The E-NSSA has been recognized by the Western New York Educational Service Council (WNYESC) with the distinguished Dr. Robert W. Heller Award. The Heller Award, initiated in 2014, recognizes a person or a group/association whose leadership, vision, and determination have made a positive impact on education within the eight-county region of Western New York. In addition, the award recipient has contributed to the WNYESC’s efforts to service its member districts. The WNYESC created this award in honor of the exceptional qualities and legacy of Dr. Robert W. Heller who served as the WNYESC Executive Director from 1966-1998 while also serving as a professor emeritus in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy in the SUNY University at Buffalo’s Graduate School of Education. During his tenure, Dr. Heller had a widespread influence on educational leadership in New York State.