendency. Topics include an overview of the superintendency as a career; instructional and financial leadership; superintendent/school board relations; resume, credentials, and hiring process; and the rewards and challenges of the superintendency.

  • Pathways to the Superintendency Workshops: This one-day workshop provides a deeper dive into the critical topics faced by superintendents on a daily basis: board relations, financial leadership/budgeting, communications, human resources/personnel, and district culture.

  • Future Superintendents Academy (FSA): A comprehensive and competitive program to prepare high level administrators aspiring to become superintendents within the next few years. This program requires a year-long commitment, as participants are required to attend a summer institute and eight weekend sessions throughout the year. FSA focuses on communications; change, systems and planning; governance; financial leadership; human resources; instructional leadership; and the search process.2023-2024 Future Superintendents Academy Brochure .

  • Cabinet Institutes: Pre-conference sessions offered prior to the opening of the Fall Leadership Summit and the Winter Institute, they provide an opportunity for cabinet-level administrators to convene, share best practices and learn more about topics of interest.

  • Cabinet Leadership Summit: Our annual summit designed to bring assistant and deputy superintendents, directors and principals together to promote community and share knowledge with colleagues from across New York State.
Cabinet Level Programs

Financial Leadership Series

Questions?

Contact:
Vreneli G. Banks
Associate Director
Director of LEAF, Inc.
vren@nyscoss.org
T:  518.694.4875
The Financial Leadership Series for School Superintendents and their teams is offered several times a year and focuses:

  • on long-range planning,
  • maximizing resources using district analytics, and
  • best practices for capital projects, budget development and budget communication.
Financial Leadership Series

New Superintendents Institute

Questions?

Contact:
Vreneli G. Banks  
Associate Director
Director of LEAF, Inc.
vren@nyscoss.org
T:  518.694.4875

The New Superintendents Institute is specifically designed for first year superintendents or superintendents new to New York State.

It consists of sessions throughout the year focused on topics identified by experienced and new superintendents that are critical to the success of a new district leader.

Topics throughout the series include, but are not limited to:

  • developing strong superintendent and school board relationships; 
  • financial leadership and budget development; 
  • communications and district culture; 
  • ethics and leadership responsibilities;
  • the superintendent's role as district advocate; 
  • labor relations and negotiations. 

The program is facilitated by Dr. Douglas Huntley, retired superintendent and topics are presented by experienced superintendents and experts in the field.

There are five sessions held from August - March. New superintendents may opt to attend individual sessions or all five sessions. View upcoming sessions here.  

New Superintendents Institute

Early Career Superintendents Institute

Questions?

Contact:
Vreneli G. Banks
Associate Director
Director of LEAF, Inc.
E: vren@nyscoss.org
T:  518.694.4875

The Early Career Superintendents Institute is specifically designed by and for superintendents in their early years of the superintendency.

Featured topics are chosen by participants every year. 

The program offers practical advice from veteran superintendents and experts in the field and provides time to reflect on professional practice.

Sessions are offered as pre-conference events prior to the Fall Leadership Summit and the Winter Institute
Early Career Superintendents Institute

The Council's Women's Initiative

Questions?

Contact:
Vreneli G. Banks
Associate Director
Director of LEAF, Inc.
vren@nyscoss.org
T:  518.694.4875
The goal of The Women's Initiative is to support women leaders, identify women in education who have leadership potential and help those who aspire to leadership roles. In education, the teacher workforce is made up of over 77% women, yet in the superintendency that number is about 27%.

We strive to support and cultivate leadership potential of women in their organizations. Through this initiative, we provide opportunities for women and men to learn the importance of increasing the numbers of women in leadership. We encourage creating supportive networks for personal and professional growth.

Thank you to our Title Sponsor Signature Partner New York Schools Insurance Reciprocal (NYSIR)  for their support of this initiative.
Women's Initiative

The Council's Commission on Diversity & Inclusivity

Questions?

Contact:
Vreneli G. Banks
Associate Director
Director of LEAF, Inc.
vren@nyscoss.org
T:  518.694.4875
The Council, as the primary membership organization in New York State for superintendents, has established a Vision and Core Values. Among these values, The Council "is committed to helping ensure gender, racial and economic equality among those serving as superintendent." It is our goal to cultivate diversity, among our members, to reflect equity in the superintendency of currently underrepresented populations.

To compliment the work currently underway with The Women's Initiative, the Commission on Diversity & Inclusivity will focus efforts on racial equity; and is charged with:
  • Gathering and reviewing relevant and current research to assist in identifying factors that contribute to the lack of diversity among members of New York State Council of School Superintendents;
  • Identifying specific strategies which support a pipeline for diverse groups toward the superintendency;
  • Establishing collaborative efforts with other professional educational organizations to support the goal;
  • Creating a sustained effort to support the success of superintendents who represent diversity in our membership.

Thank you to our Title Sponsor Signature Partner Utica National Insurance Group for supporting this important initiative.
The Council's Commission on Diversity & Inclusivity

Raymond R. Delaney Memorial Scholarship

The Raymond R. Delaney Memorial Scholarship was inaugurated during the centennial year of The Council in 1983 in honor of "100 Years of Educational Leadership." In 1990, it was renamed as the Raymond R. Delaney Annual Memorial Scholarship in memory of a past president of NYSCOSS.

2022 Raymond R. Delaney Memorial Scholarship Award Presentation

The 2022 Raymond R. Delaney Memorial Scholarship was presented to Jessica W. Poyer, Director of Teaching, Learning and Personnel, Norwich City School District. Norwich Superintendent Scott Ryan said “Jessica demonstrates leadership on many levels. Her drive to rethink, redesign, and refine structures and supports that impact learning is unrivaled and something I truly admire.”

