An Upstate New York educator has won an award after a U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement raid disrupted her school and community earlier this year.
Jennifer Gaffney, superintendent of the Sackets Harbor Central School District in the North Country, was named Superintendent of the Year for 2026 by the New York State Council of School Superintendents. She will also represent New York as the state’s official nominee for National Superintendent of the Year, awarded by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) in February.
The NYSCOSS praised Gaffney for her “visionary yet practical leadership” including the creation of a support center for social-emotional, mental health and academic services, as well as her “courage, compassion, and conviction through two major challenges – the COVID-19 pandemic and a regional immigration crisis – grounding her district’s response in student-centered values and transparent, inclusive communication. Her calm, principled leadership during these critical moments, paired with her unyielding commitment to doing what’s best for students, earned her Superintendent of the Year nominations in 2021 and again in 2025.”
Gaffney was among the officials who denounced ICE’s “enhanced targeted operations” that arrested multiple people at a dairy farm in Jefferson County, including a woman and her three children, in March. The kids, who were students in Gaffney’s district at an elementary school and high school, were sent to Texas with their mother and returned to Sackets Harbor after more than a week in custody.
The award was announced Monday. Gaffney will be formally honored during The Council’s Winter Institute, scheduled for March 2026 in Albany.
“In a time when visionary leadership is more critical than ever, Jennifer Gaffney exemplifies creative thinking, a strong work ethic, resourcefulness, and an unwavering student-centered approach. Jennifer’s commitment to students, educators, and the future of education embodies the very spirit of this award,” said NYSCOSS President Dr. Donna DeSiato, who also serves as Superintendent of the East Syracuse Minoa Central School District. “It is an honor to recognize a leader whose impact will be felt for generations.”
According to the NYSCOSS, Gaffney’s vision is “to develop compassionate, confident, and engaged individuals who are ready to lead and succeed in an ever-evolving world.” Her district’s strategic goals include engaging all students in meaningful, future-ready learning; promoting a safe and inclusive environment; recruiting, developing and retaining exceptional teachers; and building family, community and business partnerships.
“These goals aren’t just strategic, they’re personal,” said Gaffney, who lives with her husband and three children in the Jefferson County town of Adams. “They reflect our shared belief that every student deserves to be seen, heard, supported, and empowered – and that every member of our school team plays an essential role in shaping the collective future of our communities.”