Last night Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Fecher was pleased to share with the Board and meeting attendees an honor bestowed on Superintendent Dr. Amy Sichel. Last week, Dr. Sichel was honored as the recipient of the Margaret Smith Leadership Award.
Dr. Fecher explained that the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) Women’s Caucus annually selects a recipient of the Margaret Smith Leadership Award. This honor is awarded each spring to a woman administrator who has proven leadership in education. The award is named for Dr. Margaret Smith, a former superintendent in Pennsylvania and former PA Secretary of Education. The recipient is recognized at the annual Women’s Caucus Spring Conference.
Dr. Margaret Smith, for whom the award is named, traveled to Pennsylvania from Florida to present Dr. Sichel with this award at the conference. Dr. Smith said, “When I think of Amy, the word “bodacious” comes to my mind. During her many years as an educational leader, she has led with a bold and audacious vision of a bright future for each and every student. I am so proud of Amy’s commitment to narrow the achievement gap for historically under-represented students.”
Dr. Sichel has definitely proven leadership in education. Dr. Fecher noted that she has had a rich and robust career of 41 years serving Abington School District. She began as an elementary counselor, then school psychologist, then Director of Pupil Services, then Assistant Superintendent, and currently the Superintendent for the past 17 years. In addition, she has been an adjunct associate professor in the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. She has pages and pages of publications and presentations at the state and national Level. Dr. Sichel’s numerous honors and recognitions include those from the Governor, Legislature, and even from a national technology publication. She was one of four finalists across the country for the AASA Women in School Leadership Award, and is truly a role model for women in educational administration.
Among Dr. Sichel’s greatest accomplishments was being selected as Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year and as President of the Pennsylvania Association of School Superintendents. Dr. Sichel also served as president of the AASA – The School Superintendents Association – a distinguished national post.
It is for these prestigious accomplishments and many more that the Margaret Smith Leadership Award was bestowed upon Dr. Sichel. We are extremely proud of Dr. Sichel for this accomplishment and for bringing honor to the Abington School District. Dr. Fecher stated “Dr. Sichel’s leadership inspires us to work hard, face challenges head on, and lead with our students at the forefront of our actions.”
Shown in the photographs are of Dr. Smith presenting the award to Dr. Sichel at the PASA Women’s Caucus Spring Conference and Dr. Sichel standing with Dr. Fecher, being recognized at the School Board meeting this week.