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The Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA) has selected Dr. Sharonica Hardin-Bartley, Superintendent of the School District of University City, as the recipient of the annual Robert L. Pearce Award for 2023.  A committee of her peers selected Dr. Hardin-Bartley.  Each of the eight MASA regions nominated a superintendent for the award.

Dr. Hardin-Bartley attained her undergraduate degree from Harris Stowe State University in 1996. In 2001 she attained her Master’s Degree in Education Administration from St. Louis University. She completed her Doctorate in Education Leadership and Policy Studies in 2014 from the University of Missouri – St. Louis.

Dr. Hardin-Bartley began her career in education administration as a principal at the St. Louis Public Schools and she continued as a Special Assistant and Chief Human Resources Officer for that district. Dr. Hardin-Bartley went on to serve as an assistant superintendent for the Ritenour School District. Dr. Hardin-Bartley has served as the Superintendent of the School District of University City from 2016 to the present.

In her application, Dr. Hardin-Bartley noted her personal philosophy is rooted in her “why.” Her “why” encompasses her passion for an equitable and just educational system where all children can thrive; it aligns with her passion for supporting the adults who work with our children in the classroom, on the school bus, on the field, and at home; and it is what motivates her to be focused on supporting children.

In her application for the Pearce Award, Dr. Hardin-Bartley discussed the tremendous challenge of educating young people during the COVID pandemic. She stated, “As a public educator, this was completely alien to me. My day-to-day work involves curricular and student experience aspects. I’m a teacher and learner at heart; I have prided myself on being the lead learner in my district. Now, I also had to be the lead expert in the district on everything related to COVID-19. Overnight, I had to pivot from how I operated as a leader and how I typically lead. In my district and nationally, I became a trusted leader -- one who valued safety, well-being, and academic support for students. I’m incredibly proud of our community and understand that our success was attributed to the collective team.”

Dr. Hardin-Bartley says a question she asks daily is, “How are the children? The well-being of our most vulnerable population, our children, is an all-of-us issue.” In the University City Schools, educators partner with students and families to provide social-emotional supports. Well-being specialists were hired to support all buildings; trauma-informed practices and training are embedded in the district’s professional development plan; parents and caregivers are seen as trusted partners and their child’s first teacher; student voices are valued and amplified; and the district is viewed as regional and national leaders in the area of child mental wellness.

Dr. Hardin-Bartley is an active member of the Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA). She is a member of the American Association of School Administrators’ Governing Board and serves as the MASA Greater St. Louis-Region President. Dr. Hardin-Bartley serves on the Missouri Education Commissioner Advisory Council, and she is a member of the MASA New Superintendent Mentoring Program.

Dr. Hardin-Bartley is active in a number of roles in her community including serving on the board for Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, the

Alive and Well Communities, the Magic House, the American Heart Association-St. Louis, and United Way-St. Louis.

The Pearce Award includes a monetary award to the recipient and a scholarship for a student in the district of the award winner.

Dr. Hardin-Bartley is the 37th recipient of the prestigious Robert L. Pearce Award.

Other 2023 Pearce Award Nominees, including their school districts and MASA Region:

Tracy Bottoms, Montgomery Co. R-II (Northeast)

Jamie Burkhart, Green Ridge R-VIII (West Central)

Dan Clemens, North Kansas City (Greater Kansas City)

Aaron Gerla, Ash Grove R-IV (Southwest)

Josh Hoener, New Haven (South Central)

Ashley McMillian, Central R-III (Southeast)

John Rinehart, West Platte County R-II (Northwest)

View the 2023 Spring Conference Program. 

App users -- we are in the process of fixing a technical problem regarding the conference program, but in the meantime, you may download the Program as a pdf below:

DOWNLOAD A PDF OF THE CONFERENCE PROGRAM. 

Membership in the Missouri Association of School Administrators shall consist of active, group, associate (individual and business), emeritus and honorary members. Only active members shall be eligible to vote and hold office. Each active member must declare membership in one MASA region for voting purposes.  Membership is for July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023. 

MASA Membership Categories (Each category has a specific online application form):

Active Membership - any person shall be eligible for active membership who serves as a Missouri public school superintendent, central office administrator of a public school, administrator of an education agency, association, college or university, or teacher preparing persons for a career in education or educational administration in these institutions.  MASA Active Dues = .007 of your 2022 - 2023 salary, rounded to the nearest dollar.  2022 - 2023 Active Membership Application

Group Membership - any superintendent who purchases an Active Membership may purchase an additional Group Membership for their school district. A Group Membership will include one additional active membership for the school district and any number of non-voting central office memberships, as submitted by the superintendent.  Group membership dues are tied directly to the superintendent's application and active membership.  2022 - 2023 Group Membership Application

Individual Associate Member - any person actively engaged in, or associated with, any phase of schoolwork or otherwise interested in educational administration in Missouri shall be eligible for associate membership in the Association. Individuals employed as administrators in Missouri public school districts shall not be eligible for associate membership.  Individual Education Associate member dues are $50.00 per year.  2022 - 2023 Individual Associate Member Application

Business Associate Member - any vendor or company who either markets products or services to the public schools or who wishes to provide support to public school superintendents through their professional association may become a business associate member.Business Associate membership dues are $300. per year.  If interested in becoming a Business Associate Member contact Melissa Shannon at melissa.shannon@mcsa.org or call 5734-638-4825.

Emeritus Member - any active member of MASA who retires from work in Missouri education shall be eligible for emeritus membership. This emeritus membership will expire should the member return to a position that qualifies for active membership.  There are no dues associated with this membership category.  

Honorary Member - the Executive Committee shall have authority to confer honorary membership in the Association.  There are no dues associated with this membership category.

Membership in the Association may be denied or rescinded by the Executive Committee or its designee when it is deemed to be in the best interest of the Association.