M.A.S.S. has presented the 2025 Dr. Christos Daoulas Award to Barbara Malkas, Ed.D.
Dr. Malkas retired last month after a career in education spanning more than 40 years, most recently as Superintendent of the North Adams Public Schools.
Dr. Mary Bourque, Executive Director of M.A.S.S., presented the award at the Paul J. Andrews Summer Executive Institute in Mashpee. Dr. Bourque noted that Dr. Malkas has served as a district leader in urban, suburban, rural, and vocational technical education districts.
“In each district, Barbara has improved the quality of education for all students, particularly those representing underserved populations,” said Dr. Bourque. “Beyond her many achievements in the districts where she has served, Barbara has an impressive resume of local, regional and statewide contributions to the field of education, and particularly, in supporting her superintendent colleagues.”
Dr. Malkas began her career as a science teacher and went on to serve as an educator and administrator at the school and district levels in various communities in Central and Western Massachusetts. She served as Superintendent of the Webster Public Schools from 2012 to 2016 and served Superintendent in North Adams for the past nine years. She also has taught as an Adjunct Instructor at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts School of Education since 2010.
Dr. Malkas has been active in M.A.S.S. for many years. She became involved with the association through the New Superintendent Induction Program (NSIP). She served for nine years on the M.A.S.S. Executive Committee, including serving as President during the 2023-2024 school year. She has participated on the association’s Standing Committee on Racial Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (REDI) since its inception. During the upcoming school year, Dr. Malkas will serve as a Superintendent Facilitator in the new M.A.S.S. Superintendent Support Network (MSSN).
She also serves as Board Treasurer for the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition and Board President for the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition.
“It is particularly special to be nominated and selected by your peers for acknowledgement,” said Dr. Malkas. “Over the years I have watched other superintendents who were truly outstanding be recognized with this award – leaders I admired for their contributions to the field. They have served as role models and inspiration for the work that I have tried to emulate. Now, I feel the responsibility to be a role model to the next generation of education leaders for the challenging work that they do and to provide the support needed to be successful. I hope future award recipients will feel the incredible honor of the Christos Daoulas award and will also want to demonstrate the legacy of compassionate and inspirational leadership for the generations to come.”
Dr. Malkas has earned numerous awards and recognitions throughout her career, including Massachusetts Superintendent of the Year in 2024. Earlier this year, M.A.S.S. presented Dr. Malkas the Dr. Bobbie D’Alessandro Leadership Award at the 20th Annual Women’s Educational Leadership Network (WELN) Conference.
The award is named in memory of Dr. Christos Daoulas, who served as Superintendent of the Dracut Public Schools from 1962 to 2000 and is remembered as a champion for students and families in his community. Dr. Daoulas also served on the M.A.S.S. Executive Committee and led the Harvard Roundtable for Superintendents. M.A.S.S. presents the award annually to a Superintendent for outstanding service to the association and the profession, particularly one who demonstrates skill in communication as a district leader.
For more about Dr. Malkas’ distinguished career, read the Superintendent Spotlight M.A.S.S. published about her last fall.