Awards & Criteria

Each year, SAANYS celebrates exceptional New York State administrators with a state awards program in their honor. This program was established to recognize educators who demonstrate outstanding leadership skills and have made exceptional contributions to the educational process. SAANYS is proud to highlight member accomplishments and share their successes. In addition to the qualifications for the specific awards listed below, applicants must be a member in good standing of SAANYS as of the date they submit their completed application(s) and must submit at least two (2) letters of recommendation.

This year’s nomination process has closed but please consider nominating a colleague for the 2025 awards program online here. For more information on the SAANYS awards program, please contact Holly Bell at hbell@saanys.org.

Leadership and Support Award

The SAANYS Leadership and Support Award was established to recognize the outstanding leadership efforts of those members whose responsibilities require leadership through support services to fellow administrators across and between buildings and districts. Such administrators may be employed by BOCES or in other cooperative efforts. These positions include non-instructional and support positions that promote and encourage collaboration among multiple buildings and/or districts.

Outstanding Educator Award

This award is given annually to a SAANYS member who has made outstanding contributions in New York State schools. Potential criteria include: outstanding leadership in public education; outstanding leadership in professional organizations; exemplary service to professional organizations; and/or noteworthy writing and/or research in the field of education. Recognition of SAANYS members of various roles, responsibilities, and titles is encouraged.

Leader in Digital Education Award

This award recognizes a SAANYS member who has demonstrated exceptional, creative leadership in harnessing the potential of technology to further teaching and student achievement. The candidate will have demonstrated excellent organizational and communication skills in supporting and promoting such innovative digital practices for his/her learning community.

Irving Schwartz (Retiree)

Irving Schwartz was one of the founding members of SAANYS. As a NASSP coordinator, he served on the SAANYS Board of Directors through 1994. He supported SAANYS as a Nassau County regional representative for many years, retiring in 1999. This award is given to a SAANYS member who, in retirement, has made significant contributions to the welfare of the association, public education, and/or the greater community.

Essential Service Leader Award

This award is designed to recognize the invaluable services provided to public education by Civil Service supervisors, administrators, managers, and support personnel that keep our schools and BOCES a safe, effective, and welcoming environment for the students and staff. The award winner shall be a civil service employee of a school district or BOCES serving in a provisional, probationary, or permanent capacity, who has demonstrated their dedication to the public education system by maintaining the fundamental systems and facilities necessary for the safe and efficient running of our schools.

Friend of Education Award

This award was established to honor an individual who, or a group or organization that, has contributed to the general support and advancement of outstanding public school education in New York State.

This individual, group, or organization:

Is not a professional educator or educational organization within the K-12 NYS public school system.
Has contributed to the support and advancement of outstanding public school education in a way that extends to the broadest number of students in one or more of SAANYS regions.
Has been a role model for educators and non-educators by consistently demonstrating a belief in the importance and value of a public school education.
Has made these contributions over an extended period of time.

SAANYS is the official state affiliate to the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and their annual awards programs.

SAANYS/NAESP Elementary School Assistant Principal Award

This program promotes educational excellence for elementary level schooling and calls attention to the fundamental importance of the assistant principal. Criteria:

The nominee must be a NAESP member for at least one year at the time of the nomination.
The nominee must be an active assistant principal for at least two years at the elementary level.
The nominee sets the pace, character, and quality of education for the children in the school.
The nominee has made a commitment to parents and the community.
The nominee has shown evidence of outstanding contributions to the community and the educational process.

SAANYS/NAESP Middle School Assistant Principal Award

This program promotes educational excellence for middle level schooling and calls attention to the fundamental importance of the assistant principal. Criteria:

The nominee must be a NAESP member for at least one year at the time of the nomination.
The nominee must be an active assistant principal for at least two years at a middle school.
The nominee sets the pace, character, and quality of education for the children in the school.
The nominee has made a commitment to parents and the community.
The nominee has shown evidence of outstanding contributions to the community and the educational process.

SAANYS/NAESP Elementary School Principal Award

This award is given annually to a SAANYS/NAESP member who has distinguished herself/himself as an elementary school principal. Criteria:

The nominee must be a NAESP member for at least one year at the time of the nomination.
The nominee must be a practicing principal with at least five years in the principalship.
The nominee sets the pace, character, and quality of education for the children in the school.
The nominee is a practicing principal who is committed to excellence.
The nominee has made a commitment to parents and the community.
The nominee has shown evidence of outstanding contributions to the community and the educational process.

SAANYS/NAESP Middle School Principal Award

This award is given annually to a SAANYS and NAESP member who has distinguished herself/himself as a high school assistant principal. Criteria:

The nominee must be a NAESP member for at least one year at the time of the nomination.
The nominee must be a practicing principal with at least five years in the principalship.
The nominee sets the pace, character, and quality of education for the children in the school.
The nominee is a practicing principal who is committed to excellence.
The nominee has made a commitment to parents and the community.
The nominee has shown evidence of outstanding contributions to the community and the educational process.

SAANYS/NASSP Middle School Assistant Principal Award

This award is given annually to a SAANYS and NASSP member who has distinguished herself/himself as a middle school assistant principal. Criteria:

The nominee must join NASSP on or before the date the award is conferred by SAANYS.
The nominee sets the pace, character, and quality of education for the children in the school.
The nominee is a practicing assistant principal who is committed to excellence.
The nominee has made a commitment to parents and the community.
The nominee has shown evidence of outstanding contributions to the community and the educational process.

SAANYS/NASSP High School Assistant Principal Award

This award is given annually to a SAANYS and NASSP member who has distinguished herself/himself as a high school assistant principal. Criteria:

The nominee must join NASSP on or before the date the award is conferred by SAANYS.
The nominee sets the pace, character, and quality of education for the children in the school.
The nominee is a practicing assistant principal who is committed to excellence.
The nominee has made a commitment to parents and the community.
The nominee has shown evidence of outstanding contributions to the community and the educational process.

SAANYS/NASSP Middle School Principal of the Year Award

This award is given annually to a SAANYS/NASSP member who has distinguished herself/himself as a school principal (middle or high school level). Criteria:

The nominee must join NASSP on or before the date the award is conferred by SAANYS.
The nominee must be a practicing middle school principal for at least three consecutive years at the time of selection.
The nominee sets the pace, character, and quality of education for the children in the school.
The nominee is a practicing principal who is committed to excellence.
The nominee has made a commitment to parents and the community.
The nominee has shown evidence of outstanding contributions to the community and the educational process.

SAANYS/NASSP High School Principal of the Year Award