Middle States Association Honors Former Hallen School Director

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools announced today that Priscilla Feir, Ph.D, most recently director of The Hallen School in New Rochelle, N,Y., is this year’s recipient of the Susan K. Nicklas Outstanding Volunteer Award.

“Dr. Feir has been a dedicated volunteer since 1997 when she began consulting with schools working toward accreditation,” said Henry G. Cram, Ed.D., president of the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools. “She is a talented educator, thoughtful and deeply devoted to improving education systems so that all students may succeed.”

Feir began her career in education in 1975 as a dual certified regular and special education teacher. She has since served as an education consultant, elementary school principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent for school districts in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. She has also taught as an adjunct professor at several area universities.

Feir recently retired from her role as director of The Hallen School, an approved private school for children with special needs since 2008.

“I am honored to accept the Susan K. Nicklas Outstanding Volunteer Award for my work with Middle States Association,” said Feir. “I am deeply supportive of Middle States accreditation process, which enables schools to effectively evaluate their performance, plan for the future and provide their students access to the best education possible.

“I believe a school willing to openly share their practices in a peer review process demonstrates the ultimate commitment for continuous improvements for students, staff and community,” Feir added.

Presented annually, the 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 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.

The Middle States Association formally presented Feir with the award at its bi-annual meeting in Philadelphia, Pa. on Oct. 2.