Dr. James Sims Receives AdvancED Excellence in Education Award

The AdvancED Oregon Council has named Dr. James Sims this year’s recipient of the Excellence in Education Award for his outstanding leadership in promoting and advancing excellence in education.

The actual inscription on this award reads, “Leading by Example - For leading and empowering your community to ensure that all learners reach their full potential.  For creating and initiating change, growth and innovation to create a world of opportunities for every learner.  For pursuing and advancing excellence in education with equity and integrity.  Thank you for your exemplary leadership in education.”

James has made a positive difference for many schools, many principals and many students.  His career in education has included serving as a teacher, school principal, district office administrator and assistant superintendent.  James also has served on numerous boards, associations and state task forces.  Most recently he has served as a School Improvement Coach with Education Northwest.  Kindness, caring and helping improve services to literally thousands of students have marked his career.  Dr. James Sims accepts his recent Excellence In Education Award at Education NW meeting.

Colleagues who have worked for years with James had these things to say:

• "He’s deliberate and thoughtful in his actions."
• "He has a way of saying what needs to be said in a way that causes others to pause and listen."
• "He validates other’s work when it is headed in the right direction and guides others in that direction when they have veered off the path."
• "He has high standards for himself and others and has been a steady, positive force in the network since he began working with schools."

 We thank James for all of his many contributions, and we are pleased to be able to honor him with this award!

External Review Update

Dr. Darst speaks to Lead Evaluators at a                recent training session.

Do you want to learn the new External Review Process? If so, we have an opportunity for you.

Approximately 75 Oregon schools will host External Reviews during the 2014-2015 school year.  Lead Evaluators have been assigned, and now we are seeking additional team members to serve on review teams throughout the state.  This is a great opportunity to truly learn how the new AdvancED Accreditation Process works. Contact Donna Coutts at 503.480.7210 if you are interested!

Is it time for your External Review?  As a reminder, External Reviews are the on-site reviews required of all AdvancED accredited schools every five years.  If you are not sure what year your next review is, contact us and we will provide you with that information!  With the new process, it is vital that you begin preparing early for your review. Please contact our office today.