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Congratulations to Our Outstanding Volunteers!

By December 6, 2019December 30th, 2021No Comments

We are happy to announce the recipients of this year’s Susan K. Nicklas and F. Laird Evans Outstanding Volunteer Awards.

 
From Left to Right: MSA President Lisa Marie McCauley, Nancy Burke and MSA Commisioner Clay Petry

Nancy Burke, Ed.D., a longtime educator and the former principal of Trinity High School in Camp Hill, Pa., is a recipient of this year’s F. Laird Evans Outstanding Volunteer Award.

“Nancy’s professional experience and leadership style have made her an asset to Middle States and to our member schools,” said Lisa Marie McCauley, Ed.D., president of the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools. “Middle States volunteers share a passion for improving education and making a difference for schools and students throughout the world, and Nancy is proof of that.”

Burke, who served as Trinity High School’s principal until her retirement in 2009, has led teams of educators on visits to schools around the world, including Catholic, Islamic and charter schools and a school for the deaf.

In addition to serving as principal, Burke has held adjunct faculty positions at Harrisburg Area Community College in Harrisburg, Pa., and at Pennsylvania State University’s Harrisburg campus. Burke earned her undergraduate degree in biology and a doctorate in educational leadership from Immaculata University, Immaculata, Pa. She also holds a master of science degree in biology from Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, Pa.

F. Laird Evans is the former president of the Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools and an ardent supporter of school accreditation.

 
From Left to right:  MSA President Lisa Marie McCauley, Michael Smith and MSA Commissioner Michael Kuchar

Michael L. Smith, M.Ed., Director of the American School of Valencia, in Valencia, Spain, is the recipient of this year’s Susan K. Nicklas Outstanding Volunteer Award.

“Michael is a dedicated volunteer with Middle States, and we are grateful that he has been so willing to lend his time and expertise,” said Lisa Marie McCauley, Ed.D., President of the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools. “Michael recognizes how powerful it is for schools to work with their peers in education to share tips and tools for success, supporting each other throughout the accreditation process and beyond.”

Smith has led teams of educators on visits to schools in countries such as Kuwait, China, Spain, Moldova, Malta, Luxembourg and Germany. He is also a member of Middle States’ International Schools Advisory Committee, where he volunteers time twice annually to review and provide feedback on Middle States accreditation reports.

Prior to becoming Director of the American School in Valencia in 2013, Smith was Head of School for ES International School in Barcelona, Spain and Naples, Fla. Smith earned his bachelor’s degree in history from West Virginia University, Morgantown, W.Va., and his master’s degree in international education from Endicott College, based in Beverly, Mass.

Susan K. Nicklas served as the executive director of the Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools from 2002 to 2005 and spent nine years on staff prior to becoming director.

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