Maya Lerner, library media/educational technology department head and staff developer at Great Neck North High School, is the recipient of the New York Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS) 2026 Dr. Mary Barter Scholarship. Ms. Lerner was presented her award during the NYSCOSS Winter Institute Closing Keynote in Albany on March 3.

 “Maya is a consummate educator whose passion, intellect, and innovation have profoundly shaped teaching and learning in the Great Neck Public Schools and beyond,” praised GNPS Superintendent of Schools and NYSCOSS President Elect Dr. Kenneth R. Bossert.

Ms. Lerner was selected for this award for her deep commitment to education and helping students build skills that last—including the ability to learn, relearn and adapt in an age of ever-changing technology. Ms. Lerner puts this into practice not only through her building-level responsibilities as a department chair and staff developer, but also through her leadership roles on district-wide committees focusing on technology, media literacy, curriculum development and more.

Named in honor of Dr. Mary Barter, the first female president of NYSCOSS, this $2,000 scholarship is awarded annually to one educator in New York State who demonstrates extraordinary leadership skills and is pursuing a graduate study program for a doctoral degree and/or certification as a school district administrator. Ms. Lerner is currently working toward her Doctor of Education degree (Ed.D.) at Long Island University in the Transformational Leadership program with a focus on Information Science.