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Middle States Association Honors American School Of Valencia Director with Outstanding Volunteer Award

By October 15, 2019December 18th, 2021No Comments

We are pleased to announce that Michael 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.

Presented annually, the Susan K. Nicklas Outstanding Volunteer Award recognizes a dedicated volunteer who has advanced the mission of the Middle States Association to foster continuous school improvement through accreditation so all students receive the highest quality education possible. Volunteers serve on accreditation teams that evaluate schools based on an established set of protocols and standards designed to reflect best practices in education.

Nicklas served as the executive director of the Middle States Commissions on Secondary Schools from 2002 to 2005 and was a member of the staff since 1993. She remains a dedicated educator, who views accreditation as one of the most effective forms of evaluation available to schools.

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

“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.”

Prior to becoming director of the American School in Valencia in 2013, Smith was Head of School for ES International School in Barcelona, Spain. Smith earned his bachelor’s degree in history from West Virginia University, in Morgantown, W.Va., and his master’s degree in international education from Endicott College, based in Beverly, Mass.
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“This is a wonderful honor, and I am grateful to the entire team of staff and volunteers at Middle States for the important work they do. In Middle States, I have found an accreditation process that helps schools understand the impact they have on students while developing plans for continuous improvement. In the challenging field of education, accountability and high standards like these are critical.”— Michael Smith, M.Ed

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