Kaitlin Ring, Southwestern Elementary School principal, is pictured receiving the Past Presidents Scholarship Award recently from the state Council of School Superintendents.

ALBANY – Kaitlin Ring, principal of Southwestern Elementary School since 2022, received the Past Presidents Scholarship Award from the New York State Council of School Superintendents at its 2025 Winter Institute & Lobby Day in Albany recently.

“This is a well-deserved honor,” said Maureen Donahue, Southwestern superintendent who was on hand during the award presentation during the closing ideas keynote. “Kaitlin demonstrates a deep commitment to our students on a day-to-day basis. She has worked incredibly hard since joining our team and this scholarship will help her realize her goals.”

The purpose of the scholarship is to provide financial assistance to individuals interested in pursuing a higher educational degree or certification leading to credentials for acquiring or furthering their position as a public-school administrator serving in a district-wide position. “She believes effective leadership is essential to creating engaging educational experiences that empower students and support educators,” says NYCOSS in a statement noting Ring’s commitment to education and her experiences as a teacher and administrator for providing her with a firm understanding of the challenges facing schools and communities.

“I am so grateful to NYSCOSS for this opportunity,” says Ring, noting the scholarship – valued at $2,000 – supports her pursuit of a doctoral degree in educational leadership at St. Bonaventure University. “This award is meaningful to me for many reasons, and I am also thankful to my colleagues at Southwestern for helping me realize my goals.”