OCEANSIDE, CA- Glades County Schools Superintendent Dr. Beth Barfield brought home three awards presented at the National Association of School Superintendents' (NASS) annual awards dinner on Oct. 7 in Oceanside, California.

Dr. Barfield, who leads one of Florida's smallest rural districts, was recognized alongside superintendents from across the United States. Her three honors awards were Power Leadership for Districts Under 2,500 Students, Finesse and Agility, and Runner-Up for National Superintendent of the Year

Dr. Barfield was one of three national finalists for the top honor, National Superintendent of the Year, which went to Thomas Scarice, superintendent of Westport Public Schools in Connecticut. Scarice also won the award for Excellence in Technology and AI.

Glades County Schools superintendent Dr. Beth Barfield with her three awards from the National Association of School Superintendents' annual awards dinner [Photo courtesy Glades County Schools]

In a statement following the ceremony, Barfield called the evening "a milestone in my career and an incredible moment to represent Glades County on the national stage."

"To be recognized among exceptional superintendents from across this nation is an extraordinary honor," she said. "Being named Runner-Up for National Superintendent of the Year is something I will treasure for the rest of my life."

Barfield also congratulated Scarice on being named National Superintendent of the Year, calling it an outstanding achievement.

The two categories Dr. Barfield won outright recognize distinct strengths. Finesse and Agility honors a superintendent's skill at understanding and managing differing needs, expectations and viewpoints. Power Leadership for Districts Under 2,500 Students honors overall leadership excellence in a small district.

NASS is a national professional organization for school district superintendents. It launched in 2009 to give superintendents a network of peers to turn to for guidance, and its stated mission is to advance the individual and collective success of superintendents. Members include current, retired and aspiring superintendents from districts across the country.