FOR RELEASE: October 24, 2025
Susan Bergtraum, a member of the Nassau BOCES Board of Trustees since 2006, was honored with the New York State School Boards Association’s (NYSSBA) President’s Award at the Association’s Annual Convention and Education Expo in New York City in October.
The NYSSBA President’s Award recognizes individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the betterment of public education in New York. NYSSBA’s current president, Sandra Ruffo of the Broome-Tioga BOCES board, selected Bergtraum for the honor and presented the award at the 2025 Convention Opening Session on Oct. 24.
"Throughout Susan’s 35 years as a board of education member, she has advocated tirelessly for students on the local, state and national levels, making ongoing board development a priority and providing exemplary leadership on the local and state level," said Ruffo. "In my eyes, she is the epitome of an exceptional board member and most deserving of the President's Award."
As a member of the Nassau BOCES Board of Trustees, Bergtraum served as president from 2019 until 2024 as well as vice president and district clerk. Previously, she served on the East Williston School Board from 1991 through 2006, including five years as president. She is a former president and vice president of the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association (N-SSBA) and currently sits on N-SSBA's Executive and Legislation Committees.
In 2016 and 2017, Bergtraum served as the New York State School Boards Association's president. Prior to being elected NYSSBA president, she served as NYSSBA’s vice president and Area 11 director (representing Nassau County). She also chaired NYSSBA’s Policy and Bylaws Committee, the Operations Committee, the Awards Committee and a Task Force on Student Health and Safety.
Bergtraum is the co-Founder and a Trustee of the East Williston Education Foundation. In 2011, she received the Nassau BOCES Education Partner Award in recognition of her commitment to public education. Other awards include the Friends of Education Award, the Council of Administrators and Supervisors Award, the N-SSBA's Presidential Award and the Long Island Crisis Center’s Person of the Year 2015
Bergtraum earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Queens College, earning a bachelor’s in education and a masters in school psychology. She taught in New York City and Washington, D.C.
For a photo of Susan Bergtraum, click here.