This scholarship was presented on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, during the Closing Ideas Keynote of the 2022 Fall Leadership Summit and was sponsored by Signature Partner Utica National Insurance Group.

Pictured L to R: NYSCOSS Executive Director Chuck Dedrick; Norwich Superintendent Scott Ryan; Commercial Lines Underwriting Specialist Jon Perry, Utica National Insurance Group; Jessica Poyer; and NYSCOSS President Martha Group, Superintendent, Vernon Verona Sherrill School District.

2023 Scholarship Process 

The scholarship is awarded annually to one individual enrolled in a graduate study program through which a School District Administrator Certificate or Doctoral Degree may be earned. Applicants must be nominated by an active superintendent of The Council with this nomination form . Please complete the nomination form and e-mail to Deidre Hungerford at deidre@nyscoss.org by June 30, 2023. NYSCOSS will  contact each applicant directly. Candidates are responsible for sending their completed applications in by Monday, July 24, 2023.

The Distinguished Service Committee, composed of current Council presidents and past presidents who are active superintendents, screens all applications and credentials for selection of one candidate. The scholarship winner will be recognized in-person at our 2023 Fall Leadership Summit.

Special thanks to Signature Partner Utica National Insurance Group for their sponsorship of this scholarship.

Selection Criteria:

1.
Promise for continued success as a school or district administrator or leader, as evidenced by the quality of the candidate's education, references, and previous or current experience in an administrative or supervisory role.
     
2. Readiness to grow administratively in the field of education and the likelihood that the candidate may serve in the superintendency during his/her career.

3. Enrollment in a graduate study program leading to the School District Administrator Certificate or Doctor Degree.

4. Currently employed teachers are eligible under some, but not all circumstances. Teachers who work part time in administrative or leadership roles may be considered. For example, teachers who serve as department chairs, academic facilitators, summer school or program principals or directors, coordinators and/or directors of adult or continuing education. Teachers who have assumed a leadership role such as a staff developer, full-time technology support staff or coordinator, or full-time subject matter specialists who works as a department chairs may also be considered. Teachers who have no track record in a continuing administrative or leadership role will not be eligible. 

5. Financial need.

6. Superintendents are not eligible.

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

Raymond R. Delaney Memorial Scholarship

Dr. Mary Barter Scholarship 

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.

2023 Dr. Mary Barter Scholarship

Meghan McGourty
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction
Warwick Valley Central School District

 
NYSCOSS honored Meghan McGourty, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction at Warwick Valley, with the 2023 Dr. Mary Barter Scholarship.

Meghan was selected by the Dr. Mary Barter Selection Committee based on her submitted credentials. Her superintendent David Leach wrote that “Meghan is respected by her colleagues and loved by her students for her commitment to their learning and for her ability to form strong relationships with them.” Meghan also created a “Women in Leadership” series for students in senior Leadership classes to explore contributions of female leaders throughout history who have left an indelible mark on the world. She aspires to be a superintendent to make a significant and lasting impact on the education of students. She is pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership in Manhattanville College. 

The scholarship was presented during the Closing Ideas Keynote on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Special thanks to partner Student EI for sponsoring this year's scholarship. Pictured with Meghan is Executive Director Chuck Dedrick; Kelsey Rosell, CEO from Student EI; Superintendent David Leach, Warwick Valley CSD; District Superintendent Gladys I. Cruz, Questar III BOCES and Dr. Mary Barter Scholarship Chair; and NYSCOSS President Martha K. Group, Superintendent, VVS School District. 

2024 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.

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 2nd for the 2024 award. Candidates are then responsible for sending all required documentation and the completed application for the award by Friday, January 19, 2024.

Criteria for Selection
  1. The scholarship was created to encourage diversity among educational leaders. Practicing school superintendents are not eligible.
  2. Must show promise for success as a school administrator as evidenced by the quality of the candidate’s education, experience, and references.
  3. 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).
  4. 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.
  5. 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

Dr. Mary Barter Scholarship

Mary Alice Price Scholarship

The Mary Alice Price Scholarship, formerly the Future Superintendents Academy Scholarship, was renamed to honor Mary Alice Price, the first President of the LEAF, Inc. Board of Directors for her numerous years of service to The Council and dedication to education.

As a needs-based scholarship, it's awarded annually to an individual who has been accepted in the Future Superintendents Academy and covers tuition for the program. One scholarship, in the amount of $2,850 is awarded.

The Future Superintendents Academy is a comprehensive program to prepare high level administrators aspiring to become superintendents in the next few years. The program requires a year-long commitment, beginning in July and concluding in May. Participants are required to attend a summer institute and eight weekend sessions throughout the year. The program includes critical topics relevant to the superintendency such as communications; change, systems and planning; governance; financial leadership; human resources; instructional leadership; and the search and interview process.

For more information contact:

Vreneli G. Banks 
Associate Director / Director of LEAF, Inc.

E: vren@nyscoss.org
T:  518.694.4875
Twitter:  @VreneliBanks / #NYSCOSSFSA

Mary Alice Price Scholarship

LEAF, Inc. Leadership Coaching

It has never been more important than it is today to support our school leaders.

The challenges leaders face today are more complex than ever and leaders are facing unprecedented issues in an ever-changing environment.

In response, LEAF, Inc. has created a Leadership Coaching program to support school leaders through the state.

Is Coaching for You?

Interested in learning more about finding a coach or becoming a coach?

E-mail Mike Ford

Testimonial

Coaching Matters

The research of effective professional learning practices has been clear for decades. The most effective form of professional learning is job embedded, needs based, and personalized. That is exactly how coaching is designed.
— Mike Ford, Director of Leadership Development, LEAF, Inc. Leadership Coaching