State Senator Shelley Mayer, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, honored 18 exceptional educators from across the 37th Senate District with her 2026 Outstanding Educator Award at a ceremony at Scarsdale High School. The award recognizes educators who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to their students, schools, and communities through their leadership, innovation, and dedication to education. Each honoree was nominated by their school principal or superintendent. 

During the ceremony, Senator Mayer led a roundtable discussion, providing an opportunity to learn more about their work, the innovative approaches that distinguish them, and the meaningful impact they are making in their schools and communities. Educators shared their experiences and ways they are helping strengthen the communities they serve. Senator Mayer then awarded each educator with a proclamation recognizing their impact.

Among those honored was Oren Iosepovici, from Scarsdale Union Free School District, known for his incredible and far-reaching stewardship of the counseling program and comprehensive approach within his department to supporting students at Scarsdale High School. Iosepovici has skillfully been guiding students as a Dean for the past 18 years and leading the Counseling Department as Director for the last 10. As Director of Counseling, he led a sophisticated sequence of consequential events, activities, conversations, and decisions that have a direct impact on students’ futures, helping earn them admission to a diverse array of prestigious colleges and universities.

Senator Shelley Mayer said, “I am proud to present the 2026 Outstanding Educator Awards to 18 exceptional educators from across the 37th Senate District. These teachers, counselors, and school professionals represent the very best of public education in New York. As Chair of the Senate Education Committee, I am continually inspired by the extraordinary work happening in our schools. It was a privilege to hear directly from these educators about their experiences, their classroom innovations, and the impact they have every day on their students’ lives.

“Thank you to Superintendent Dr. Drew Patrick, Principal Kenneth Bonamo, and the entire Scarsdale High School community for graciously hosting this celebration and helping us honor these outstanding educators.”